WTF is Auto Make up doing in Reacomp.

[WhiskeyJack]

I don't even really know. I could google it but i'd rather ask you guys.

[musicturtle]

I do not use Reaper, but on most compressor plugs, Auto Make Up tries to match the input gain to the output gain after compression is applied. This way the compressed signal does not come out lower because of compression.

[Armistice]

I don't even really know. I could google it but i'd rather ask you guys.

Can you turn it off? My understanding is the same as [mention]musicturtle[/mention]'s but I don't have Reaper in front of me. Isn't it an optional tickbox? If it is, I've never used it as I want to control the gain myself, and that can be part of the reason to use a compressor in the first place.

[vomitHatSteve]

I believe you guys have it, but I can't say for sure because it's off by default, and I never use it.

I'm sure Kenny Goia explains it somewhere.

[rayc]

Makeup gain recovers the level often lost when using a compressor.
Oddly Kenny recommends using it but he doesn't explain it. This vid addresses it simply enough at the 5 minute mark...
[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbnPiPjyfXs[/BBvideo]

I was always too shy/naive/foolish to ask at HR about it so after playing with it and finding it made things TOO loud overall I stopped even considering it and used the WET slider to adjust overall level.
I know how it works a little better now but I still don't use it much.
This vid is shorter, not Reaper related, but also simpler to comprehend due to DIAGRAMS (always a plus for me).
[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXFlxuo4COY[/BBvideo]

[Greg_L]

I use the make up gain. I don't use "auto" make up gain though. I control it myself.

[rayc]

I use the make up gain. I don't use "auto" make up gain though. I control it myself.

Greg,
Is that using the wet slider?

[Greg_L]

Greg,
Is that using the wet slider?

I don't use Reacomp, but yes, I suppose you'd do it with the "wet" slider. I thought we were talking about make up gain in general. Compression will reduce your output after the compression, so you get it back by using make up gain.

[WhiskeyJack]

Greg,
Is that using the wet slider?

I don't use Reacomp, but yes, I suppose you'd do it with the "wet" slider. I thought we were talking about make up gain in general. Compression will reduce your output after the compression, so you get it back by using make up gain.

Hmm. I haven;'t watched the vids yet as i am just getting caught up but i was mussing about with the focusrite scarlett comp on the weekend and would i be correct in assuming that "the output" knob on that plug in could be considered makeup gain. I better toddle off and watch those vids [mention]rayc[/mention] linked me too.

[Greg_L]

Hmm. I haven;'t watched the vids yet as i am just getting caught up but i was mussing about with the focusrite scarlett comp on the weekend and would i be correct in assuming that "the output" knob on that plug in could be considered makeup gain. I better toddle off and watch those vids @rayc linked me too.

Yup, I'd imagine an output control is the same as make up gain.

[liv_rong]

This thread taught me something. I use mostly pre-sets for compression except for my snare.

[WhiskeyJack]

This thread taught me something. I use mostly pre-sets for compression except for my snare.

here is the thing. I used to do exactly that and i would make a few slight adjustments . But i rarely if ever heard any kind of positive or really noticeable difference sonically when i did that. I trying to learn how to use a compressor without starting from a preset, hence what made me ask this question. I heard a very noticeable and audible difference when i checked that box. Like it was a huge punch in the face. And i kind of liked it but i really need to know what it is doing because i don't want it to be harmful or take away from the mix either. I know there is a general rule of thumb that goes "if it sounds good it is good" but, i have had a real bad time with completely obliterating dynamics.

[Greg_L]

I always use compression for the sound it creates. I never use it for what it's actually supposed to be used for - controlling transients. I love compression squashing the shit out of vocals. I like it gently massaging drums. I don't like it at all on guitars. It's all about what it does for the sound for me.

[WhiskeyJack]

Great vids [mention]rayc[/mention] those were pretty helpful. I think i have a better understanding of what it is doing now. I think buddy nailed it when he said that it does the same thing as just sliding the fader up in the mixer. It would really sort of depend on the audio signal then, for when that little feature might be useful for. I think in most cases the gain can be made up by by using the fader rather then auto-make up if you have your gain staging done correctly. It could be handy for anything recorded at too low of a volumes or overly squashed anything.

This brings me to a segment i like to call "What i miss about Nuendo" I like that Nuendo would graphically show what your plugins were doing to the wave form. For example in that first video he brought in the bounced tracks with the compression applied to them so you could visually see what the comp was doing to the waveform. Nuendo just did it in the track layout right before your eyes. It would be cool to get reaper to do this.

[rayc]

I don't use Reacomp, but yes, I suppose you'd do it with the "wet" slider. I thought we were talking about make up gain in general. Compression will reduce your output after the compression, so you get it back by using make up gain.

Ah, we approach the secret sauce recipe ... what comp do you use?

[Greg_L]

Ah, we approach the secret sauce recipe ... what comp do you use?

It depends. On drums I like the Density MKIII. On vocals I like the Antress Modern or ADHD Leveling Tool. Ferric TDS or Modern Lost Angel on bass. Those are all pretty much my go-to compressors.

[rayc]

Thanks Greg,
as I'm re working an old track with your drums I'll give those comps a run if I can get the to operate in 64 that is.