PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Went back to try and use these again and I must say the VU meters are really usefull.
They show how long the release "stay" on reducing the sound and how fast the attack kicks in.

Very usefull

I don't think you talk about CompressorX. That meter is buggy. The mastering compressor confused me for a long time, because the meters go down to show how much the level is turned up.

So you can measure release times with you eyes???

Been a while since I used the MasterComp, but doesn't the meter show gain reduction like most compressors?

I don't really see the point in a meter showing gain reduction even altough it's common place. It's nothing more than a gimmic to let you see that something of relevance is actually happening, but our ears can do the same job much better than a low res meter. Who in there right mind would base anything on a few leds?

Personally no, I wouldn't base anything on a GR readout. It can be useful as a sanity check that something has been properly routed though, especially if you have a complex project (and if you got rather 'intoxicated' in your session...)

Just wanted to say that It's obviously not a bad thing to have a visual reference, but not essential, essentially. .

Immanuel wrote:
So you can measure release times with you eyes???

Yes of course you can.If the signal has been compressed and the release time is too long then compression level overhangs the next signal.If it's too short then it will pump.
This means the VU shows when the compression has been done and what it does with it.

Can't you see the attenuation LEDs in other compression?
Do you use your ears for that???

I would like to know how you can hear very quick releases and attacks such as used in drum hits

darkrezin wrote:Personally no, I wouldn't base anything on a GR readout. It can be useful as a sanity check that something has been properly routed though, especially if you have a complex project (and if you got rather 'intoxicated' in your session...)

I think they're important because you can set things quickly with them then fine tune with your ears.

<~Shroomz~> wrote:I don't really see the point in a meter showing gain reduction even altough it's common place. It's nothing more than a gimmic to let you see that something of relevance is actually happening, but our ears can do the same job much better than a low res meter. Who in there right mind would base anything on a few leds?

For me, I couldn't live without it! It tells me if the compressor is actually doing something. If the gain reduction meter is still, all I'm doing is turning up the signal and it's not compressing.

It's like looking at an EQ graph. Sure, you can EQ just fine with your ears, but it helps to see what the EQ is doing.

Shayne White wrote:

<Shroomz> wrote:I don't really see the point in a meter showing gain reduction even altough it's common place. It's nothing more than a gimmic to let you see that something of relevance is actually happening, but our ears can do the same job much better than a low res meter. Who in there right mind would base anything on a few leds?

For me, I couldn't live without it! It tells me if the compressor is actually doing something. If the gain reduction meter is still, all I'm doing is turning up the signal and it's not compressing.

It's like looking at an EQ graph. Sure, you can EQ just fine with your ears, but it helps to see what the EQ is doing.

yep, me too