Positive gain follower...

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Prime Mover
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Positive gain follower...

Post by Prime Mover »

I often have need for a curious side-chain dynamics process that I'm not sure how to accomplish with traditional dynamics tools. In my field recordings, I often have to chop off the low end due to distant traffic and wind. So I commonly fill in the low frequencies with filtered brown noise, but I want the volume level to follow the level of the higher end material. I've been able get by with a side-chained expander (usually WAVES RComp with a positive ratio), but the results aren't very good because expanders generally only have logarithmic gain expansion and I'd rather use something that's designed more for this purpose.

Hard to explain, really. What I need is sort of like the opposite of ducking, so like a gate, but without the binary on/off qualities.

Any thoughts?
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Phil O
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by Phil O »

I think someone asked about this once before (sorry I can't remember who). I seem to recall there was a plugin that did exactly what you're looking for. Search terms will be difficult on this one, but a search here might be worth it. Sorry I can't point you directly at it.

Phil
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stubbsonic
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by stubbsonic »

I have had good success using a multiband dynamics (I used WaveArts MultiDynamics)- essentially, creating a multi-band expander with look-ahead. It works like noise-reduction and can reduce ambient room reflection as well. No side chain required.
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terrybritton
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by terrybritton »

Prime Mover - sent you a PM.
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philbrown
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by philbrown »

In the modular synth world you would use an 'envelope follower' for that. There are more and more software emulations of synth modules. Maybe the modular synth could generate the 'brown noise' as well, that seems like the most logical approach– you'd have noise and filter options built-in. I'm not sure which of the software emulations have an envelope follower module though. Reaktor has something called 'Blocks' but I'm not really up on the software emulations world as I use a hardware modular.

If this approach interests you I can ask on my modular synth group for more specifics or other ideas.
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philbrown
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by philbrown »

Reaktor Blocks has a lot of modules but not an envelope follower.
I did find this, though:
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/Au ... ation-OSX/
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HCMarkus
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by HCMarkus »

White Noise. Pink Noise. Never heard the term "Brown Noise" before and, though I surmise (not yet having taken the time to Google the term) it refers to noise with greater low-frequency emphasis, I must admit that it elicits somewhat disturbing images, possibly unfit for a forum of this decorum.

OTOH, Pink Noise could be a tad suggestive, too... :sorry:

Edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownian_noise

Apologies to Mr. Brown. He was clearly a mover and a shaker.
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Phil O
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by Phil O »

What about this:
https://www.bluecataudio.com/Doc/Product_DPeakMeterPro/

From the features list:
• Record measurements (peak, RMS, crest factor, clip etc.) as automation curves.

Doesn't sound like it will work in real time, but it may be a workaround.
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Phil O
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Re: Positive gain follower...

Post by Phil O »

Wait. I lied. Just found this in the description:

"All envelopes (peak, RMS, crest factor...) can be reused for additional monitoring or side chaining purposes: combined together, reversed, modified and recorded as automation curves or sent as MIDI CC messages, they can control other effects in real time."
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