Gclip, isnt it just a compressor?

[aviel]

maybe i missed something, but what is the differance bewenn G clip and a compressor?

 

[Line666]

Fundamentally they both reduce dynamic range but Gclip basically just clips audio above a set threshold - it doesn't react dynamically to a signal like a compressor would with attack and release time.

Gclip is useful for cutting errant transients, unlike a compressor which would clamp down on them rather than remove them altogether, but it doesnt really imbue more character into a sound like a compressor would.

So, ostensibly, using a clipper is a bit like getting a haircut and a using a compressor is a bit like wearing a hat.

I'm sure someone has a better explanation for the differences than me though.

 

[Trevoire520]

Limiters or compressors push everything down once the signal passes a certain threshold. So for example when using a limiter on the master fader whenever the kick/snare hits the whole mix ducks down a few db. This can cause some pretty nasty pumping on things like guitars/bass/vocals whenever the drums hit.

A clipper on the other hand just kinda ignores any audio beyond the threshold. So you get a flat line of "maximum level". It doesn't "push down" the signal in the same way a limiter does. It just lets it clip.

On short transients (like drum hits) this is pretty transparent to the human ear. At least compared to the whole mix jumping down a few db like when using a limiter.

 

[Deadstar]

Watch out or it can create some kind of distortion

 

[OneDaySky]

Yeah a clipper basically squares off the peaks tuning peaks within a sine wave into a square wave (not 100 % square though)

 

[Audiosprite]

Watch out or it can create some kind of distortion

I just played around with this, GClip at 1% + Devil-loc on the drum bus = beauty

 

[Deadstar]

I just played around with this, GClip at 1% + Devil-loc on the drum bus = beauty

heh it's awesome if the effect is wanted. If I remember well a guy in the forum used it like a guitar amp

 

[aviel]

this sound actually like the cure for snare being loosed when using maximizer i guess??

but, i guess tht apllying gclip on snare make it less punchy?

because the peak is the punch

 

[Charles J]

but, i guess tht apllying gclip on snare make it less punchy?

DING DING DING! THIS is why I don't quite like it. It can still cut through rather well when clipped but it turns into more of a mushy, flat lined transient (which makes sense, haha)

i'd still rather do it with compression, EQ. i'd only see myself using it in an 'emergency' situation...

as with anything, it's another tool in the toolbox so it's not going to hurt...!

 

[aviel]

i'd still rather do it with compression, EQ. i'd only see myself using it in an 'emergency' situation...
QUOTE]

How would you do that? i mean, the problem is that the maximizer reacts to the snare peaks too much, the only possible way i can think of is some kind of EQ on the maximizer sidechain to reduce its reaction to the snare picks.