Typical Fast & Slow Att-Rel Values.

[Kaleb Formz]

Hey guys I have a question that I want to understand better than I do now.

I don't have a problem with compression at all. I know what ratios to slap on for each source that works for me and when I want a fast attack or slow release I move the knob till I hear it grabbing the source fast or letting it go slow to y taste. Probably the best approach. Some compressors have fast attacks that go to infinity for limiting I suppose and incredibly fast release numeric values.

I want to actually understand what is typical for fast, med and slow Att-Rel times so I better understand, Or so when I buy or demo a new one with a fixed times or one set by default I can already know "hey this is fast as shit"

For example I didn't know 1176 were fast as heck till I used an emulation. After looking it up I found out they're made like that. So any help would be very appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Kellii]

Pretty much just listening to how the attack effects the transient. I dont think there is a way to determine what specifically is fast or slow for a specific instrument because the frequency content differs between source but i could be wrong haha.

If you're ever in doubt Andy once said in an interview he puts the ratio on compressors to 8.0/limit or however extreme that particular compressor goes when he's setting attack and release times then backs the ratio off once he's happy with his attack and release.

 

[Terminus]

Typically you'd try and set those times according to the tempo of the song/part. Even on that Eyal Levi stream he pointed out that there are tempo calculators online so you dont have to bust out a calculator, just type in your tempo and it'll spit out a good setting. This was for drums, but I'm sure it could be useful for other things.

 

[greyskull]

Turn em til they sound good.

 

[Kaleb Formz]

Turn em til they sound good.

Of course, that's exactly what I do. Lol not like i got any other option. Well at least that's why I posted this. I Primarily use comps with no numerical values, but I have used a couple which did have them. I think I remember seeing the same values when they were both fast and/Or slow.

Like 2.0 usually is fast on some compressors I think. I'm hoping there's a chart that shows whats fast and slow. Or if anyone here can shed some light.

Example :
.1 - 3 is fast
4 -20 is Med/Fast

 

[ArthurD]

3 seconds is slow 20 seconds is super slow.
Depending on the compresser you cant use the numbers for that.
on a 1176 7 is the fastest and 1 is the slowest. =)