Thanks much for the explanation. Can you tell me how do I determine where to set the threshold for the different bans on the LP compressor? I'm beginning to think that the problem is how I record my vocals but I'm not completely sure. I'm just wondering how I can get my tracks to sound as full and as loud as other tracks I hear. May the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. God bless you! Music soft sacred and soulful Website http://www.nevillepeter.com email neville@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx phone 407-222-4488 -----Original Message----- From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris Smart Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 10:50 AM To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ddots-l] Re: mastering question Neville, I'll try to explain this a little better. Dynamic compression works by bringing down the peaks and bringing up some of the quieter parts of your audio. If you think of your audio as a bunch of hills and valleys, the hills being loud parts and the valleys being quiet parts, compression flattens that out. The hills are not as high and the valleys are not as deep. If, say, you were compressing at a ration of 2:1, a peak of 5dB would be brought down to 2.5dB. if you were compressing at a ration of 5:1, that 5dB peak would be just 1dB peak after compression. So, you need to restore the volume after the fact. In the 5:1 example, you'd need to boost the gain about 4dB after the compressor. If the compressor you're using has an automatic makeup gain function, it will do this for you. If not, look for an output control, a makeup gain control, or something similar and turn it up a few dB. Be careful not to go too far, and listen for any digital clipping. Chris PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE! To leave the list, click on the immediately following link: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type unsubscribe For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately following link: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or send a message, to ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE! To leave the list, click on the immediately following link: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type unsubscribe For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately following link: ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or send a message, to ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq