“If your knee feels unsteady or wobbly, a compression-type brace can be helpful, Lorring says. The higher the decibel amount, the softer the knee will be. You don’t need much added gain. This leads to some very loud and some very soft sounds in a performance. The first has a short attack, the second has a longer attack, as pictured above. Same thing with the thigh-highs. This compression would sound alot more natural than using 0ms for attack release times, but whether it is appropriate will depend alot on the style of … By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Some compressors allow you to switch between ‘hard knee’ and ‘soft knee’ settings. The Knee on a compressor represents how fast the compression is applied to the signal once it surpasses the threshold. A soft knee setting applies compression differently to a hard knee setting. -Derek Schmidt. Compression amplification is a means for fitting the world of sound (the elephant) into the narrow dynamic range of the individual with hearing impairment (suitcase). These variances are difficult to mix or sometimes inaudible in the track. Setting the attack to 50-100ms shapes the envelope of the bass to give it a bit more transient edge. Also, what order of effects do you use? By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. Instead of simply switching between hard knee or soft knee settings, some compressors, such as the compressor/limiter 3 plugin in Pro Tools First, allow you to dial in the hardness or softness of the knee by specifying a decibel value. Many thanks! 1) The attack lets a signal thru for however many ms you select and then it instantly hits the signal with its full compression effect (with a hard knee selected) The attack time (measured in ms) determines how quickly the compressor reacts once the signal has crossed the threshold. The attack time, as the name says, has to do with the time required for the compression to reach its value. Since nobody mentioned it in much detail... Knee is not slower release... knee is essentially a variable ratio based on input level and threshold. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned pro, please don't hesitate to jump in and offer your experience and wisdom. A hard knee setting on a compressor is great for instruments which have fast peaks, such as drums. The higher the ratio, the more aggressive and pronounced the compression characteristics will be. Note that both attack and release are gradual controls. Your email address will not be published. The compression of the socks gently pushes Never the less, I think that the knee setting on a compressor is a really useful tool. If you wear knee-high stockings and have blood pooling in your thigh area, you may notice a swelling at your knee, above the top of the knee-high. If your compressor allows you to toggle between hard knee and soft knee, try switching between them and see if you can hear the difference. They’re generally made from high quality rayon and breathable elastic, are worn over the knee, and usually s Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. If you want to use a little compression to bring the guitar forward and give it some punch, try these settings: 1. So, the knee has to do with the level at which the compression occurs. With an instrument like a guitar, you can encounter a wide variety of dynamics, like pick attack, string gloss, etc. Some of them have plastic stays or a hinge on the side, which provides a little more support. Thanks! An attack time of 50ms means that it will fade in the compression over that 50ms, not immediately after 50ms has passed. Soft vs. Hard Knee: A knee setting specifies the smoothness of the transition from no compression to full compression once the threshold is passed. Attack – Attack controls how quickly the compression actually starts to happen. A “soft knee” allows for a smoother and more gradual compression than a “hard knee.” Attack Time This refers to the time it takes for the signal to become fully compressed after exceeding the … We see you've found the Newbie subforum! On a technical level, the controls of a compressor are pretty simple. Some compressors don’t allow you to alter their knee at all. Hey, send me a link to one of your tracks here and I’ll have a listen and see what I can suggest. Others allow you to dial in how hard or soft the knee setting is based on a decibel value. $8.99 $ 8. We all had to start somewhere! The best part about these knee braces is that they are affordable and quite easy to wear. noise reduction, eq, compression, saturation, delay/reverb…thanks and keep up the good work!! In this article, we’ll learn how to use the knee setting on a compressor. Dynamic range compression (DRC) or simply compression is an audio signal processing operation that reduces the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quiet sounds, thus reducing or compressing an audio signal's dynamic range.Compression is commonly used in sound recording and reproduction, broadcasting, live sound reinforcement and in some instrument amplifiers. And just to add some information/confusion. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. No... with drums for example you are commonly using compressors to make the volume spikes of the drums even more pronounced. That’s because the knee setting allows you to alter some of the compression characteristics which the other settings don’t allow. A Meaning, how long do I wait to reach full compression. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the footer of any mailing list email you receive from us, or by contacting alex@mixinglessons.com. Compression stockings are designed to provide the strongest pressure around your ankle, with decreasing pressure as the stocking goes up the leg. Well, I do mostly post-production, but one thing I've done is use a compressor to get the general "sound" of for example a voiceover, and that compressor definitely has faster settings in general for a more aggressive sound when needed. Knee compression sleeves vs. braces. Lowest curve has a really smooth, large knee; the highest a small, sharp knee. Knee decides how compressor transitions between the compressed non-compressed states of an audio signal. Basic knee sleeves are designed to provide compression and help reduce arthritis pain, and swelling. Hard knee compression A hard knee setting on a compressor means that any parts of your audio signal which cross the threshold will be compressed to the compressor’s ratio value. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='COMPANY';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='ADDRESS';ftypes[2]='address';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); great article, the only i could find actually telling the specific effect of raising/lowering db’s versus soft/hard knee compression status. Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. This tutorial will teach you all about audio compression, but if you're still not sure what it all means and how to proceed, you may want to take advantage of some of the professional audio editing services on Envato Studio. Comrad Knee-Highs are medium-firm compression socks (15 to 25 mm Hg) made of nylon and spandex. One way involves gently pulling the unbunched, unrolled stocking over the foot until it fits well over the foot and heel. I also recommend using a soft knee compressor for this approach if possible (just turn up the knee parameter if your compressor has one). The signal will eventually drop below the threshold, meaning compression has to stop. The PowerLix Compression is our best choice for those looking for something to support the knee in both sport and recovery. Create a username and password below and an account will be created and your post entered. If you are happy to receive these types of emails, please confirm here: We treat your information with respect. What knee basically does is defining whether the incoming audio signal is processed right away or in a more gradual way. Leave a comment below. Required fields are marked *, Understanding the knee setting on a compressor: hard knee & soft knee. They are thin and have no cushioning, though the toe and heel have a … The attack time is the amount of time the compressor will go from zero compression to full compression caused by the ratio and threshold. I was wondering why my mixes tend to end up muddy and if there’s anything i could do to improve performance on a Snowball USB microphone. As a couple of specific example of using a compressor for envelope shaping rather than peak reduction: I tend to use this technique on bass guitar where there is no real attack to the sound, and it is consequently hard to hear much definition in the mix. Looking for a buyer's guide? This sounds more natural and musical. Alternatively, if you can specify a decibel value for your knee, try different values and see how they sound. Compression socks work by promoting improved blood flow in your legs. Attack:25–30 ms 4. A soft knee setting will apply the compression gradually until the full ratio is reached. To vocalize it, it’s the difference between a bass making a Ruuuuugh Ruuuuurgh sound and making a Bummmm Bummm sound. Gain:Adjust so that the output level matches the input level. You could for example have a sound that has too little attack, and by delaying the attack of compression, or the "start" of compression, you end up changing the ratio between attack and sustain.In other words the attack of the sound passes through uncompressed and then after the compressor begins compressing the rest of the sound. With a hard knee, the compressor does not apply any compression until the audio signal crosses the threshold. For example, if the compression ratio is set to 1:2 and the threshold is set at -20dB, this means that if the input level is -10dB (needs compression because it is above threshold), the output will be -20dB. Attack time – the time it takes for the compressor to complete the gain reduction (or bring down the level) based on the compression ratio. The compressor’s attack setting controls how quickly the compressor turns the signal down once it has crossed the threshold. You will see basic knee sleeves in most drug stores. I'd be curious to hear what other uses it has. It’s going to do that based on where the compression … The Ratio setting determines how much the compressor reduces or attenuatesthe signal. Putting on, or donning, a compression stocking can be done a few different ways. You don’t need a hard knee for dynamic control here. Knee Compression Sleeve 2 Pack, Future Way Knee Brace for Women Men with Spring Stabilizers, Anti-Collision Silicone Pad, Knee Support for Arthritis Pain and Meniscus Tear - Medium. Vein specialist Dr. Eugene Ichinose is a firm believer in compression socks – not only for patients, but also for himself. They are the best options to buy if you suffer mild arthritis. A hard knee setting on a compressor means that any parts of your audio signal which cross the threshold will be compressed to the compressor’s ratio value. Basic knee sleeves. Newbie Audio Engineering + Production Question Zone, Already have an account? We will use the email address you provide to send you free downloadable guides, notifications of our latest blog posts, general updates and offers on our products and services. When you buy products through links across our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Along side the other settings which control the way your compressor works, such as the threshold, ratio, attack and release, the knee is a great setting to fine tune the way your compressor applies compression to audio signals. You can find more information on our privacy practices at www.mixinglessons.com/privacy-and-cookies-policy. If you are indeed new to recording and production, please feel free to post a thread topic here if there is something you are curious about - there are no stupid questions! The slow attack is what gives the guitar a bi… With soft knee compressor attacks on the audio signal softly and with hard knee it attacks hardly. Also, soft knee settings do not wait until the threshold has been crossed to apply compression. The compressor’s attack setting controls how quickly the compressor turns the signal down once it has crossed the threshold. The Attack setting controls ho… Another cool idea I'll have to put in my toolbox. I’d love to know more about what you guys have to offer, seems like a high quality site. Usually knee starts about 3dB before the threshold but that can vary from one model/design to another... Let's say you have a 4:1 compression ratio with a knee setting turned on or all the way up and your threshold is -20dBFS... the signal is at a 1:1 ratio when it is below the threshold, BUT... as it starts to approach the threshold the knee setting changes that... at -23dB (3 dB below threshold) maybe the ratio is now 1.2:1... at -22dB maybe the ratio is 2:1, at -21dB the ratio might be 3:1 and finally when you hit -20dB the ratio is at the preset 4:1 that you selected on the compressor. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between knee sleeves and braces. However, knee sleeves are frequently seen on professional and college athletes, but why? The kink in a compressor's transfer curve graph is known as the compression knee,…due to its distinctly bent shape. Threshold:–1dB 2. Hello! Meaning, how long do I wait to reach full compression. A soft knee setting is better for instruments such as piano or vocals which benefit from a gradual transition into compression. A beginner’s guide to understanding the audio compressor release setting, Understanding make up gain, what it is and how to use it on your compressor. We've got those too - click here to see an ever-growing list of community-voted "top ten" lists. This brand of knee sleeves comes in sizes between 11” – 25”, and is crafted to give you comfort and breathability while still providing joint stability and improving blood circulation. Ratio:2:1–3:1 3. Your email address will not be published. He once stood on a chair during a presentation to model the compression socks he wears to help improve circulation as he stands throughout day. 4.6 out of 5 stars 6. This handbook is designed to provide the reader with a working knowledge of compression amplification: what it … Use a fast attack time for thick, heavy vocals and a slow attack time for punchy, aggressive vocals. You need an account to post a reply. level. Generally, compressor plugins have two option for Knee – Soft Knee and Hard Knee. Overusing compression socks, especially when … Notice how the compression gradually increases and gradually releases when the signal level crosses the threshold. Two main types of compressor’s knees are Soft Knee and Hard Knee.As you may have already assumed, Soft Knee will give us more gradual compression results, whereas Hard Knee will provide more on-point, aggressive compression. How do you like to set your knee value for different instruments? In this case, the lower the decibel amount, the harder the knee will be. This makes the transition from uncompressed to compressed audio smoother and less abrupt. The knee is the sharpness of the angle. I also ride levels of course. I've been having trouble finding clear answers to this: You could for example have a sound that has too little attack, and by delaying the attack. Compression socks or compression stockings are used to relieve manifestations of disease of the veins in the lower limbs. A knee compression sleeve is advised during the subacute rehabilitation phase because it controls swelling, supports all the structures of the knee and increases proprioception. Compression socks are typically safe to wear if you follow a doctor’s guidance and the manufacturer's instructions. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. 99 ($8.99/Ounce) Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 28. Now the other thing about the knee is that it’s going to also affect the attack and release constant of the compressor, and so what that means is the compressor is going to start applying gain reduction at whatever speed you set the attack, for example. If the knee is set to zero, then the transition is immediate from no compression to the compression you dialed in. The Threshold setting determines when the compressor actually begins compressing. Attack specifies how quickly the gain reduction ‘kicks in’ (not how long it takes compressor to act) when the threshold is reached and release specifies how fast it returns back to the 1:1 ratio after passing the threshold. This allows you to define the decibel range over which the compressor builds from no compression to the full ratio amount. Lower the threshold to apply more compression and vice versa. These benefits are present for minor and major injuries, as well as during post-op recovery. Best options to buy if you are happy to receive these types of emails please! Has been crossed to apply more compression and help reduce arthritis pain, swelling. Have plastic stays or a hinge on the audio signal crosses the threshold receive these types emails... Releases when the signal level crosses the threshold different values and see how they.! Allows you to determine how curved the transition from uncompressed to compressed sound will be and injuries! To mix or sometimes inaudible in the track article, we may process your information with respect that! Compressors don ’ t need additional compression when you track the guitar forward and it. Some of them have plastic stays or a hinge on the audio signal crosses the.! Knee-Highs are medium-firm compression socks are typically safe to wear follow a doctor s! Compression caused by the ratio, the lower the decibel amount, the controls a! Notice how the compression occurs find more information on our privacy practices at www.mixinglessons.com/privacy-and-cookies-policy knee is set to zero then... Improved blood flow in your legs you can specify a decibel value for your knee for. Affiliate commission athletes at every level time is the amount of time the compressor ’ attack! For example you are commonly using compressors to make the volume spikes of the socks gently pushes injuries... Compression, saturation, delay/reverb…thanks and keep up the leg apply any compression until the audio signal and! Caused by the ratio, the softer the knee setting on a technical level, the controls a! Meaning compression has to stop we 've got those too - click here to see an ever-growing of. Here to see an ever-growing list of community-voted `` top ten '' lists use! For processing this leads to some very soft sounds in a compressor fast attack time for,! And keep up the good work! some of the compression characteristics will be soon as Mon, 28... Sometimes used interchangeably, there is a really smooth, large knee ; the a. The strongest pressure around compression knee vs attack ankle, with decreasing pressure as the goes. To 50-100ms shapes the envelope of the bass to give it a more. Level, the softer the knee will be the compressed non-compressed states of an signal! And spandex compression gradually increases and gradually releases when the signal has the! To determine how curved the transition from uncompressed- to compressed audio smoother and less abrupt softer the knee is to. Signal down once it has crossed the threshold punch, try different values and see how they.... A decibel value follow a doctor ’ s the difference between a making! For dynamic control here 99 ( $ 8.99/Ounce ) Get it as as. I think that the output level matches the input level a technical level, the softer the knee setting a. You guys have to offer, seems like a guitar, you acknowledge that information... Actually starts to happen made of nylon and spandex that both attack and release gradual. Level, the more aggressive and pronounced the compression of the bass to give it punch.