Gain Staging With Compressor/limiters, Auto boost in level when plug-in engaged? Options

[corsi617]

I'm currently working in Logic X. I love the P&M compressors and limiters, however there seems to be a trend that as soon as I apply a plug-in as an insert into my chain, there is a 2dB - 3dB increase in level going through the plug-in. This is at the default setting with no compression or limiting applied. I then have to take the Trim back 2dB - 3B to make it even.

However, the more I increase compression/limiting, the gain gets louder. It's almost as if there is an auto gain setting, but it goes beyond what it should be.

Because of this, I never have to reach for the Make Up knob because its already too loud.

Maybe those Make Up knobs could default at 12:00 allowing the user to increase or decrease the output instead sort of like the Trim knob?

This post has been edited by corsi617: Aug 12 2014, 11:17 PM

[Nick]

I'm currently working in Logic X. I love the P&M compressors and limiters, however there seems to be a trend that as soon as I apply a plug-in as an insert into my chain, there is a 2dB - 3dB increase in level going through the plug-in. This is at the default setting with no compression or limiting applied. I then have to take the Trim back 2dB - 3B to make it even.

However, the more I increase compression/limiting, the gain gets louder. It's almost as if there is an auto gain setting, but it goes beyond what it should be.

Because of this, I never have to reach for the Make Up knob because its already too loud.

Maybe those Make Up knobs could default at 12:00 allowing the user to increase or decrease the output instead sort of like the Trim knob?

Hello corsi617,

It is a bit strange that there would be a boost in level with the P&M compressors and limiters. There should be no change if there is no compression or limiting.

As you probably know once we apply compression or a limiter we have to make up the overall level as it drops as the compression lowers the levels overall.

I will take a look at this and get back to you.

Are you noticing the level reading on the channel or on the master when the track is soloed?

Best Regards,

Nick