Few Re-sampling Questions

[bigdaveo11]

Hi guys,

I know there are some good threads on re-sampling and I have done a fair amount of research/practice on the subject but lately I have had a few specific questions I was hoping to get some advice/opinions on these matters, I always feel like I am shooting in the dark even though I know its mostly trail and error. Any answers are greatly appreciated. I am working with logic fyi.

1. How do you use compression as a tonal effect when re-sampling? vs using it to catch peaks?

2. Do you set up a seperate project file for designing sounds and then implement them into your "track project" later after youve achieved the desired sound.

3. Do the levels matter when re-sampling? I always end up being close to clipping/clipping on the master with only one soft synth track which is frequency split into multiple aux's to effect the different frequency ranges, should I be watching the levels?

4. How do you use a limiter when re-sampling. I understand the concept that it is designed to catch peaks quickly (essentially hard knee compression) but I can't figure out when I actually "need" it if you will.

5. Any other FX you include in your re-sampling chain, when? where? why?

I know there are multiple questions in here that cover a broad range but any insight/personal experiences are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[ehbes]

1) after frequency splitting to make it sound whole
2) Yes
3) just keep it under 0 db and you should be fine
4) you don't need it
5) tape compression, phaser, chorus unison, distortion, reverb, eq
5b) its all to taste
5c) why else would you be resampling, save to cut cpu but it doesn't sound like thats what your after

[Earjax]

one tip for getting tones from compression:
layer four tracks and use different compressions on each of them (only very light compression) and tweak the levels so its still peaking at the same level, repeat this once or twice and your sound will be a whole lot fatter, and occasionally it will sound completely different.

[bigdaveo11]

appreciate the responses guys, extremely helpful and to the point. Thanks for the tip earjax, I will experiment with that.

One question in regards to tweaking the levels/AB'ing the sound, do you usually trust the gain reduction meter on your compression? I was using rough rider by audio damage and exact gain reduction numbers don't appear so I think i was doing this correct like you mentioned by watching the faders and continually bypassing the plug in so that when i hit bypass on and off the levels were still peaking equally.

Expanding on this do you do this for most FX plug-ins? i always notice when using any FX that the levels are increasing and I know louder does not always equal better, What FX are meant to increase the signal vs which ones are you supposed to match to the original peak level (I suppose I would be using the output gain knob on the plug in to match levels, if it all). Obviously compression is one of those plugs where matching the levels is crucial. Thank you again!

[baboon2525]

I don't think that the aim with any FX should be to increase the signal - you should be setting each track where you want it re levels independent of the FX, and then matching the level you had before after applying the FX, in order to preserve the 3-6dBs of headroom you need before going to mastering.

[bigdaveo11]

makes sense^ thanks baboon