i stole this from another site but it explains it better than i could.bigdaveo11 wrote:+1 for shaack transient designer. Came across that plug in from reso using it in his materclass video. Anyway can anyone possibly explain why the transient designer typically comes before a compressor? I know this is typically the order but just wondering why that is.
Thank you.
''A transient can be defined as the first dynamic impulse of a waveform. These transient elements appear before the sound has completed a full cycle and they are decisive for sound recognition. It is not that important whether a snare is played loudly or softly, we can nevertheless recognize its sound. Changes in the transient structure have a major impact on the sound character — which makes the Transient Designer an essential dynamic tool for sound shaping. If you wanted to process these parts of the signal with a compressor, the attack time would have to be so fast that it would be inappropriate for the rest of the signal, resulting in unwanted side effects, like pumping. The Transient Designer acts precisely where a traditional compressor cannot, making it the best complement for dynamic processing.''
so a compressor before transient designer would only make more work for the transient designer and mess up the sound as you would be going in too hot into the transient from the compressor.
bit like throwing more dirt on to your car just before you go jet wash.