Multi Band Compressor and Limiter

[Bill Crockett]

The limiter on the right has a threshold of -12 dB.  If I bypass it with the button just above, the sound drops significantly.  If I put in 0 dB in the limiter, the sound drops significantly also.  I cannot understand why this is happening.  I would have thought -12 dB would limit the output and drop the sound, whereas, 0 dB in the limiter or bypassing -12 dB would bring the sound up.

[paulfigg · Accepted solution]

With respect it sounds like you're not familiar with Limiters that include Threshold and Margin parameters.

Decreasing the Threshold will cause the Limiter to act more agressively resulting in elevated perceptual loudness. The Margin is the ultimate ceiling.

Try setting the Threshold @ 0 dB and set the Margin to -12dB. This will result in what you were expecting.

Read what I wrote in July of 2015:

Adobe Audition Multiband Compressor

I hope this helps.

-paul

@produceNewMedia

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

The other important thing to note about this is that all compression effects in Audition are designed to work with a signal that's been normalized to 0dB first. If you don't do this, then all bets about what you get in the way of results are firmly off!

[Bill Crockett]

Thanks, Paul, for putting me on the right track.

No, I'm not even familiar with compressors or limiters and need to study up on their parameters.  Your link was very helpful and so was the video.  I found this compressor a bit daunting at first, but I'm only using the Pop Master preset at the moment and I find it a powerful tool.  When I study compressors more and get a bit more game, I'll experiment with the other presets and try some adjustments.