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  4. Question on Dynamic Range

  • Question on Dynamic Range

    P
    P

    I have never paid much attention to the Dynamic Range slider in the Synchron Player. Decreasing the value to 64 is night and day for me, both for playability and sound. It's crazy! The standard value sounds more "smooth", but it's more "washy" to me. With the decreased value I hear more separation between the dynamics layers.

    My question: Is there a reason not to use 64? Do I lose dynamic layers? If so what are my other options, e.g. changing my modwheel response curve?

    I hope not. I really prefer the current setting, because now the forte dynamic layers kicks in earlier with my modwheel (foot pedal), and resembles more the playability of the VI series and my other libraries. At least that's my impression.
  • P
    P

    With the new Synchron Player update we now have an additional Dynamic Range, the older one was renamed Dynamic Compression.

    I really hoped we now could go to niente (as in the VIPro Player). May I assume that it's not possible? Would also be nice to have some clarification on both controllers. I don't know what these do. There is a short explanation in the Synchron Player, but it doesn't help.
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP

    Hi, 

    That slipped through in the changelog, will be added soon. 

    We renamed the classic “Dynamic Range” Controller to “Dynamic Compression” for all existing products (as it only compresses the dynamic range). 
    The new “Dynamic Range” Controller can now compress and expand the Dynamic Range

     

    Best, 
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • C.B.C
    C.B.C

    @Paul said in [Question on Dynamic Range](/post/316897):

    The new “Dynamic Range” Controller can now compress and expand the Dynamic Range

    More like the VIP player (who is/was 64 by default)?

    C.
  • P
    P

    Hi Paul,

    I still don't understand both controllers, sorry. Could you go into more detail?

    As already said, I have to ride the modwheel quite high to reach the forte dynamics. With all of my other libraries (including the VI series) it's about 70. In Synchron I have to go up to 100. Of course, I could change the controller curve behaviour, but I don't want that.

    If Dynamic Compression compresses the range, then I guess it should be at 0 to have no compression at all? Is this correct? My goal is to have the raw, unchanged recordings. All Synchron libraries now default to 127. What does this mean? Compression applied or not applied?

    And concerning Dynamic Range: As far as I can see it's defaulting to 64 now. I can't really hear a huge difference between 64 and 0, and on some instruments even prefer 0.

    Is 64 comparable to the default value in VI Pro? Or is 64 already some "modified" setting? As said above, I don't want any "unnatural" or "enhanced" behaviour. I can understand that a "modified" setting might smoothen the dynamics, but I don't want that.
  • andiA
    VSL Team
    andiA

    Hello Pixelpoet1985!

    Dynamic Compression at 127 means full dynamic (no compression).
    Dynamic Compression at 0 means almost no dynamic (strong crompression) with piano being almost equally loud as forte.

    Dynamic Range at 127 means strongly exaggerated dynamics with piano being very soft.
    Dynamic Range at 64 means no compression and no dynamic enhancement.
    Dynamic Range at 0 means strong crompression with piano being almost equally loud as forte.

    Best regards,
    Andi

    Vienna Symphonic Library
  • P
    P

    Hello Andi,

    thanks for the detailed explanation! But it makes things even more complicated, because you use the term "compression" for both controllers. I think I'm too dumb as I simply don't get it. 😊

    For me the term "compression" indicates that 127 is full compression. The naming is not well chosen, in my opinion.

    Also: If I have the compression at 0 I still have all dynamics and they are not equally loud, but the forte layer comes earlier. I prefer this behaviour because it sounds (and behaves) like my other libraries. With compression at 127 it also sounds like the instrument is further back in the room.

    I know that other libraries may have compression applied out of the box, but I don't understand why the Synchon libraries sound so much different than all the others? If I remember correctly the very first Synchron Player had the same dynamic range as VI Pro, where you can go to niente (i.e. value at 127). Why is this not possible anymore? Since you changed this behaviour it sounded "wrong" to me, and I always thought that there is something not right with the dynamics. At least my impression.
  • andiA
    VSL Team
    andiA

    Hello Pixelpoet1985!

    @Pixelpoet1985 said:
    With compression at 127 it also sounds like the instrument is further back in the room.

    The position in the room or any reverb don't get changed at all.

    @Pixelpoet1985 said:
    If I remember correctly the very first Synchron Player had the same dynamic range as VI Pro, where you can go to niente (i.e. value at 127).

    Synchron Player never had such an option. The fader that is now called "Dynamic Compr." has originally been called "Dynamic Range". It's function has never been changed since the first version of Synchron Player. The new "Dynamic Range" fader now can compress and expand the dynamic range. These two faders are very similar. The only difference is that "Dynamic Range" works in both ways.

    Best regards,
    Andi

    Vienna Symphonic Library
  • P
    P

    As far as I can remember the very first version of the player with Synchron Strings I had the niente feature, but maybe I'm just imagining things. 😄

    I'm still a bit confused about when to use one controller over the other, but thanks for clarifying!