1176 Attack and Release Times

[alicethemalice]

In the manual you can read that the attack time of the Urei 1176 ranges from 20 to 800 microseconds. But a microsecond is 0,000001 seconds (right ?), so the highest available attack time would be 0,8 milliseconds (or 0,0008 seconds). That confuses me a little bit. :? I think it should be milliseconds. 8) Another point is: What is the meaning of the printed numerals from \"1\" to \"7\" on the attack and release controllers ? Does a table exist with the precise times belonging to these numerals ? At least for a comparison between different compressors I think this could be helpful.

Thank you for your answers.

Alice

 

[RWIL]

AFAIK 1000 microsecond = 1 millisecond.
So 1 microsecond = 0.001 millisecond.
And yes 1 microsecond = 0.000001 sec.

RW

 

[alicethemalice]

And the transient of a kick drum for example is about 5 milliseconds, so it should be milliseconds. 0,8 microseconds for the longest attack time doesn´t make sense to me. :? And yes, I would be glad have a table with the exact times relating to the numbers \"1\" to \"7\" on the attack and release controllers.

Thank you for your answers

 

[imdrecordings]

I don't know if this answers your question but.......

the bigger the number the faster the attack and release.

What's the use of exact figures..?

I guess I'm just a big TWEAKER

 

[alicethemalice]

First of all it is more of a theoretical use. :wink: Practically, you could compare the settings with settings of other compressors. Or you could for example synchronize the release time exactly with the songtempo to have a starting point for your tweaking and save time and money this way.

Alice

 

[RWIL]

And yes, I would be glad have a table with the exact times relating to the numbers "1" to "7" on the attack and release controllers.

Hi,
From the uad manual:

«Release:
Sets the amount of time (from 50–1100 msec.) it takes for compression to
cease once the input signal drops below the threshold level. Faster release
times are achieved by rotating the Release control clockwise. Slower release times can smooth the transition that occurs when the signal dips below the threshold, especially useful for material with frequent peaks. However, if you set too large of a Release time, compression for sections of audio with loud signals may extend to lengthy sections of audio with lower signals.»

Cheers,
RW

 

[saemskin]

yes, there is a mixing technique where you sync reverb decays, compressor releases, and any other time based effect to the bpm of the song.
So, numerical control of the parameters, while deviating from the exactness of the emulation, does have its uses.

 

[Plec]

The reason for the attack being 20-800 microseconds is that the 1176 was designed as a limiter. The point of the whole design is not to let too much transient through. Your standard compressor design would have a lot more variable attack time to shape the dynamic envelope however you please, although the intent of the 1176 was again to be a \"brick wall\" limiter.

The attack time is always under 1 millisecond.. even at the slowest setting.. which is pretty darn fast!

 

[1176]

True. But there is still a definite audible difference between 20 microseconds and 800 microseconds. To hear it most dramatically, put the 1176 on some drums and set the release to its fastest. Then, move the attack from the fastest to the slowest. the attack time sound is dramatically different.

 

[alicethemalice]

Thank for your answers But I´m still confused. Like 1176 said you can hear the attack sound dramatically changing. But as far as I know the length of a kick drum transient is around 5 ms. Let`s assume the transient of a synthdrum is a 1000 Hz triangle wave, then the length of only a full cycle of this wave would be 1ms or 1000 microseconds. Plec´s remark that the 1176 was originally intended as a limiter is reasonable, but with a twelve a clock setting for example there is no \"wall\" anymore. On the other hand if it were milliseconds instead of microseconds a fastest setting of 20 milliseconds would be quite slow.

Still confused :?

Alice

 

[Awesom-o]

I'm confused too (doesn't take much, these days lol). So the slowest attack time is 0.8 ms ? It sounds to me like much more than that is being let through.

 

[Cabbage]

Even if you set two compressors to the same attack time in ms, they will let through different amounts of transient. It seems to me that the way the attack behaviour of a compressor is translated to a ms value can be quite different for different compressors.

Going by the numbers for compressor attack and release is generally not a great idea, IMO.

BTW I still agree it sounds like more than 0.8 ms to me.

Petter

 

[brian]

Something to consider is that different compressors employ the use of different level-detection schemes (some lean more towards nearly instantaneous peak detection, some act slower, etc). This definitely has an effect on the attack behavior and apparent attack times.

Also I have to agree that attack/release times do not translate well (if at all) between different compressors.

 

[Paul Woodlock]

True. But there is still a definite audible difference between 20 microseconds and 800 microseconds. To hear it most dramatically, put the 1176 on some drums and set the release to its fastest. Then, move the attack from the fastest to the slowest. the attack time sound is dramatically different.

Indeed, it is dramatically different. Compressors soudnd so different anyway it's a little pointless IMHO trying to match up attack and release times in actual time values.

IMHO just tweak until it sounds right