Dynamics Processing

Dynamics processing refers to tools such as compressors, limiters and gates. They help adjust how “dynamic” the volume is. All these options are wrapped up into one graphical interface.

1. The shell drops are too quite in comparison to the shots themselves; so let’s use a compressor to limit how loud they can be.

2. We’ll use the Dynamics Processing tool under the Effects menu … Effects > Amplitude and Compression > Dynamics Processing
   
   
3. Since you had nothing highlighted, Audition assumes you want everything selected, so has automatically has done that for you. This is true with every effect, if nothing is selected, it will select the entire file.

4. We will now add compression. Notice that the gun shots peak at about -3dB and the shell drops peak about -15dB. Let’s make the loudest at about -9dB, somewhere in the middle.
   • You should be in the “Dynamics” tab; click on the blue line where -10dB and -10dB cross.
   • You’ve now added an envelope point.
   • Now drag the top right point down until it is horizontal with the point you just made. This will compress the sound, but sound a little unnatural (this is what we call a “hard knee”).
   • Hit the “Spline Curves” box near the bottom, and the corner will now curve. Now hit [Okay].
     

Notice how the range between the loudest and softest sounds are much closer. That’s compression!