Rick B.;381632 Wrote: > This doesn't make sense to me. As long as there is at least a small > variation in dynamics why can't a dynamic range expander work to expand > the dynamic range, which in effect is undoing some of the compression? > > DBX range expanders were around even 30 years ago or more.
DBX tried to use a linear compression to improve performance of tape recordings in general. So they mapped say 75dB of incoming signal range to 50dB of outgoing. Then applied inverse approach on playback. There were still the problems of how fast to react to big changes etc. - but many thought it was an improvement. today this could be done in a digital domain somewhat better. You can look forward in time to set the compression etc. There was also briefly Dolby C for domestic cassette recorders which aimed to compress and then re-expand high frequencies to improve tape saturation and noise performance. However in many multitrack recordings today, the production may employee instrument compression on individual tracks, or frequency selective compression as well. Without the original multitrack and the rules you can't get back to the original preprocessed signal. The ultimate truth is we get what the production engineers (and maybe even the artists) want. Today overall fidelity seems to take more of a back seat - compare reimastered vinyl in the 80s and 90s where they tried to maximise the quality, with re-mastered cds - which in general are to maximise effect or dramatically change the mix. Just 'google' loudness wars - then add your vote. Dave -- DaveWr ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DaveWr's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9331 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=57872 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
