I see various mentions of this in Facebook forums. ProTools has it - I think it'd be relatively straight forward to code into Reaper.
Any other takers?
What about using or doing a differential db level meter as a plugin and connect it to the pins in the chain before and after the the plugin(s) in question, using the standard FX pin routing Feature in the FX chain of a track ?
Since you can have any number of compressors on a track, this is not as easy to implement as one would think. PT has it because it's defined by AAX plugin standard. VST doesn't have that defined, AFAIK.
Since you can have any number of compressors on a track, this is not as easy to implement as one would think. PT has it because it's defined by AAX plugin standard. VST doesn't have that defined, AFAIK.
It could default to the first compressor/limiter in the chain. Then have a right-click on the meter itself to choose either other individual compressors on the strip or the sum total of gain reduction (all of them added together).
Edit:well shit , while we're at it why not add full control of any VST right from Reaper's meter...that would be wicked awesome.
The problem with using your ears for GR is that it's like boiling a frog; you eventually get used to gradual changes and end up in hot soup before you know it.
Anyway, we do have near full control from near-the-meters. That's what track controls are. Your sarcasm doesn't work too well here unless you're trying to advocate for the OP's suggestion :P
I would assume so, the occasional meter is nice but that should *never* stop someone from being able to tell what the compressor is doing since it's result is explicitly for your ears. Granted compression can be one of the harder things to hear but again, that goes with being able to tell if you need one and whether it is helping, if one can't tell that without a meter, how do they even know one is needed?
__________________ Music is what feelings sound like.
I would assume so, the occasional meter is nice but that should *never* stop someone from being able to tell what the compressor is doing since it's result is explicitly for your ears. Granted compression can be one of the harder things to hear but again, that goes with being able to tell if you need one and whether it is helping, if one can't tell that without a meter, how do they even know one is needed?
For me it'd be useful to keep an eye on whether I've accidentally driven a compressor too far and if so, which strip. Sometimes in a complex mix there can be level automation etc that you just lose sight of. I like to see the GR meters as I work. I do listen with my ears but my eyes are a useful support mechanism!
I do get it, I use the meter (on whatever compressor) myself from time to time but I must stress still, that if you can't hear the compression you need or are applying, that's a problem. However, I also think this metering should be on the compressor not the track. Part of learning how to do it by ear is exactly by under/over-compressing, noticing you did and training your senses accordingly.
__________________ Music is what feelings sound like.
It happens trust me. I'm pretty sure it happen to all us at one time or another. It just a helpful tool to have.
How/where? Just asking, I mean how does it get over compressed and never noticed? Not being argumentative but being able to hear it is extremely important since there is no such thing as compression that doesn't affect what we hear - and still matter, so at minimum consider this an academic exercise to help make us all better.
I agree a meter on the compressor can be very helpful while making initial settings and educational, but I'm having difficulty understanding how not having it can result in not knowing it is overcompressed. In that respect I think the meter will be more harmful than helpful because it creates a reliance that deters hearing it. If we get used to that then yes, we need it because we never learned to hear it and probably don't really understand what it is doing for/against us.
__________________ Music is what feelings sound like.
I agree with you. Less is more especially with compression. But for some they might need to see the gain reduction meter,their ears might not be as sharp as the next human being.
For me it'd be useful to keep an eye on whether I've accidentally driven a compressor too far and if so, which strip. Sometimes in a complex mix there can be level automation etc that you just lose sight of. I like to see the GR meters as I work. I do listen with my ears but my eyes are a useful support mechanism!
Just a bump for visibility - version 6 feature? I'd actually change it to total track gain reduction so anything compressing in the track FX would accumulate to the meter, just like protools.
Is there a way to have this track inspector info shown on the mixer window or do you have to open the track inspector every time you want to see gain reduction info?
Is there a way to have this track inspector info shown on the mixer window or do you have to open the track inspector every time you want to see gain reduction info?
I haven't used it for a while so i can't remember exactly, but I seem to remember there being a whole alternate mixer script that lets you do that.
Thanks for finding this thread! I'd still find this desirable.
Yes, for live mixing - you just take a glance at the gain reduction meters and immediately you see that guitar player turned up volume on his amp or stomped on his booster pedal.