FabFilter Range knob in ProMB

Mixing and Mastering
1

Guys, just checking I have this down.

On compression (Pro-MB);
Threshold set to -9dB. Signal wants to reach +3dB. Ratio is set to 6:1 meaning that the compressor would only allow 2dB of the additional 12dB to go over the threshold. The compressor would be squashing 10dB and the result would be a level of -7dB.

However, if the range was set to -6dB, the level would be -3dB because the maximum gain reduction that could be applied to the +3dB input would be -6dB as set by the range. All of the other characteristics (attack/knee/release) would remain, but the maximum the signal would drop would be limited by the range.

Is this correct?

…And as a bonus reply, what are common uses for the Range, rather than just having more or less ratio?

Without trying it for real, I am thinking this is where the input may be more organic and therefore fluctuate more over time and you don’t want to kill the part that comes in louder just for a short period? So the compressor ratio is dealing with the ‘majority’ and the range allows some flex for the minority??

2

@Danny this would be a long one for the chat in class later, so if you do get a chance to check this it would be cool, if not, i can copy and paste it into the chat later. Thank you!

3

For anyone reading with the same query, we covered this in class and the above example is the right understanding. Thanks @Danny. What a teacher!!

2 Likes