Compressors for Noobs: What is a compressor? How does a compressor work? – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaSkBW1Gfc

Summary

### Summary
The text discusses the importance of compression in audio recording and how to use a compressor effectively. Compression is used to control and reduce dynamic range and make the loud parts of a recording quieter, making the overall sound seem louder and clearer without overwhelming the listener. The key elements include the threshold, ratio, attack time, and release time.

Highlights

• Compression is essential in audio recording for controlling and reducing dynamic range.
• A compressor automatically lowers the volume of a signal when it gets too loud.
• Threshold, ratio, attack time, and release time are the main controls on a compressor.

Key Takeaways

• Compressors come in hard-knee and soft-knee variations based on how they react to exceeding threshold.
• Attack and release times greatly influence a compressor’s sound and are crucial to master for effective use.
• The importance of compression varies depending on the sound source, and it can be useful in various situations like vocals or taming peaks.

What is a compressor? #shorts – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34etdmd8l0k

Summary

### Summary

A compressor is a crucial tool in audio processing that helps control the volume of signals in music or other sound-based media. By automatically lowering the volume when it reaches a certain level, compressors allow for louder and more consistent sounds. The key factors in controlling a compressor include the threshold, which determines when the compression starts, and various methods of adjusting how and when the volume is turned up or down.

Highlights

• 📈 Compressor automatically lowers the volume of a signal when it’s too loud
• 🎛️ Most important control is the threshold
• ⚡️ Threshold determines when the compressor starts working

Key Takeaways

• 🔍 Understanding the role and function of a compressor in audio processing
• 💡 Importance of controlling volume levels for overall sound quality
• 🎚️ Ability to adjust compression based on threshold and other factors

Can you guess these Radiohead songs in 1 second? (Part 2) – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iNMYlqEd70

Summary

### Summary
The text is a transcript of a conversation where the speakers identify songs based on their sounds. They discuss Radiohead and Muse songs, with a focus on the drum sound to identify the era of the song. The speakers also discuss „Subterranean Homesick Alien“ from OK Computer. They mention the use of samples in music and the challenge of identifying songs when unsure.

Highlights

• Discussion about identifying songs based on their sounds
• Focus on the drum sound to identify the era of the song
• Discussion about „Subterranean Homesick Alien“ from OK Computer
• Mention of the use of samples in music and the challenge of identifying songs when unsure

Key Takeaways

• The speakers are trying to identify songs by analyzing their characteristics and discussing them with others
• They mention a kick drum that sounds organic and a trap machine, along with the possibility of the song being from Radiohead’s album „King of Limbs.“
• The speaker discusses a guitar part where emphasis changes, and the difficulty of identifying the song if one is not familiar with it.

Can you guess the Radiohead sample? #1 #shorts – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwO0BIuhF6w

Summary

Summary:
The speaker is trying to identify a song or an album from Radiohead that has a futuristic yet clean sound, similar to their production style. They mention „Okay Computer“ and „Feet Are Happy,“ but are not certain about the correct answer.

Highlights:
– The speaker is discussing a music piece, possibly by Radiohead.
– The song or album has a futuristic yet clean sound.
– Possible references include „Okay Computer“ and „Feet Are Happy.“

Key Takeaways:
– The discussion revolves around identifying a specific song or album based on its unique sound.

Can you guess the Radiohead sample? #2 #shorts – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLF3y8eOmFE

Summary

### Summary
The transcript is about a discussion surrounding a song or piece of music from „Moon Shaped Pool“ album by Radiohead. The speaker expresses uncertainty about the specific song but suggests it might end in a particular manner, possibly pointing to a key element of the song. They emphasize the importance of the first note and attempt to identify the instrument responsible for it. In the end, they are leaning towards their initial guess that the song is from the „Moon Shaped Pool“ album and mention the numbers.

Highlights

• Discussion about a song or piece of music from „Moon Shaped Pool“ album by Radiohead
• Uncertainty about the specific song, but suggestion of its ending
• Importance of the first note and trying to identify the instrument responsible for it

Key Takeaways

• Leaning towards initial guess that the song is from the „Moon Shaped Pool“ album
• Mention of numbers

How to plug your guitar into your computer | Hi-Z instrument input vs Line input explained – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GH411St0Vo

Summary

### Summary

In this video, the main topic is how to properly record electric guitars and bass using an audio interface. The speaker provides guidance on passive vs active instruments, impedance matching, and the use of a DI box when no instrument input is available.

Highlights

• Passive and active instruments have different requirements for recording.
• Hi-Z input is used for passive instruments, while line input is used for active instruments.
• Impedance matching prevents loss of volume and treble reduction.
• A DI box can be used when there’s no instrument input on the audio interface.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the difference between passive and active instruments is crucial for proper recording.
• Using the correct input type ensures optimal sound quality.
• Impedance matching is essential to avoid loss of volume and treble reduction.

The Basics of Audio Filters – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb3itEvPoX8

Summary

### Summary

In this video, the basics of audio filters in Sound Engineering and Sound Design are discussed. Filters are essential tools for removing unwanted parts of the audio spectrum and emphasizing desired frequencies. There are four main types of filters: low pass, high pass, band pass, and band stop filters. The cut-off frequency is a filter’s primary characteristic, categorizing it into these groups. Moreover, we learn that the frequencies allowed to pass are known as the pass band, while the frequencies blocked are called the stop band. The rate at which attenuation occurs in the stop band is referred to as the slope of the filter, typically measured in decibels per octave.

Highlights

• Filters eliminate unwanted audio spectrum and accentuate desired frequencies
• Four main types: low pass, high pass, band pass, and band stop filters
• Cut-off frequency serves as the filter’s primary characteristic
• Frequencies allowed to pass = pass band; blocked frequencies = stop band
• Attenuation rate in stop band = slope of the filter (measured in decibels per octave)

Key Takeaways

• Filters are crucial for managing the audio spectrum and enhancing desired frequencies

Hi-Z Instrument input vs Line Input on your audio interface – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdsZX4rZWas

Summary

### Summary

The text discusses the differences in sound quality when a guitar is plugged into high impedance and low impedance line level inputs. It emphasizes that when a guitar is plugged directly into a low impedance line level input, it may not be loud enough and can lose high frequency content. In contrast, when connected to a high impedance input, the difference in sound quality is evident.

Highlights

• 🎸 Audio Demo: Compare high Z and low Z input for guitar
• 🎸 Guitar plugged into low impedance line level input: Not loud enough, loss of high frequency content
• 🎸 Guitar plugged into high impedance input: Clear difference in sound quality

Key Takeaways

• 🎸 Important to choose the right input for your guitar to maintain sound quality and volume
• 🎸 High impedance inputs can provide better sound when using a guitar
• 🎸 Low frequency content is lost when connecting directly to low impedance line level inputs

A/D Conversion, Sample Rate & Bit Depth for audio explained – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R4SNrdLSEI

Summary

### Summary

• Analog signals are continuous electrical signals that computers can’t understand, so they need to be converted into digital ones using A/D (Analog to Digital) and D/A (Digital to Analog) converters.
• The accuracy of conversion depends on sampling rate and bit depth.
• Standard sample rate is 44.1 kHz for CDs, mp3s, etc., and 16 bits is standard for most digital audio.

Highlights

• 📡 Converters: A/D and D/A are used to convert analog signals into digital ones that computers can understand.
• 🔍 The accuracy of the conversion depends on the sampling rate (how often it’s performed) and bit depth (how many values are used).
• 💻 The standard sample rate for digital audio is 44.1 kHz, and 16 bits is standard for most digital audio.

Key Takeaways

• 🔊 Analog signals need to be converted into digital ones for computers to process them.
• ⚙️ The accuracy of the conversion depends on the sampling rate (how often it’s performed) and bit depth (how many values are used).
• 📅 The standard sample rate for digital audio is 44.1 kHz, and 16 bits is standard for most digital audio.

We built a STUDIO! – Mixed Signals

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYVneWuhfdQ

Summary

### Summary
The hosts of Mixed Signals, Berk and Vasilis, announce their new studio equipped with synthesizers for synth tutorials, a vocal booth for recording tutorials or covers, and a table where they can review items or chat about music. They thank their subscribers for supporting them over the past couple of years and plan to take their channel more seriously now that they have reached 1000 subscribers.

Highlights

• New studio with synthesizers, vocal booth, and table for reviews or chats 🎛️
• Reaching 1000 subscribers 🎉
• Plan to take channel more seriously and be more consistent 💪

Key Takeaways

• Berk and Vasilis appreciate their subscribers‘ support 🤝
• They want to know what kind of videos viewers want to see 🤔