Comparing Analog and Digital Non-Linear Sonic Signatures : an Investigation on Creative Application and Subjective Perception using the Universal Audio 1176 FET Compressor

Sammanfattning: Historically, compression was primarily used as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of clipping or overloading equipment in the recording signal chain. Research on the topic has revealed that modern production applications more commonly include utilizing compression as a creative effect, to impart distortion, manipulate timbre, and modify transients, rather than to control the dynamic range of audio signals. It has also been found that specific compressors are regularly chosen for the sonic signatures that they impart onto audio material. To evaluate the quality of a digitally modeled emulation plugin of a classic compressor, an analog and digital version of the Universal Audio 1176 FET compressor was tested in this study. 20 experienced listeners participated in a MUSHRA-style listening test during which processed sounds were rated based on four attributes. The result of the listening test verifies previous findings on the sonic signature of the 1176, and evidence presented suggests that the plugin can be used for the same creative purposes as the analog device. However, it was also found that intuitive methods could not be used when trying to match the processing of the hardware. Instead, critical listening and user experience seem to be important factors when trying to achieve the same creative effects when using the software plugin.