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SoundGirls Grants for L-Acoustics Connect Conference

SoundGirls, in collaboration with L-Acoustics, is excited to announce that L-Acoustics will be offering 8 grants to the L-Acoustics Connect conference happening March 11-13, 2025, in Paris, France. These grants will cover the recipient’s registration at the conference, including the training on Day 1 and 4 nights of hotel accommodation. Any person who is an active member of SoundGirls, anywhere in the world, can apply.

Travel expenses such as flights and transportation are not covered by the grant. Meals will be available during the conference. 

APPLY HERE

The trainings offered at the conference on Day 1 include:

You must have completed the following prerequisites to apply for a grant that includes any of the following training on day 1: M1-P1 Measurement & Tuning, Festival Project Workshop, or Touring Project Workshop. 

The prerequisites are indicated below and must be completed before the L-Acoustics Connect conference starts.

Applicants must choose one training day to apply for and L-Acoustics will award one grant for each training+conference except for the L2 System training which will have 2 associated grants awarded.

Applications for the grant are due by January 31, 2025.

Grant recipients will be announced by February 11, 2025.

APPLY HERE

Analog Dynamic Compressors: More to Know

INTRO

Dynamic compressors are a vital part of the signal chain for audio engineering in a variety of scenarios. Their usage to tame the dynamic range of sound is important in giving listeners the ideal experience. The basic knowledge for using compressors remains the same across all the types; however, knowing the intricacies of each type can enhance the resulting mix, and enrich geeky curiosities. The “type” of compressor, in this article, will refer to the type of gain reduction element used in the circuit.

This article involved a lot of research and reading, so if one wants to read further on this topic, there are online and book sources provided at the end. But if one decides to engage in this rabbit hole, good luck. 

REVIEW ON COMPRESSORS

A quick review about dynamic compressors. The basic intention of a dynamic processor is to alter the dynamic range of the audio material passed through. The dynamic range is the difference between the softest and loudest sound. A compressor is used to decrease the audio’s dynamic range. It is to avoid the scenario of a listener having their hand constantly on the volume knob, having to anticipate suddenly turning up the volume at super quiet sections and then turning down the volume when the audio is blasting to prevent their eardrums from bursting.

The basic controls we all know and love are tuned by the user to get the desired output. The threshold is the set level of the audio signal input that’s supposed to trigger the compressor to engage. The ratio controls how much compression is applied to the input signal. A ratio of “X:Y” said to mean that any signals X dB above the threshold gets attenuated by Y dB. The attack time is the time it takes from the uncompressed signal to become a fully compressed signal after the input signal goes over the threshold level. The release time is defined as the time it takes the compressed signal to go back to being an uncompressed signal after the input signal goes back below the threshold level.

Some compressors have additional features such as a knee control or makeup gain with the knee controlling the abruptness of the input signal goes between the compressed and uncompressed upon output. The makeup gain control is present to compensate for the decrease in overall level that’s inherent to the compression process. Another form of the makeup gain control is saying it has an output level control. Some compressors have a control to change how much input level, or uncompressed signal, will initially be sent into the compressor.

Compressors’ central mechanism is the gain reduction element. This usually involves the input signal getting split and routed into two separate paths: the detector path and output path. The detector path will determine how much compression the input signal will undergo in the output path. The output path, of course, undergoing the compression effect itself and routed to the output of the compressor and is what gets heard by the user.

VCA COMPRESSOR TYPES

The first type of gain reduction element to be examined in compressors will be the VCA compressor type. VCA stands for “voltage-controlled amplifier.” The “VCA compressor” designation indicates that the VCA is housed in an integrated circuit chip. These types of compressors are sought after for their ability to have fast attack and release times, transparent and clean sound, and precision in user controls. The fast attack and release times make this type the ideal for controlling and catching transient spikes. VCA compressor types are most likely to have all of the controls everyone is used to seeing and associating with compressors and are the most common.

In the gain reduction circuit for VCA compressors, the integrated circuit (IC) chip contains transistors that read the input signal/voltage. This chip splits the signal into the detector and output paths. Back in the days of analog consoles, consoles had VCA faders. The engineer would switch what other channel faders, on the console, that they wanted to control in a group by linking said channel faders to the VCA group. Then the engineer would be able to physically move the VCA fader level up and down. The VCA fader movement would enable the engineer to control the overall level of the channel faders in the VCA group while maintaining the relative fader mix of those channel faders.

In the VCA compressor, the control signal can be thought of in a way as the engineer moving that VCA fader level up and down, controlling if the signal level in the output path is brought up or down. Among the many things one can use, voltage is capable of being used to control the amount of signal that passes through the VCA. The input signal is copied, and one copy goes to the control path, the other is sent to the audio path. The one in the control path gets converted to DC and then undergoes other alterations through resistors and capacitors based on the user settings of attack and release times. Then, the altered converted DC signal makes its way to the VCA where the effect of the ratio is determined by the levels of the audio signal path input and the altered DC signal being compared. A bigger level difference means the VCA applies more gain reduction. With the IC chip, there’s great precision over gain reduction and an ability to fine tune the sound along with the user’s ability to affect the control path through the front panel controls.

One of the examples that a lot of articles name as the go-to example of the VCA-type compressor is the dbx 160. Other examples include the SSL G and SSL E buss compressors, the API 2500, Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, Focusrite Red 3 and Red 7, Smart Research C2, Alesis 3630, Maxon CP9 Pro Plus, and the Boss CS-3.

FET COMPRESSOR TYPES

Compressors with this type of gain reduction element were designed with the idea to emulate the sound of compressors with vacuum tube gain reduction elements (more on that later) by use of solid state and transistor circuits. FET stands for “field effect transistor.” These compressors are claimed to be more suited when engineers desire a more aggressive compression on the sound. They usually brag a feedback design and give a program-dependent compressor. Their sonic characteristics include being described as punchy, bright, colorful, and being able to preserve transient information. Colorful merely means the compressor adds harmonic distortion that wasn’t present in the original input signal. Another way of thinking of that is saying the FET compressors are less clean sounding than the VCA compressors, for the most part. These for the most part use the feedback configuration.

FET’s are a type of transistor. The word transistor comes from the words “transmitter” and “resistor” put together. A transistor is a type of semiconductor. Semiconductor atoms require a certain amount of charge to conduct electricity, putting them in between being an insulator and a conductor. The FET is a 3-terminal unipolar device, so it depends on one type of charge carrier: electrons or holes. These are voltage-controlled devices. The input voltage determines the output current. The terminals include the drain, source, and gate(s). The gates are located on the sides of the FET and control current flow. The current flow is dependent on the drain-source voltage and drain-source resistance.

In FET compressors, the FET is used as a voltage-controlled variable resistor, where the FET would be the resistor with a resistance that’s determined by the voltage applied to its gate. More voltage applied to the FET gate means a smaller drain-source resistance. Lower FET resistance results in less gain from the FET, so higher strength input signals make the FET reduce in gain, resulting in the reduced signal level.

The famous FET compressor everyone refers to first is the UREI 1176. It also had a less famous stereo version called the UREI 1178. Other FET compressors include the Chandler Little Devil and Daking FET III.

OPTICAL “OPTO” COMPRESSOR TYPES

Electro-optical (opto). compressors employ light-sensitive resistors (LSR) and photocells in their compression mechanism. These compressors are said to be ideal for averaging and smoothing out the dynamics instead of catching transients.

As the name would indicate, the gain reduction circuits from these compressors center around the element of light. The optical isolator circuit inside the compressor is made up of this newly transduced light source and a photocell. Even though audio signal gets converted into voltage by a microphone (a transducer), there is another transducer that converts the voltage into a light signal with proportional brightness in the compressor. The photocell is the detector. The audio signal (voltage), now transduced into light has a brightness that corresponds to the amplitude of the input signal. A higher input signal strength means a brighter light. This light usually is in the form of a light bulb or light emitting diode (LED). The light shines onto a light-sensitive resistor (LSR) which has less resistance when exposed to higher brightness of light. A higher input signal means the light bulb or LED shines brighter onto the LSR. This means the LSR resistance decreased. This LSR is usually configured in a feedback loop or voltage configuration that determines how the input signal will be altered in the output path.

The amount of resistance in the light sensitive element in the LSR determines how much and how fast the compression circuit brings down the input signal when it goes over the threshold. The time it takes for the filament in the light bulb to adjust to the signal input strength is relatively slow (compared to the other compressor types). There’s a lag time between the detection of the light and acting gain reduction on the input signal. There’s also a very nonlinear attack and release response. A big transient may have a quick initial release, but this characteristic will eventually become nonlinear as the output becomes uncompressed again. This is why the opto compressors are not recommended for straight-up taming of transients.

As mentioned, these types of compressors are said to be more ideal in smoothing and averaging out the dynamics. In the days of yore, the light and light sensitive resistor were separate parts, but today the light and LSR are found in one small cylinder. Originally, they were used a lot on bass and guitar tracks, but of course everyone uses them everywhere now.

The big name among opto compressors out there is the Teletronix LA-2A. It’s relative, the Teletronix LA-3A, is also of the opto compressor type. Other opto compressors include the Manley Laboratories ELOP (stands for “Electro Optical”) Limiter, Avalon AD2044, and Shadow Hills Mastering compressor.

VACUUM TUBE AND DELTA-MU COMPRESSOR TYPES

These compressors rely on vacuum tubes as their gain reduction element. “Delta” is a Greek letter and in science is used as a symbol meaning change. The special trait of the tube compressors is their nonlinear compression characteristic resulting in a compression ratio that’s automatically adjusted based on gain reduction and not by the user, which is why these compressors don’t really ever have a separate ratio control. A lot of other compressors use tubes in their circuitry but can’t be defined as a tube compressor because their use of tubes in the circuit is to color the sound instead of using the tube as a gain reduction element. Tube compressors are said to be gentle hitting with a slower reaction than other types, able to add warmth and color, adding good saturation characteristics, and having pleasant distortion.

These compressors live and breathe by their vacuum tubes also known as valves. The Edison Effect says that if a light bulb, where its air has been removed, electrons will flow from the light bulb’s heated filament to a separate electrode. The parts of a vacuum tube include the cathode, electrode(s), anode(s), and envelope. The cathode is what gets heated to supply electrons. An electrode is a part that controls and collects the electrons supplied by the cathode. The anode is a positive electrode. It supplies positive voltage in the space around the cathode. The envelope is where the electrodes are mounted. The plate is usually one of the anodes of the tube, and the goal during operation is for the electrons to flow from the negatively charged cathode to the positively charged plate, which only works if there’s a positive voltage applied to the plate.

As more electrodes and anodes are added to the tube configuration, there’s a different name for the tube. With three electrodes, it’s referred to as a triode. This is where another electrode, the control grid, is put between the cathode and plate. If the plate is positively charged in this setup, the control grid’s DC voltage becomes more negative, repelling more electrons, so the plate current decreases. Correspondingly, if the control grid’s DC voltage is more positively charged, the plate will attract more electrons, increasing the plate’s current. So, in the triode, the plate current varies with the applied signal voltage. Add another electrode, screen grid, between the control grid and the plate, then the tube is called a tetrode. Add a fifth electrode, the suppressor grid, to the cathode, and now the tube can be called a pentode.

In vacuum tubes, as the input signal increases, less current will go to the control grid (one of the electrodes of the vacuum tube), meaning the output signal level decreases.  The control grid is where the input usually gets applied. It controls the electron flow between the cathode and another part of the tube called the plate. The plate is where the output is usually taken from. The delta-mu type tube is a pentode vacuum tube built with a special grid. The gain in the grid can be varied by raising the negative bias on the control grid.

The Manley Laboratories Variable Mu® is the unit that usually comes to mind nowadays when thinking of a delta-mu type compressor. This compressor operates based on its re-biased vacuum tube. So much, in fact, the term Variable Mu® is used more in the engineer vernacular than “delta-mu” today. Manley Laboratories has owned the trademarked Variable Mu® term since the year 2000.

A variable-mu tube, in the prime days of radio broadcasting, was also called a remote-cutoff amplifier tube. This was a specific type of tetrode or pentode, made to reduce modulation distortion and cross modulation. It’s claim to fame is being able to handle both large and small strength input signals in a large dynamic range with a result that yields minimum levels of distortion. The remote-cutoff tube’s grid is specifically structured to allow a variation in the tube’s amplification factor due to any change in the grid’s bias. The control grid is specially wound with open spacing in the middle and closed space at its end. So, if low strength input is applied to the tube’s input, the grid bias will be low and the tube output acts like a normal tube. But as the input signal increases, the grid bias will become more negative to handle this, so the electrons flowing from the end cathode sections (that have winding that’s not as spaced) will get cutoff, meaning the plate current will only have the middle section of the cathode (with the spaced out winding) to rely on to operate. The result is the tube’s gain has changed so the larger signal doesn’t get distorted.

The other famous delta-mu compressors are the Fairchild 660 and its relative the Fairchild 670. Other delta-mu compressors include the RCA BA-6A, Altec 436, Universal Audio 175, Universal Audio 176, Collins 26UI, Collins 356E1, Federal AM864U, and the Gates Sta-Level.

OTHER TYPES OF COMPRESSORS

These types of compressors also exist, but you don’t really hear about them as much for various reasons. It was probably due to complexity or money.

There are the diode ring compressors. Diodes are components that only allow electrons to flow in one direction. These are based on the diode ring or diode bridge configuration and are said to add color due to the inherent harmonic distortion from the diodes and the transformers in the circuitry. The input signal is sent through 2 opposite corners of the diode bridge, and a control signal is sent across the other 2 opposite corners of the diode bridge. The diodes act as a VCA but only in a certain range and under a bunch of specific circumstances and specific transformer setup. Then the diodes’ conductance varies with applied voltage. Even then, it requires a bunch of other specific conditions before it starts being compressed. These compressors have a long and proud history in radio broadcasting for auto level control but aren’t really seen in the modern compressor scene. The compression curves, attack, and release characteristics can be independently configured from the compression element in the circuit. Some examples include the Neve 2264, Neve 33609, Neve TG12413, Chandler TG1, Chandler TG12413 Zener, Rupert Neve Designs 5254, and the Rupert Neve Shelford Channel Strip Compressor.

There are compressors based on operational transconductance amplifiers (OTA). The circuitry, in the simplest terms, can be thought of like a VCA chip, but the output is a varied current instead of a varied voltage. Transconductance is a measurement of amplifier gain that relates input voltage with output voltage. Usually, transconductance is measured in Siemens. The OTA has a pair of differential inputs and a single output. The output is a current. The gain in the OTA is expressed as conductance. The inner workings of this compressor go beyond this article. The epitome OTA-based compressor is the original MXR Dyna Comp. It ran on the CA3280 OTA originally manufactured by RCA and released in 1971. The original CA3280’s are not manufactured anymore. There were a lot of company acquisitions and mergers that ultimately led to MXR being buried somewhere under the reorganized Intersil (not the original Intersil – it’s a rabbit hole if one chooses to research further). Now the modern alternatives that don’t live up to the original, according to many, include the LM13600 (also discontinued as of 2005) LM13700 – both licensed by National Semiconductor. The rarity of the original CA3280 as a replacement part no doubt contributes to the lack of mentions of the OTA-type compressors.  

MORE COMPRESSOR TRIVIA

Remember that a dynamic equalizer is NOT the same as a multi-band compressor. The multi-band compressor involves the frequency range getting split into bands via crossover networks (in a passive circuit). Each of these split frequency bands has a fixed center frequency and each of them get their own dedicated compression controls. In a dynamic equalizer, the crossover filter EQ slopes are not fixed so the user can the center frequency of the frequency band they want to compress.

Sometimes on compressors, there’s an option near the release called “auto-release.” This means each of the time constant circuits in the unit will have different dedicated capacitors for different input signal level. The loudest signal voltages will charge one of the capacitors that’s set to have a super quick discharge time. The quietest signals will have a capacitor that’s set to have the slow discharge time. There may be other capacitors that are set to work with input signals with levels in between loudest and quietest levels. This setup allows a more natural sounding release and recovery to the uncompressed state on a signal. Once the signal goes below the threshold, the recovery back to uncompressed is initially quick, but then slows down, with the intention to avoid the pumping effect and goal of letting ambient noise not being so obvious.

CONCLUSION

With the various sources viewed in researching for this article, the best conclusion that can be drawn about analog compressor types is that one needs to find a hardware unit or watch videos of people with them to hear different output qualities of different compressor types. The different opinions of people’s subjective experience with each one, compounded with the added ideas of using it outside of intended straightforward level control, means one needs to draw their own conclusion about the different types of compressor gain reduction circuits. Just use your ears.

Technical Consultants

EveAnna Dauray Manley

Robert Morin

Joe Vezzetti

Online Sources (there are a lot)

audiohertz.com/2017/08/07/what-are-the-different-types-of-compressors/

create.routenote.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-compressors/

masteringtuition.com/tutorial/limiters/

reverb.com/news/reverbs-guide-to-audio-compressor-types

reverb.com/news/what-are-the-types-of-compressor-effects-the-basics

samplecraze.com/product/multiband-compression/

smmastering.com/know-the-types-of-compressors-and-how-they-work/

samplecraze.com/product/the-4-modes-of-compression/

samplecraze.com/tutorials/compressor-types-fet-opto-vca-and-vari-mu/

till.com/blog/archives/2005/06/last_of_the_ota.html

www.electrosmash.com/mxr-dyna-comp-analysis

www.izotope.com/en/learn/4-types-of-analog-compression-and-why-they-matter-in-a-digital-world.html?srsltid=AfmBOopVMibVnl0jLRv7qAw7HkYe62-k44-I9FZIMLXfFHPPYhnEdh13

www.manley.com

www.masteringbox.com/learn/audio-compressors-vca-opto-fet-compression-circuit-types

www.ovnilab.com/articles/comptypes.shtml

www.practical-music-production.com/different-types-of-audio-compressors/

www.soundonsound.com/techniques/compressor-circuits

www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-what-does-compressors-auto-release-control-do

www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-compressors

www.uaudio.com/blog/audio-compression-basics/?srsltid=AfmBOormoeJAm-pluO8DNk7SlMMXn7A2UdLaOWnfzxn1brtjyfpmF6fc

www.uaudio.com/blog/teletronix-la-3a-origins/

www.uaudio.com/blog/tube-v-solid-state-compressors/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4mgsNN7glo

Books and Scanned PDFs

Audio Cyclopedia 2nd ed.; Howard M. Tremaine; 1979

Grob’s Basic Electronics 11th ed. Mitchel E. Schultz, 2011

Manley ELOP®+ Owner’s Manual Manley Laboratories, Inc., 2015

Manley Stereo Variable Mu® Owner’s Manual Manley Laboratories, Inc., rev. Oct. 2023

Model 1176LN Solid-State Limiting Amplifier Universal Audio, Inc. 2009

RCA Receiving Tube Manual 1975

Go Bother People

Over the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to do a handful of interviews (thanks to SoundGirls) and some talkbacks (thanks to Outsiders). After a while I noticed that eventually someone always asks a version of “what’s one piece of advice you would give?” My response to that usually ended up being: Go bother people. Go find someone who’s doing something you want to do (or something even remotely connected) and ask them how they got there. Ask them what they learned and what they would share with someone just starting out.

Personally, I love when people come up to the console during intermission or after a show to ask questions and share that they might be interested in pursuing theatre as a career. I have a stack of business cards at FOH just waiting for someone to walk up and start a conversation.

However, I also know that walking up to a strange to start a conversation is not an easy thing to do. I was the quiet kid in college who was more likely to sit back and absorb what was happening than put myself out there and ask questions. I was always worried about sounding dumb or appearing pushy or annoying. But now that I’m on the other side of those interactions, I wish I’d spoken up and reached out more. The truth is that almost everyone is happy to talk and answer questions. We’re all potential mentors just waiting to have an audience for our stories.

So, when you find someone doing what you want to do, go talk to them. If it’s at a show, find a moment before the show starts or at intermission to say hi, let them know that you’re interested in what they’re doing, and ask if you can come back at intermission or after the show to chat. Bonus points if you can find their job in the playbill and know their name! If I know someone’s going to come back to say hi, I’ll actually stick around at intermission, otherwise I book it backstage as quickly as I can to avoid everyone charging to the bathrooms or standing in the bar line.

Then, when you get to talk to them, think of a specific question or two to ask. I couldn’t care less if it’s “how long have you been doing this?” or “how do you like working on this show?” Even what seems like a simple question can spark a larger conversation. (Pro tip: if you’re a little shy and your parents are with you, bring them along as a buffer. They are great at asking questions, especially when they’re talking to someone about their kids’ potential future career.)

What it comes down to is that I want to talk to you and share what I do, but I want it to be things that you’re actually interested in. Just like you, most of us aren’t great at talking to people we’ve never met, so if you can give us even a nudge in the right direction it can help immensely.

Before you leave, ask if you can email them or reach out to them on social media. Some people just don’t think about it in the moment, but will be happy to say yes if you bring it up. I know of several people who keep business cards at FOH for that very reason.

If you forget, see if you can look them up somehow. I’ve had people message me on my LinkedIn profile or email SoundGirls asking them to forward an email so I can get in touch with them.

Once you have their contact info the most important step is to actually follow up and send the email. It wasn’t a first date, you don’t have to wait the proverbial three days so you don’t seem desperate. You want to show that you’re interested. I would guess the number of people who’ve followed up with me is a slim 10% or less.

Just like the initial questions, this doesn’t have to be eloquent or complicated. A simple “Thanks for giving me your card, would you mind if I reach out in the future with any questions?” is a perfectly fine intro. I think far too many people get too into their heads about needing to make a grand gesture when all you need is the electronic version of reaching out for a handshake.

Don’t get discouraged if the response isn’t immediate. There are plenty of times I’ve read an email, marked it to respond later, then got distracted with any number of things. Or it accidentally got filtered into Spam.

Since I still vividly remember what it’s like being the kid that didn’t want to cause a fuss I’ll make a point to tell people to give me a nudge if they don’t hear from me in a week. It’s not rude or pushy to do that follow up, often times we just get sidetracked and forget that we haven’t actually responded.

In general, I would say three is the magic number for trying to establish contact initially. If you reach out that many times over the course of a couple weeks and don’t hear anything back, likely they don’t have the time to respond. If you’ve already been talking, you have some more leeway since there’s an established relationship.

Once you have reached out and they’ve responded, continue to ask specific questions, even if it feels simplistic or like you’re just making up something to reach out to them. Like I said before, specific questions are easier to answer and once you start a conversation, the responses you get will bring up other questions and make it easy to continue chatting.

This is something that applies not only to meeting new people, but for reaching out to the ones you know. When you’re starting out in your career don’t be afraid to reach out and ask people for advice or see if you can shadow on projects they’re working on or let them know you’d like to work with them if there’s ever an opportunity.

Quite honestly, these are things you should do no matter where you are in your career. You can’t expect other people to read your mind, so learning to advocate for yourself and ask for opportunities early in your career will help you down the road. If you get nervous about reaching out to someone, just remember that we’re all people.

Imagine someone a few years younger than yourself coming to ask for help. Would you be happy to lend a hand and give them advice? The answer is usually yes, and the same applies in the other direction when you’re the ones asking for help.

So this is your sign to take a moment today and think of someone you’ve wanted to learn from. Then go reach out and ask them for help. Chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Reflections on the Touring Year

I’m going to reflect on internal dialogue I’ve had throughout the span of a 3.5 month tour. I’ll share some current mix and lifestyle perspectives that may encourage others to start conversations and consider their own journeys.

Systems 

As a FOH engineer, I find it beneficial to invite people into a conversation. For example, I can create a dialogue with the systems engineer and ask them if they’re familiar with the room, what their approach for tuning is, and make them aware of my expectations for the show. I’ll ask if they can walk around during the show and I’ll inquire about specific areas of concern. This can highlight areas of improvement for me, as well as learning how other’s ears work.

In the off-season, I’ve found it important to study and attend systems classes from the manufacturers. Meyer, L-Acoustics, and d&b all offer online and in person educational opportunities. After being in many this past spring, I’ve felt more confident than ever approaching systems engineers with more comprehensive knowledge of software and have been more equipped to articulate my needs. This in turn has helped us achieve better products and have a much nicer day.

Mixing 

Refraining from gatekeeping your mix can benefit you and also other engineers. I’ve learned a lot about my perception of sound and have gained new techniques from having intentional conversations with other audio folks.

Compression can be useful, but it’s important to become comfortable exploring my comfort zone and not always doing what visually seems appropriate, but instead trying to listen and feel to achieve the best translation between systems and rooms. For instance, you may use less vocal compression in the studio, but if you’re mixing a pop vocal live, you might find it useful to introduce slower attack and release times to massage the articulation and phrasing into a suitable place for the mix. Double compression can also be your friend. Also in some instances this last tour, I’ve felt as if the PA responded better to less compression, especially on drums. Anticipating these changes ahead of time has helped me be more efficient.

Mental Health 

Having some type of routine can make a significant impact on your well-being. Make time to exercise, journal, or read at some point in the day, either to wake up or wind down or just to get away from the noise, even for a second. Call your loved ones back home, and find ways to have connected conversations. When we are physically disconnected from people, refraining from or partaking in certain conversations can make you feel even more distanced.

Kindness and a little bit of patience with everyone goes a long way, whether it’s your tour companions or local support.

Figure out what drives you, and what you consider success. Make sure you’ve positioned yourself in an environment that helps you live out your dream and not be resentful of the life and career you’re living. You should have a team supporting you, and a team you want to support. Lastly, those people should also encourage you to have fun, relax, and enjoy the little moments.

AI in Audio and Music: Dazzling Development or Threat to Creativity?

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has been a hot topic for some time in the news, on social media, and around the physical and virtual water coolers. Numerous content creator accounts dedicated to AI-generated art and videos have sprung up, featuring spectacular creations from the beautiful to the bizarre, and amusing mash-ups (one of my favourites being a techno version of Harry Potter set in Berlin). You can now hear long-gone artists such as Freddie Mercury sing new songs that sound eerily realistic, or generate a whole album’s worth of lyrics, melodies, harmonies and even entire songs in the genre of your choice using prompts and suggestions.

Is this impressive advancement a tool to be celebrated and embraced? Or should we fear what AI is capable of creating, and that it will do a superior job than humans and make certain jobs and careers obsolete? There are many complicated moral questions attached to the use of AI, stemming from the multitude of fascinating ways that AI is being used in audio and music.

Generative AI

Generative AI is a digital tool that can generate audio content using input from text prompts, based on what it learns from existing audio media. Some productive ways it can be used for include sound design (think of the possibilities for unworldly sci-fi sounds!), voice synthesis and text-to-speech creation for narrated entertainment, information services and accessibility aids (a huge benefit for people with speech, vision or mobility difficulties), and music creation to help take songwriters’ and composers’ musical visions to the next level, or allow novice music lovers to explore music creation.

Audio tools for efficiency

There are many AI tools that can make our work as sound engineers more efficient. Certain AI tools can help audio engineers to streamline their workflows and automate file creation and management. AI algorithms can be used to great effect in audio restoration, to separate unwanted audio signals. A wonderful example is AI being used to extract John Lennon’s vocals from a lo-fi ‘70s recording (by the remaining Beatles members themselves) to complete and release a new Beatles song, “Now and Then”.

AI mixing and mastering tools can analyse a track and give suggested improvements or a useful starting point. Given music-making’s democratisation and the fact that anyone can release a track into the world and may not necessarily have the means to employ an expert, an AI plugin might be the next best option. It may also function as a training tool, to help novice sound engineers compare different mix possibilities and fine-tune their listening skills.

Technical disadvantages

While AI is learning and improving at an impressive (and perhaps alarming) rate, it is still far from perfect. Songs generated by AI often have odd or awkward-sounding moments, whether it’s lyrics with weird grammar, or a glitchy transition. Synthesised voices can sound unnatural and robotic. Poor audio quality and inconsistencies make it inevitable that – in our current times – a song recorded and mixed by a human sound engineer will sound superior.

Moral concerns

The cloning and mimicry of famous voices (commonly known as “deepfake” technology) and songwriting styles can be used to twist someone’s words, create misinformation, or “steal” someone’s musical style and generate new content. The question of who owns and retains copyright of content generated by an AI tool, and if it’s fair to generate new music based on someone’s music without compensating them, is a complex one. This is an issue also widely debated in the visual art world, with companies such as OpenAI being sued by various groups of artists. It’s likely that new laws surrounding AI and intellectual property may need to be passed in the future.

Lastly, the possibility of AI taking the place of humans in various creative or technical jobs does seem a potential threat, as AI improves day by day. As we navigate these astounding technological advancements, hopefully we’ll find the best way forward to use AI for positive productivity, efficiency and creativity, and not for malicious intent.

What does AI say about it all?

Perhaps ChatGPT’s own response, when asked what AI means for the music and audio industries, best sums it up:

“Overall, AI has the potential to streamline various processes in the audio and music industries, fostering innovation, efficiency, and new creative possibilities. However, it also raises questions about copyright, authenticity, and the role of human creativity in the artistic process.”

(P.S. The hilarious image accompanying this blog post was AI generated using Deep Dream Generator. The text was not and was written by me, a bonafide human!)

33 ⅓ The Raincoats

Finishing off the year with a lighter read is The Raincoats by Jenn Pelly.  This book is part of 33 ⅓, a series that deep dives into beloved albums.  I found this copy while on an annual west coast trip and I took a routine pilgrimage to the SeaTac SubPop store.  Among the collection of cassettes, LP’s, and other merch, there was a collection of bite size books, each boasting classic titles.  I scanned for something I could share with SoundGirls and a magenta spine stood out.

I am a self-declared riot grrrl fan, and therefore Fairytale in the Supermarket and Lola are on regular rotation.  Their sound is rough and full of energy.  Even though their sound matches the 90’s feminist grunge movement, they predate them by over a decade.  I was not aware of that fact before this book.  And, for those not familiar with their self-titled album, it sports a painting from Chinese propaganda of school children singing a song, I was not even aware of what the members even looked like.

Bordered by magenta and black, this petite book sports the The Raincoats self-titled album cover.  Inside is a perfect travel read while listening to the album in question. Author Jenn Pelly writes reviews for Pitchfork and other large publications.  Her hand is deft at demystifying the mythos around the Raincoats.

The Raincoats are a band that, while adjacent to British punk of the 70’s, are not cemented to any time or place.  The members have ties to The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Slits, Patti Smith, and X-Ray Spex.  They hailed from Spain, Portugal, and England, but made their home in the squats of London.  This book introduces us to the band, their background, their ethos.  We are on a journey of song creation.  After the band introductions we are led through the track list, with the starting with the post-release addendum of Fairytale in the Supermarket.  Pelly shows us that this is a band not afraid of changes, of learning, and of discussions.  We get the whole picture through interviews and Polaroids.

Reading about The Raincoats reminded me of the crew of The Maiden, the yacht that made the first all-female crew to place in the Whitbred Round the World Race chronicled in the 2018 documentary Maiden.  Both groups had their own power, and did things their own way.  They also took the initiative to document their journey.  As if they knew their voices would be important to others, but also because it was important to themselves.  This is zine culture, creating a record of your history, because who else is going to tell it?  The boys are all looking away, but you know you are creating something of value.  Jenn Pelly adds to that narrative.  She includes quips from those who were influenced by The Raincoats, lyrics woven through narratives, handmade flyers, and tour diaries.  This is The Raincoats in their own words, and we are The Raincoats.  We can write about ourselves, we won’t get lost in ‘The Void.’

Amanda Uretsky General Entertainment Technician for the “Happiest Place on Earth”

From a young age, Amanda had a deep fascination with live entertainment, particularly the behind-the-scenes aspects of shows. Growing up, her curiosity about the technical side of performances began during family trips to Disney World, where she was more interested in the front-of-house booth than the shows themselves. In high school, Amanda took her first steps into the audio world by joining the tech crew and volunteering at a local music school’s recording studio. Her passion for audio blossomed as she learned the ropes, running sound for school assemblies and theater productions.

Amanda went on to study at Rowan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry with concentrations in Music Technology and Music Business, along with a minor in entrepreneurship. Throughout college, she gained practical experience through internships, freelance gigs, and work-study programs, honing her skills in both live and recorded audio. Her dedication to learning, along with mentorship from a professor in live sound, solidified her career aspirations.

Now working at Disney, Amanda enjoys the variety and challenges that come with working across multiple disciplines, including audio, pyrotechnics, and props. Although the long hours and holidays away from family can be difficult, the rewards of bringing entertainment to life at Disney make it all worthwhile. Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to stay with Disney long-term, with aspirations of becoming an audio designer. Her advice for others, especially women in the field, is to keep learning, communicate well, and always be willing to grow.

Career Start

How did you get your start?

I was able to work backstage on our school production of Beauty and the Beast that fall 2015 and by the spring I was running sound for assemblies on my own. In my junior year, I was able to work mainly backstage as A2 on the school’s Hairspray. Senior year, I was co-A1 with another student for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. We switched on and off between who would A1 the vocals vs the band. I also was the A1 for our Musical Theatre Ensemble’s showcase. The two productions senior year really engraved in my head that is what I wanted to do as my profession and not just as a hobby or in my free time. During college I stepped up for as many freelance gigs as possible, worked in the work study program at Rowan, and interned with a professor in his recording studio.

How did your early internships or jobs help build a foundation for where you are now?

During my work study and classes, I got more comfortable in some of the areas of recording music and live that I never had learned prior. The internships and jobs helped me network with people, build relationships, and get confident in myself.

What did you learn interning or on your early gigs?

During my recording internship, I gained extensive knowledge of patching, how exactly to mic different instruments, and what works best for what instrument. With live sound, I was able to see what a true load in and load out looked like. There were days that were 17 hours long due to having to pick up the gear and then drive to a venue before setting up, running sound checks, performing shows, and then striking that same night. I learned some days will be worse than others but in the end, the outcome is almost always worth the pain, trouble, and long hours.

Did you have a mentor or someone that really helped you?

During my college career, I got extremely close with Barbara Adams, one of my professors in live sound. She taught me so much of what I didn’t learn in high school, such as how to run a board during a show and how to troubleshoot extensively.

Career Now

What is a typical day like?

At Disney, they like you to know multiple disciplines so you can be put into multiple places. Since starting at Disney, I have worked in audio, pyrotechnics, effects, parades, and props. Being in the Magic Kingdom, my day can vary depending on the season we are in. During my first year I was working 6:45am-2am some days and other days I was working 6:45am -5:15 pm or 5pm-2am. Days can be very long but they are also rewarding seeing the looks on guests’ faces as entertainment happens at Disney. It can be a lot of hard work, having to move set pieces, or climb flights of stairs and ladders, or even needing to mop a stage and dry the set off.

How do you stay organized and focused?

It definitely is difficult, I have a monthly and weekly calendar on my front door and refrigerator as well as a physical planner. I put all appointments, meetings, work shifts, even things I do in my free time because staying organized without a set schedule can be really hard. Staying focused is easier with the planner because I can see what I need to do and when it needs to happen or be done by.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I love being able to be constantly moving and never having the same day twice. It’s rare that you will have the exact same crew of techs day in and day out unless for special events. I love that if things such as weather is an issue, there’s communication.

What do you like least?

Since we are open 365 days a year, you most likely won’t have holidays off until you’ve gained seniority. It can get lonely on those holidays after work because most likely, your family is hundreds of miles away and you can’t just go over for dinner after work anymore.

What is your favorite day off activity? 

I love to read or spend time with my friends if our schedules work out

What are your long term goals

I would love to stay with Disney long term and even become an audio designer at some point

What if any obstacles or barriers have you faced?

The biggest obstacle isn’t with the job but it’s learning how to be away from the ones you love and learn to work with all kinds of people.

How have you dealt with them?

Being away from family just means you might call or Facetime them more often. As for working with others, it’s something everyone needs to do. There are many women in tech at Disney, so there isn’t a stigma around women in the field like other places.

Advice you have for other women and young women who wish to enter the field?

Keep learning, take constructive criticism, and be you. The profession is tough but with knowledge and communication, you can do it.

Must have skills?

Detail-oriented, willing to learn, communication. Dante, QLab, and Q-sys are all extremely helpful wherever you go in audio.

Favorite gear?

I’m partial to the Yamaha QL series mixing boards

Call for Co-Host: SoundGirls Podcast

Are you passionate about audio and storytelling? The SoundGirls Podcast is looking for a co-host to join our team!

We’re seeking someone positive, enthusiastic, and eager to explore and interview professional audio engineers across all facets of the industry.

As a co-host, you’ll work alongside Katie Maifield to record and produce 12 episodes throughout the year. This role requires a time commitment of approximately 10–20 hours per month.

You’ll collaborate with our incredible team:

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you! Apply here

Join us in amplifying the voices of audio professionals worldwide!

Emotion through Musical Interpretation

In 2017, I sat in a small chamber orchestra with colleagues, carefully treading across the churning melodies that constructed “Hammersmith” by Gustav Holst. Our mentors spent countless weeks helping us learn how to evoke an image within our audience’s minds, showing us what to listen for and how to use colors and textures on our instruments to collectively paint the image Holst had intended.

Other orchestral pieces are also really significant in their contribution to emotional perception. “The Planets,” also by Gustav Holst, is another powerful example. Throughout the composition, the players are handed a myriad of musical components that elicit the feeling of the sublime, or grief, or even charisma within the whimsical melodies.

I’m not providing a crash course on classical music, but really emphasizing the importance of musical nuances in helping evoke emotion within an audience. Becoming a critical listener and creator in the orchestral environment reinforced my perception and association of sound, and so much of this has been along my journey as a mixer. With careful consideration, we can use some of this thinking to tastefully shape the mood and audience experience.

In collegiate orchestra, our conductor encouraged specific musicians to play louder or softer with emotive hand gestures. Some tools we have as engineers help us to lean into the music in the same manner. First, the SPL meter can be a useful visual aid in helping us manage the ebb and flow of volume and dynamic range within a song, or even a set. Intentionally utilizing soft moments in contrast to huge impactful ones lets the music breathe and emphasizes what the song is probably already trying to accomplish.

Melodic content is also key. For instance, we can vary the musical journey of a song by emphasizing different harmonies or rhythms. These may provide new interest by enhancing lyrical concepts.  An intricate high hat pattern pulls forward a groove that pushes the listeners to dance a little. It might be accompanied by a complimentary guitar pattern. It’s up to creative interpretation to choose elements such as these to give the music some life. Watching the musicians and their body language may help us identify these, and even watching closely to the lighting design can be helpful to piece together musical moments.

Lastly, the use of delays and reverbs can help us evoke a mood. I personally enjoy using delays to create textures, and reverbs to create space and depth, layering them as needed. I also love a delay throw that briefly carries on a phrase, or a lingering reverb that washes an instrument or word into the next motif. Some of these can create color or tension. Other tools, such as compressors, can be artistically used to emphasize tonal characteristics. Listening to records or other live albums have helped me to shape my understanding of depth and sound stages, and learning how to incorporate those feelings and visuals into what I’m mixing is difficult but rewarding.

The ideas feel endless. The subjectivity of the craft and our tastes provides so much room for interpretation and exploration. Most importantly, let the music have life and movement. Our associations between sound and emotion are incredibly strong, and we can always continue leaning into that.

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