Dynamic expander

organ

Anybody every try these things? It's pro equipment but I've seen it mentioned quite a few times in home audio forums. Some swear by them, some don't like them at all.

We all have many discs that are compressed at the studio, I'm thinking about getting this unit. http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/pages/SKU--6817/index.html

Not a bad price. If it works out in my system, I'll get the better ones.

Maurice

organ

I just found a link for one of their product with some quotes from audio magazines. http://www.bbesound.com/products/ars/ars.asp

Now I really want to try one out.

Maurice

madmax

I have one of their units. On poor quality recordings you can sometimes make them better by bringing out the vocals or other burried stuff. On regular (but not great) recordings you can sometimes make them sound more lively, sometimes not. On great recordings it just messes them up.
madmax

jmierzur

From the description on the site, I'm not sure it could be called a dynamic range expander.


DBX used to make a consumer item that was a true dynamic range expander. It works on the analog line level signal to expand the dynamic range. I have had a dbx 3BX III dynamic range expander since the mid 80's and find it effective on all program material; including new recording that have been compressed. I use it sparingly as I will never willingly sell this unit.

Here is the next year's release of my model on ebay that has dynamic range expansion, impact restoration and I believe also included dynamic range compression.

If you are interested in dbx units, look for one that has at least three bands (expands the low, mid and high frequencies independently) with impact restoration (reconstructs the initial transient of a note). A one band unit will expand all frequencies together and can make certain musical passages sound un-natural.

Here is an auction for another 3BX-DS with clearer pictures.

madmax

I'll have to try one of those. So if the music isn't dynamic this will magnify how dynamic it is?
madmax

jmierzur

Yes, take away below the transition level and add above the transition level. The transition level is variable as well as the percentage of expansion. Compression in the above mentioned units is the inverse of expansion. Still has the same adjustable transition level and percentage of compression.

heiney9

You just have to be careful about getting to jazzed over the description they print. They always say just like they use in the studio. Remember, and I can't stress this enough, as the end product on your cd or whatever format you use you only have 2 channels of information. In the studio where these are used they have access to many many more channels of the recording as they make the final mix thus can do a much better job of tweaking the sound. In essence with a home unit it's all or nothing. Not saying you don't/can't get improvements but I've used computer audio programs (that simulate this exact process) to try to "tweak" some poorer recordings, and with only 2 channels of info available, the results were less than stellar most times.

FWIW

H9

organ

Madmax,
I started reading around and it looks like the BBE's job is to fix phase errors that happen between the woofer and tweeter. For some reason, it was listed under dynamic expander on another site I visited. I may try it out on poor recordings.

Jm,
Thanks for the links. I'm gonna try out one of those. Do they sound natural? I'm thinking about bidding on the link you gave me @ $50 with 4 days left.

heiney,
I wasn't looking for anything that's going to do digital processing or anything. Just a dynamic expander that works in the analog domain.

Maurice

jmierzur

organ wrote:

Jm,
Thanks for the links. I'm gonna try out one of those. Do they sound natural? I'm thinking about bidding on the link you gave me @ $50 with 4 days left.

Actually, compressed sources sound more realistic post expansion with impact restoration.

Good luck with the auctions.