Why is Transient Controller so awesome?

[Rangler]

I tried volume automation to edit harsh vocal consonants and it didn't sound natural. I tried a bunch of compressors, both free and commercial. Still couldn't fix it.

Then I tried Reaper's own Transient Controller and bam! What is it doing that everything else couldn't?

[dug dog]

Good question.

I would never have thought about using a transient controller for this task, even though it absolutely makes sense to do so.

[ashcat_lt]

EQ turns down things that move fast, no matter how far they move.*

Compression turns down things that move far, no matter how fast.**

Transient controllers turn down things that move far fast.***


* Dynamic EQ is a slightly different story
** Yes, attack, release, and RMS time...

*** Its actually more about sudden changes. A loud steady high frequency signal won't look like a transient, but if it starts or ends abruptly, that will. To be just a little more technical and mathy, it looks at two averages - one over a shorter time than the other. When these deviate significantly, it's considered a transient.

[Glennbo]

I sometimes will use transient shapers on drums. They can bring out the attack of a stick hitting a snare, and give the toms more definition. I've used them on clean single coil guitar too to put even more emphasis on the edge.

[Glennbo]

Originally Posted by Rangler

I tried volume automation to edit harsh vocal consonants and it didn't sound natural. I tried a bunch of compressors, both free and commercial. Still couldn't fix it.

Then I tried Reaper's own Transient Controller and bam! What is it doing that everything else couldn't?

Sounds like a job more suited for a de-esser, which is like a limiter that only affects a narrow band between 2k and 10k. That would be the tool I'd try anyway.

[Eliseat]

Transient controllers just make a sudden effect on every hard attack. If you pull the attack down it practically flattens the peak. Its very efficient and works in both directions without touching anything else. No pumping, no distortion.

I use it all the time to tame hard hitting peaks or to do the opposite if i need more peaks. Its also a quick way to lengthen or shorten kick and snare drums to fit the groove. In this case the sustain parameter does the job.

Greetings

Eli

[woogish]

ashcat_lt -

Boy it's obvious that you really have your head screwed on right - that is one of the
most concise and illuminating responses I have EVER seen on this forum.