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Old 01-27-2020, 11:05 AM   #1
akademie
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Default How to emulate WASAPI Shared mode compression?

How to simulate/emulate the behavior of compression that is automatically engaged by audio system driver when used Shared mode in WASAPI (instead of Exclusive mode which does nothing (and it is right) to the Reaper output audio)?

Why?
Sometimes I forget that audio driver is set to Shared mode (e.g. using new portable install, another test notebook etc.). And I start tweaking the sound (even one track only great - bass sound or so), then I find I am satisfied with the result (full, fat sound or anything) only to find out few seconds later that I am in "Shared mode" of the driver and when set back to "Exclusice mode" then "that" sound is gone as "the internal system driver" compression is not there when using Exclusive mode.

I find that Shared mode compression has specific character (and easy to tweak - as it has no controls ;-)

Can anybody recommend settings (for any Reaper native Rea/JS compressor/limiter) or specific 3rd party (free) compressor/limiter with that specific behavior?

Thanks

Last edited by akademie; 01-27-2020 at 11:09 AM. Reason: typos
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Old 01-27-2020, 10:59 PM   #2
ErBird
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The Windows limiter is a pain, imo. It is placed nonsensically BEFORE the Windows volume control so even lowering the overall volume doesn't bring it below the threshold. And you can't explicitly turn it off. You can disable it only by disabling all enhancements for the sound device. I can't do that since I use Equalizer APO for my laptop speakers and that would be disabled as well.

Anyway, set ReaComp to zero attack, infinite ratio and release to taste. Probably between 50-500 ms. It's not necessarily a good sound.
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Old 01-28-2020, 06:32 AM   #3
nofish
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Imo better way would be to disable the Windows' sound 'enhancements' completely (unless required for some reason of course, as in ErBird's case).
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Old 01-28-2020, 06:43 AM   #4
akademie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nofish View Post
Imo better way would be to disable the Windows' sound 'enhancements' completely (unless required for some reason of course, as in ErBird's case).
Well, that's it. There is not problem in shared mode.
The thing is that sometimes it affects the sound in good, pleasant way.
So to preserve it, I am looking for substitution for the same effect.

I hope it is more clear now :-)
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Old 01-28-2020, 06:45 AM   #5
akademie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ErBird View Post
The Windows limiter is a pain, imo. It is placed nonsensically BEFORE the Windows volume control so even lowering the overall volume doesn't bring it below the threshold. And you can't explicitly turn it off. You can disable it only by disabling all enhancements for the sound device. I can't do that since I use Equalizer APO for my laptop speakers and that would be disabled as well.

Anyway, set ReaComp to zero attack, infinite ratio and release to taste. Probably between 50-500 ms. It's not necessarily a good sound.
Thanks ErBird, I will try some settings in ReaComp later.

I was hoping that someone will know how the compression exactly works (technically) in the windows driver in Shared mode. So it would be then easier to find substitution...

Last edited by akademie; 01-28-2020 at 06:46 AM. Reason: typo
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Old 01-28-2020, 10:58 AM   #6
ErBird
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akademie View Post
I hope it is more clear now :-)
No, I understood. Just giving a little backstory that I've dealt with that limiter before. I did a loopback test a while ago and concluded it's a basic zero-attack infinite-ratio compressor.
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Old 01-28-2020, 11:16 AM   #7
akademie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ErBird View Post
No, I understood. Just giving a little backstory that I've dealt with that limiter before. I did a loopback test a while ago and concluded it's a basic zero-attack infinite-ratio compressor.
Hmm, I will definitelly test it then (I only needed hint from where to start).
I am at work so I will try later today.
Thank you.
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Old 01-29-2020, 07:26 AM   #8
akademie
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Well, ErBird, quickly tried reaComp with your recommended settings and it kinda resembles that behavior of WASAPI Shared mode compression.
I will try it even more later.
Anyway, than you for suggestion
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Old 09-22-2020, 08:42 AM   #9
Judson
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How do we remove the settings for compression? Where?
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Old 09-26-2020, 12:31 PM   #10
ErBird
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Judson View Post
How do we remove the settings for compression? Where?
Start menu -> search "sound settings"

Sound control panel (right side) -> Playback

Right click on device, properties, enhancements, disable all enhancements.
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