Compressor settings

Plougot

Hi sample modeling !

For a while, i've been wondering what should be a "correct" setting for the compressor in a "completely flat" mix. What I mean is, what should I use to have the original dynamic of the instrument ? Is "1" neutral, or is there already something going on.

Another great thing would be to know how to set the volumes of every instrument in order to have a balanced ensemble. Obvisouly, a fortissimo horn and a fortissimo trumpet doesn't have the same volume.

Do you Sample modeling have some charts to share, or any tips or clues on how to set things up in this way ? That would be marvelous to have this "flat" basis, and from there to be able to mix, knowing what you're doing compared to a "normal" setting.

Plougot

By searching on the internet, i found some dynamic range chart which gives an approximation, a practical dynamic range :



Violin : 35 db

Viola : 30 db

Cello : 30 db

Double Bass : 30 db



Flute: 20 db

Oboe: 30 db

Clarinet: 40 db

Bassoon: 30 db



Horn: 40 db

Trumpet: 30 db

Trombone: 35 db

Tuba: 30 db



Full Orchestra: 65 db



Of course, in a recording, it's necessary to apply some compression. But still, the balance between different instruments' dynamic range remains the same.



But there's still one piece of information missing. The "volume" or "sound power" of each instrument. For example, the bassoon quietest sound is about 10db above the quietest sound of a clarinet. Knowing that gives a way to logically set volumes, and even if it's not exact science, it's precise enough to build a credible ensemble sound in the end.



But for most instruments, I lack informations about their quietest and loudest sound compared to each others. So i was wondering if you guys at sample modeling had some charts, since you did all these recordings.