Mix is compressed automatically

[wavesinaroom]

Hi there! Renoise beginner here

I’m working on a track that has a few instruments that get compressed automatically when I play them. To put it clearer, let me give you an example:

My project has four tracks, when played together tracks one, two and three sound great but track four is heavily compressed. When track four is soloed it plays at the normal volume level. If tracks one, two and three play together in a section without track four I can hear that they track three is slightly compressed with it tries to reach a limit. I’ve never set any compressor and this is something Renoise does on its own. I’m using the demo version for the moment until I’ve got budget to switch from Windows to Linux.

Is there a settings/option I should look for to disable? Why does Renoise do that?

[Jek]

Not sure i’m understanding the problem entirely.

There is a setting under Song->Song Options called ‘Track Headroom’.
Perhaps adjusting this setting may help your situation.

[spinesois]

@wavesinaroom

Why does Renoise do that?

It doesn’t. There can be weird effects if you try to use the same instrument on multiple tracks at once, so it could be that. Look out for this warning icon if you’re using plugin instruments, or sample instruments with built-in FX chains:

If you’re not doing that, then it must be some kind of aural illusion. Try using an oscilloscope plugin and you should be able to see that the waveform is the same regardless of which pattern it’s in.

[wavesinaroom]

Thanks a lot @Jek! That was the answer I needed

[wavesinaroom]

I’m afraid this isn’t the answer in this case @spinesois, but thanks a lot for taking time to read and answer my question

[spinesois]

You’re welcome. I still think that’s odd, because track headroom is not a dynamic thing. It makes every track quieter by the same amount.

[broh]

@wavesinaroom

My project has four tracks, when played together tracks one, two and three sound great but track four is heavily compressed. When track four is soloed it plays at the normal volume level. If tracks one, two and three play together in a section without track four I can hear that they track three is slightly compressed with it tries to reach a limit. I’ve never set any compressor and this is something Renoise does on its own. I’m using the demo version for the moment until I’ve got budget to switch from Windows to Linux.

yep that’s weird, @wavesinaroom are you sure it’s not that you have Soft Clipping enabled on your Master device chain ? Highering up the headroom maybe stopped the soft clipping but could come back if you add more sounds