Dialog Compression: Using the TDR Molotok Pt.3

^{[ Hear audio example in blue box ]}

Are you looking for a low-cost, high-quality compressor to even out the loud and quiet spots in your dialogue recordings?

Do you need that compressor to work while leaving your spoken words sounding untouched and perfectly clear?

And do you need that same compressor to be flexible enough to adapt to different types of recorded dialogue?

You're in luck! The compressor I'll show you how to use today fulfills all those needs (and it's absolutely FREE)!

Let's dive in to learn to use the TDR Molotok compressor for your dialogue recordings.

What It Does

The TDR Molotok compressor is another great option for leveling out your dialogue audio shortly after you've laid down the initial recording.

Remember from the first part in this series that leveling is essential for your spoken word audio because:

• it helps create clarity by squashing the loud parts and bringing up the soft parts so every word is clearly heard
  
  
• it helps improve consistency by smoothing out those unwanted volume fluctuations for a steady listening experience
  
  
• and it sculpts your dialogue in the right direction for mastering later in the process (leveled audio is easier to raise to appropriate loudness levels).

In the audio example at the top of this post, I'm using the TDR Molotok on my dialogue for a YouTube video to level it out.

Along with the leveling, the Molotok adds any subtle quality enhancements that the compressor may offer to the sound.

But, I've configured it to be quite transparent where you can't easily tell that it has affected the audio at all...

So let's have a listen to this little green monster of a compressor on my dialogue recording for video.

 ^{[ TDR's Molotok Compressing Dialogue ]}

Listen to the audio example (at top of page in blue box) to hear my dialogue BEFORE and AFTER using the compressor: 

• the audio examples are volume matched to each other for an accurate comparison (i.e. you won't be fooled by louder audio sounding better)
  
  
• you'll hear 16 seconds of dialogue BEFORE compression and 16 seconds of dialogue AFTER compression (this sequence will repeat 1 time)
  
  
• are there any differences you notice between the 2 examples?
  
  
• ***the differences will be subtle, so try to use your best headphones or speakers***
  
  

Truth be told, it's pretty difficult to hear much of a difference between the BEFORE and AFTER clips...

And this is despite the fact that the Molotok is doing a fair amount of leveling on the AFTER clips (somewhere between 1 and 3 dB of gain reduction throughout).

The only extremely subtle difference I hear is perhaps the slightest boost around the upper midrange area of my voice (plus an almost unnoticeable increase in background hiss). 

When you set this compressor in the way I show you below, you can get very neutral, transparent compression for your dialogue.

And that speaks to the usefulness of this compressor for spoken word audio since you can achieve very effective leveling compression that is almost imperceptible!

On the other hand, if you do want more color (i.e. sound quality enrichment from saturation), this compressor can do that too.

The harder you push the Molotok, that is the more you compress and the more gain reduction you see happening, the more color you'll get in your dialogue.

In some situations, that could provide more clarity and intelligibility in your spoken words.

But bear in mind that saturation builds up over the course of editing and mastering your dialogue and you run the risk of making your audio sound harsh.

Finally, speaking of the flexibility of this compressor, it also boasts lots of options if you need to do further tweaking to fit your dialogue beyond what I show you in this post.

Specifically it has:

• a dry mix control for blending the compressed audio with uncompressed audio
  
  
• a control for different "colors" of compression (different compression styles to choose from)
  
  
• AND every compressor setting is fully adjustable (like attack, release and ratio among others).

How to Use It

You might think this compressor looks intimidating compared to the MJUC JR. compressor in the last post, but I'll show you some simple steps to set it up for dialogue.

Many of the knobs and functions you see on the plug-in won't even need to be bothered with.

If you haven't already, download the TDR Molotok here.

1. Here's what the plug-in looks like when I pull it up in its default state (check that it looks the same when you open it):

 2. Turn off the sidechain highpass by clicking on the "SC HP" button:

 3. Next, turn the "Attack" dial to the left from 10 ms to 5.5 ms:

4. To the right of the "Attack" dial is a curious dial that provides different "flavors" of compression...

-- turn this to the right to the 12 o'clock position where it reads "0.5":

5. Play your audio through the Molotok compressor...

-- now turn the "Threshold" dial to the left until you start to see the needle hit generally in the range of 1 to 3 dB of gain reduction on the large red meter:

 6. Now you'll want to "make up" the gain of your dialogue that you lost by the gain reduction...

-- first, turn off the plug-in by selecting "Bypass" and listen carefully:

7. You may hear the volume increase a bit in "Bypass" since the compressor isn't working...

-- this would be your hint to increase the makeup gain above 0 dB...

-- alternatively, you may not hear much of a difference, but you'll still want to increase the makeup gain... 

-- but first, turn "Bypass" off and on several times listening carefully for differences.

8. Next, try to set the makeup gain so that you don't hear any difference when the compressor is "on" or "off"...

-- do this by turning the "Makeup" dial to the right...

-- now turn the plug-in "off" and "on" closing your eyes as you listen...

-- use only your ears to make sure the makeup gain is set correctly:

9. Now your compressor is volume matched and you can hear exactly what it's doing to the sound of your dialogue...

-- FINALLY, your dialogue recording is being leveled nicely while keeping the sound of your audio clear and untouched...

-- but do adjust the amount of compression to your taste and needs.

Summary

Because the TDR Molotok compressor can transparently level your spoken word recordings, is flexible and somehow is FREE, you should try it out today!

Remember, you can use it primarily to even out the loud and quiet spots in your podcast, voice-over for video or audiobook after you've recorded.

Finally, follow the steps above to quickly set up the compressor for clear and gentle leveling on your dialogue.

Have YOU used the TDR Molotok on a recent dialogue recording?

Is there another plug-in that worked well for you?

Would love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Cheers, Bryan
Your Dialogue Editing Mentor