Gain reduction for tanh~?

mike fonte's icon
Max Patch
Copy patch and select New From Clipboard in Max.

I'd like to make a fader that turns up tanh~'s input, while simultaneously turning down it's output. Currently I am just scaling down the maximum output using the scale object. Problem is the it gets too loud in the middle part of the range. I think if I applied
a inverse gaussian curve to the output, that would work, but I don't understand how to do that yet. Any ideas?

mike fonte's icon

Still looking for an answer to this. I'm basically looking for a "smart fader" to turn up tanh~ (or overdrive~) and smoothly turn down the output gain at the same time.

roger.carruthers's icon
Max Patch
Copy patch and select New From Clipboard in Max.

Here you go.
Subjectively it may sound louder as you turn it up, but that's because you're adding more harmonics; the meter & 'scope never lie!
Cheers
Roger

roger.carruthers's icon

Ignore this - I hadn't woken up when I wrote it; I was either being facetious or talking bollocks!
But then here's a man who thinks Wales have a chance against Australia today...
Cheers
Roger

mike fonte's icon

How did Wales do? Thanks for the thoughts and the patch, I think you are right about tanh~ sounding subjectively louder without actually being turned up. This is a little trickier than I thought, especially if it's "subjective" volume I'm attenuating. Another issue is using an audio source that is not at unity gain (like a live guitar loop), it may need a different volume curve.

mike fonte's icon
Max Patch
Copy patch and select New From Clipboard in Max.

I just found this example in the Tools/Building Blocks of the Max audio effects.

AudioMatt's icon

Maybe look at loudness~ ?