Compression scares me :( - Got any resources?

[theone1_]

I've been producing for a while now , but have no idea about compression , and was wondering if anybody had any resources that they found has helped them . Things like compressing snare drums , percussion , etc .. Thanks !

[lowpass]

pick a source, add a compressor


bring the threshold way down low so it's reducing about 8 + db. Should be pretty noticeable, then alter different things:-

Attack
release
ratio (will need to adjust threshold to keep the same amount of reduction)
try different compression algorithms (in logic you can switch between fet, optical, vca etc)

Once you have something that you like then bring the threshold up till you get a sound that you like,

make sure to match the gain to the original when you A/B them otherwise it will be very hard for you to tell whether it sounds better, worse or the same

[theone1_]

cool , thanks , I'll give that a go !

do you suggest that method for all types of compression ? In some cases I want to compress two snares together to peak at -12dB . in others , I want to gel all my percussion together . And other times I want to compress a reverb tail of a snare (to make it part of the snare's sound).

if you know of any resources to view/download , then it would be greatly appreciated (eg. some stuff with an before/after comparison) . thanks !

[lowpass]

cool , thanks , I'll give that a go !

do you suggest that method for all types of compression ? In some cases I want to compress two snares together to peak at -12dB . in others , I want to gel all my percussion together . And other times I want to compress a reverb tail of a snare (to make it part of the snare's sound).

if you know of any resources to view/download , then it would be greatly appreciated (eg. some stuff with an before/after comparison) . thanks !

Fraid I don't know of any resources but I would suggest this is probably the best way to learn.

When you really make a compressor work you can hear how it sounds and then think about how it can be applied.

Just take a couple of hours to sit down with different sounds, a compressor and a quiet room. Listen to how the compressor interacts with the sounds, does it work? is it too obvious, does it start compressing too quickly, or maybe the compression stops too abruptly which sounds unnatural.

[Moxxiedubstep]

too much compression through a mix can make things sound terrible too.

all else fails you can learn about the Ultramixer by Waves vst and multiband compression. If youre attempting to get into the loudness wars.

mpv, i only compress the low end of the kick and the sub bass.

[Depone]

Are you asking about how compression works / how and when should i use it?

sorry lowpass but theres no point stating settings for a compressor because its all relevant to the audio at hand. No two things should be treated the same yada yada.

[theone1_]

I know what a compressor does , and how it works , and what each knob does .. but I just don't know how to apply it to each different situation . I was thinking if someone had any exercises where you could see/hear it in action in different scenarios , I would slowly be able to process different things accordingly .

also , algorithms scare me too , haha .. I wouldn't know the difference between each one ..

thanks guys !

[nitz]

I know what a compressor does , and how it works , and what each knob does .. but I just don't know how to apply it to each different situation . I was thinking if someone had any exercises where you could see/hear it in action in different scenarios , I would slowly be able to process different things accordingly .

also , algorithms scare me too , haha .. I wouldn't know the difference between each one ..

thanks guys !

Refer to this recent thread.

Its not a matter of how and when you use compression, its a matter of does the audio NEED compression.

This single post summed it up:

Are the levels on your bass part jumping all over the place?
is the attack on you snare sounding a bit flabby?:

I think he just summed it up too you in a sentence or so. Compression is a dynamical controller, (however, it can be used for many or things and techniques) in essences in a lazy way to control levels. E.G if you sub is not at a controlled level, i.e the level is tending to fluctuate alot, then compression should be applied to keep a controlled level, by reducing the dynamic range (the difference between the lowest level and the highest level)

Compression is not needed on everything, it's primary function is to control the level of something, where the dynamic range is large. Read the thread it should help.

[Wikum]

i'm not even sure if i know for certain the in depth specifics behind exactly how compressors work. but what i do know is that through experience of messing around for hours on hours with plugins, you kinda get sounds you want once you know how the plugin is going to react to you tweaking a specific parameter.

don't be scared....that's actually the trick. by being scared you will never learn.

[x571]

http://www.dubstepforum.com/compression ... 80059.html

I don't know if this will help any. But it certainly can't hurt.

[lowpass]

Are you asking about how compression works / how and when should i use it?

sorry lowpass but theres no point stating settings for a compressor because its all relevant to the audio at hand. No two things should be treated the same yada yada.

Hi,

You misread my post there.

I didn't post "magic settings" that could be used on anything for no reason. I stated that using these settings you can hear the compressor working (quite hard as well) once you know what it sounds like you can make changes to the settings to suit the audio you are applying it too. You are right though in that compression shouldn't be added for the sake of it, but for the purpose of learning how to use compression you have to be able to really hear it happening (to the point that it sounds unmusical)

P.S That does not mean use a compressor in a non-musical way in an actual mix, only for learning purposes

[collective]

i am from the school of thought, unless you are going for a deliberate effect, compression should be unnoticeable/transparent.

that is not to say pushing a nice tube compressor for a specific sound can be just what a piece of a tune asked for....

[silkpantsman]

didnt really understand compressors till i watched this vid ...seen it about 5 times at this stage and obviously its not a bible and look up other sources der are hundreds...sos did a great mag on compressors lately but this one just made it all click for me

[deadly_habit]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/a ... essors.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/a ... deeasy.htm

[amphibian]

would just like to add to this topic that this has been covered in MASSIVE detail in the dubstep production bible and his how I learnt what it was about, what it does.etc. I would also advise you to watch a stack of youtube vids on the subject. Depone also does a great tutorial on parallel (new york) compression which is an absolute must-see/hear.