Compressing bass.

[Jubz]

Why and how please?

[docwra]

To tighten it up i think. Never have compressed any of my bass ever, takes the dynamics out of the bass if you over use it. Dont see the point because if you get very good at your eq'ing and layering then you should be able to get it tight enough. Well thats my theory anyway.

[forensix (mcr)]

as above you can make it louder (perceptively) but you lose the dinamics

[Jubz]

if you get very good at your eq'ing and layering

Would you expand a bit on this please...

[ramadanman]

i use as a template the "bass" preset in sony wavehammer, then i tweak the settings until its sounding nice

makes it a lot louder, punchier, clearer.

[measure d]

Basically you need to understand the concept of compression. By playing with the threshold you can make the quiet parts louder and the loud softer, it basically evens out your mix. With that said, if your bass has a constant amplitude you may not need compression at all. Compression can be very useful with vocals, especially when the singer varies the loudness of their voice. I hope that helps a little.

[scarecrow]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec00/a ... ession.htm

Food for thought..........

[luke.envoy]

dont compress bass

[joseph-j]

dont compress bass

Its doesn't need it. Or shouldn't need it anyway. Use it to make your drums snappy, but stay away from the bass. You'll lose all the subtleties in the sound.

[jera]

n there i was compressin my bass....

[sub version]

i like really filthy bass so i generally stick a bit of distortion on it which gives you some compression anyway. always use eq for the clean stuff though...

[elgato]

Say if you're just working on a sub tho (for which less definition is necessary), is compression not useful to give a stronger, more even response across the frequency range, therefore giving a more even result when using multi-note patterns? Are there disadvantages to using compression in this way?

[elgato]

And also, sometimes when ive applied more extreme compression settings to a more mid-range bass it can create some interesting effects on the way that the sound comes out...not always desirable but can sometimes be quite interesting i reckon

[ramadanman]

it's all about how it sounds tbh - if it sounds good with compression - leave the compression on!

[2000f]

Compressing bass is a difficult thing to master, and for that reason it might be easier to use a compressor or limiter with presets. I don´t understand why some suggest not to compress bass, but each to their own. Compression in general is a bit difficult to understand and master, however trial and error is the key in this case.

Depending on the bass you might want to try with:
a ratio of 3:1 to 12:1, depending on how "hard" you want the compressor to compress, when the threshold is reached.
A threshold value is really not possible to tell, as it depends on the overall level of your bass. But you might adjust the threshold so the compressor starts to gain reduct around 3-8 dB. Remember, this is just an idea.

Attack and release (and hold) is a bit more difficult, as this is the hardest thing to master. If possible, use auto on both, otherwise use a fast attack if you want the compressor to react quickly when the threshold is reached and vice verca. The same applies for release.

Sometimes a "soft knee" option is included, however I usually tend to stick to "hard knee". This is a bit technical, so if possible, get hold of a compressor with a good user interface and hopefully a "drawing" of your threshold curve. Via this you can tell the difference between hard and soft knee (look at the point of threshold).

I tend to compress quite heavily, depending on the type of bass needed. But if you just want to play around a bit, then go for gain reduction on the compressor at around 3-6 dB (or more, if you want to squash it).

Remember to use the make-up gain! (apply approximately the same dBs here as the compressor reducts)


Furthermore, I tend to use the following on my master stereo insert:
* EQ

* Compressor (4:1 ratio, around 10-30ms attack, around 0.3 seconds or auto release, and a gain reduction of approx. 2-5 dB, hard knee - preference is eg. SSL G Series, Waves plug, Digidesign Impact plug etc.)

* Limiter/maximizer (fast attack release, high ratio - Waves L2 og Digidesign Maxim)

[Jubz]

dont compress bass

Thats really what I wanted to hear, haha.

[clarkycatdealer]

whatevers good for the job at hand surely?


i think "dont compress bass" as a blanket rule is a bit ... off

you can always layer the original sound with compressed one and blend to yr liking.... depends on the compressor too , u telling me people using logic never compress any bass? i highly doubt it....

also isnt sticking aload of stuff in the master inserts a bit daft as it colors everything thrown at it?surely better to record all yr tracks and eq/compress each accordingly?

[8bitwonder]

i never compress bass unless im layer a high bass over a low bass to seperate them

[2000f]

also isnt sticking aload of stuff in the master inserts a bit daft as it colors everything thrown at it?surely better to record all yr tracks and eq/compress each accordingly?

Exactly the point, and this is actually done on alot of records. When suggesting this, I didn´t suggest not to forget about processing on the individual tracks. Of course you´ll need this. However, the reason for using master inserts is for making it all "come together". Google SSL G Series Stereo (or Quad) Compressor - this compressor is very often described as the "final glue" on a mix. The reason for using an EQ is also to colour the sound; some mixes tend to be too bright, lack low mid range etc. This is of course a typical mastering job, but a lot of engineers tend to do it too. And I do it all the time. Try it!

[clarkycatdealer]

i think i get what your sayin. - for example if i've got my track done - add those effects in the relevant inserts for the final mixdown? I think its always good to record your beats/loops whatever without processing too just incase you want to go back on any drastic effects or eq'ing too.

i still reckon theres alot to be said for getting the sounds to sit together nicely in the first place! still , interesting to know the more industry standard type way of doing it - but i dont have the bucks for some mad outboard or expensive SSL or sony oxford or whatever tonk vsts/aus thou so ..