To compresss or not to compress
To compresss or not to compress
Random question I thought of while sitting at work.
So say you have a compressor on a snare, then you have that snare sent to a percussion buss with a compressor on it, and then you have a master channel compressor. Effectively you are compressing a sound 3 times? This can span over a lot of elements in the track that are really being compressed multiple times.
Thoughts on this?
So say you have a compressor on a snare, then you have that snare sent to a percussion buss with a compressor on it, and then you have a master channel compressor. Effectively you are compressing a sound 3 times? This can span over a lot of elements in the track that are really being compressed multiple times.
Thoughts on this?
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Re: To compresss or not to compress
Depends on how the compression is applied, it can not matter at all, or you can end up with a mix with no dynamics
Re: To compresss or not to compress
If you're compressing everything correctly I don't think it would be a problem. Just compress when you need to and make sure you're not compressing everything.
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Re: To compresss or not to compress
1. Channel Comp: Tighten snare, tame transients.
2. Buss Comp: Gel Percs together
3. Master Comp: Apply super glue to the mix
Simple-termed thought-process, but I’m thinking this is a recipe to squash the track completely in theory.
2. Buss Comp: Gel Percs together
3. Master Comp: Apply super glue to the mix
Simple-termed thought-process, but I’m thinking this is a recipe to squash the track completely in theory.
Re: To compresss or not to compress
Each compressor takes care of different tasks and you dont have to apply loads of gain reduction at every stage. It all comes down to how they are set up.
Re: To compresss or not to compress
The best approach is to not use a compressor unless you have a goal in mind. With electronic music also remember you have MIDI velocity to have basic level control if that is what is predominantly the goal. When learning how to use compression there is a bit of a chicken and egg situation between learning what the controls do and understanding what you wish to achieve. I could write an essay here but I already did that elsewhere. I really do think it worth the time to read it.
As a taster it may come as a surprise that the most important control is the make up gain. Why ? If you do not match up
pre compressed sound and post compressed sound (and switch the compressor in and out rapidly on the source) you will mainly be hearing gain change which the ear is VERY sensitive to and not dynamic change. So you won't be able to know through that gain change (initally of course reducion of volume) what you have actually done to the sound and if it better or worse.
http://www.resoundsound.com/effective-t ... mpression/
As far as multiple layers of compression, it is likely that each layer will effect that which has gone before to more or lesser degrees depending on where the thresholds sit and the Attack and Release controls.
As far as goals compression is commonly used for the following reasons.
Reduce dynamic range (between loud and quieter sounds)
Lazy mixing control (i.e instead of fader riding) to hold an element in place.
Shaping transients to try and improve perceived punch
Changing the tone of a sound (transient to body relationship)
Adjusting or enhancing the groove of drums/percussion.
Gently holding a mix together if that is what is deemed necessary.
The above article goes into some practical ways of learning it (and how to listen for the effects) and explains the basics with a few examples..
so you can become effective in its application.
As a taster it may come as a surprise that the most important control is the make up gain. Why ? If you do not match up
pre compressed sound and post compressed sound (and switch the compressor in and out rapidly on the source) you will mainly be hearing gain change which the ear is VERY sensitive to and not dynamic change. So you won't be able to know through that gain change (initally of course reducion of volume) what you have actually done to the sound and if it better or worse.
http://www.resoundsound.com/effective-t ... mpression/
As far as multiple layers of compression, it is likely that each layer will effect that which has gone before to more or lesser degrees depending on where the thresholds sit and the Attack and Release controls.
As far as goals compression is commonly used for the following reasons.
Reduce dynamic range (between loud and quieter sounds)
Lazy mixing control (i.e instead of fader riding) to hold an element in place.
Shaping transients to try and improve perceived punch
Changing the tone of a sound (transient to body relationship)
Adjusting or enhancing the groove of drums/percussion.
Gently holding a mix together if that is what is deemed necessary.
The above article goes into some practical ways of learning it (and how to listen for the effects) and explains the basics with a few examples..
so you can become effective in its application.
Last edited by Barry G on Tue Aug 28, 2018 7:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Barry Gardner - Mastering Engineer - masteringmastering.co.uk/ PMC IB1S (10 inch drivers to 25Hz), Manley Massive Passive, Vari Mu, Crane Song Solaris Quantum DAC, Mytek ADC, Summit DCL-200 Sontec clone - Ear selected plug in suite, precision acoustic environment.
Re: To compresss or not to compress
Adding to whats already been said but, it doesnt necessarily matter how many compressors you use, as long as you know how you are applying them.
Dont base your decisions on theory with production/mixing because there are multiple ways of doing something. Apply what you want to do and gauge the results that way. Then decide whether that decision was the right move or not by using your ears.
Dont base your decisions on theory with production/mixing because there are multiple ways of doing something. Apply what you want to do and gauge the results that way. Then decide whether that decision was the right move or not by using your ears.
Dont take life so seriously
Re: To compresss or not to compress
I would suggest learning the rules well before breaking them. Then you break them to good effect, not mistaken effect.
Barry Gardner - Mastering Engineer - masteringmastering.co.uk/ PMC IB1S (10 inch drivers to 25Hz), Manley Massive Passive, Vari Mu, Crane Song Solaris Quantum DAC, Mytek ADC, Summit DCL-200 Sontec clone - Ear selected plug in suite, precision acoustic environment.
Re: To compresss or not to compress
Where's the essay? I'd like to read it. Unless the link to the resound blog is the essay, which means you're resound and you can marry me. But he's not called Barry. So I don't think you are him, so you can't marry me. Unless you're trying to pull the wool over everyones eyes and you are him. Life is so hard sometimes...
Re: To compresss or not to compress
The resound article says it’s an interview with Barry G.Planar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:49 pmWhere's the essay? I'd like to read it. Unless the link to the resound blog is the essay, which means you're resound and you can marry me. But he's not called Barry. So I don't think you are him, so you can't marry me. Unless you're trying to pull the wool over everyones eyes and you are him. Life is so hard sometimes...
Re: To compresss or not to compress
Aha, I didn't get far enough through the article to notice that. Thanks, Barry G, I'll go through it properly later, but the marriage is off, my heart belongs to another .
Re: To compresss or not to compress
I learned how to compress thanks to the guide Steve provided here.
http://www.subsekt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8418
He doesnt say explicitly when and how to compress, but if u put all the pieces together you will find out, and realize it because it is said indirectly since he talks about the master or aux bus mostly, but you should give it a try, there is some unvaluable knowdelege thgere that a professor would rip ur wallet apart until he starts talking about those techniques.
Just don't fuck with the makeup gain unless it's 100% necessary.
http://www.subsekt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8418
He doesnt say explicitly when and how to compress, but if u put all the pieces together you will find out, and realize it because it is said indirectly since he talks about the master or aux bus mostly, but you should give it a try, there is some unvaluable knowdelege thgere that a professor would rip ur wallet apart until he starts talking about those techniques.
Just don't fuck with the makeup gain unless it's 100% necessary.
we speak of art with flaming passion
then do work void of compassion
and wonder why reality is bleeding fiction
then do work void of compassion
and wonder why reality is bleeding fiction
- Lost to the Void
- subsekt
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- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:31 pm
Re: To compresss or not to compress
We've had a gazillion compression discussions in this forum no?
At this stage only newbies to the forum should need a guide.
At this stage only newbies to the forum should need a guide.
Re: To compresss or not to compress
as the newbie that i am i say thanks for the recommendations here