Last week I posted the video Intro to EQ. This week we’re moving right along into the world of compression.
Compression can be a difficult concept to understand. I know because it took me a long time to get a handle on it. Hopefully this video will help clear some things up.
What thoughts to you have on compression? Leave a comment.
Very nice tutorial Joe! At about 7:30, the EQ and compression sort of sounds like the production style of Switchfoot…for some reason that popped out to me lol Very cool!
Ha! Yeah, I could hear that. Nice ears.
I knew essentially none of that before. Thanks!
Again Great Video!!! But what does KNEE do? I have been searching for almost a year now.
I’m not completely sure but i thought it smoothened up the curve of the line on the graph
Good stuff!!
Another great video Joe, thanks!
I have similar questions as the ones I asked on the Intro to EQ video.
1. Do you generally decide to apply compression to a track (be it vocal, guitar, bass) on a case-by-case basis? And how do you decide — would you solo each track and listen back, or listen to the mix and make a decision based on that? Or actually visually study the waveform?
2. And when do you apply compression to the master track? Would you apply compression to the master track even if you applied compression to one (or more) of the individual tracks?
3. Compression and drum kits: Would it ever make sense to compress an isolated sound in the kit, hi-hats for example, as opposed to applying compression to the entire kit?
Thanks again!
Adam
Hey Adam. I’ll see if I can give you some quick answers.
1. I don’t apply compression unless the track needs it. For example, I rarely compress acoustic guitar, because it doesn’t sound natural to me. And I’ll solo the track and listen to compression, but I don’t do it a whole lot. You need to make sure the compression sounds good IN THE MIX. Just because something sounds good solo’d doesn’t guarantee that it will sound good in the mix. Make all of your decisions in the context of a mix. And I wouldn’t make decisions based on the way the waveform looks, use your ears.
2. I do apply compression to the master track. It’s completely different from compressing individual tracks. For example, I’ll compress the vocals, but then I’ll compress the entire mix a little bit, too. They are two completely different things. Just try it out and you can see why sometimes compressing the mix can “glue” things together.
3. Drum kits: Same rule as #1, just compress what you think needs it. Experiment. I will typically compress kick, snare, and overheads.
Hopefully that helps.
Is it better to comp when laying down the track or when playing it back?Good video. thanks
Hi Troy. There are no hard and fast rules. I like to compress a little bit with an outboard (hardware) compressor while recording. I do most compression with plug-ins during mixdown.
Great job Joe. I am sharing your videos with my volunteer staff at the church I am at. Way to put it in simple terms! Like a Nathan Adam class…
First time visit. I’ve been behind the PT8 for about a year now. There is much to learn. I stumbled across your Intro to Compression Video and I’m grateful there is a video out there on compression. I’m a visual learner. I appreciate the video tremendously and very well put together, simple and to the point. Good work. I will be visiting all your website often or more than most as you too are a Protools user. Thanx again. Carl
another good video,i applied your eq teachings to my latest song(first time touching eq)and i can tell how the vocals actually sound clearer,i used the low pass filter and adjusted with my ear,,cant wait to try out the compression ideas,,,thatnks
Hi Joe!. I’ve just purchased a Tascam DP-02 8 track digital porta- studio. (package) came with MXL 990 mic and M-studio AV 40 monitors. I must say i’m new to recording at home so forgive me for my ingnorance or lack of knowledge! My first question would have to be: how in gods name (lol) do i run this machine with a pa system?. I have a pro crate series. Second question is the porta-studio came with 2 compressors and effects would you use external compressors to improve effects?
P.S I think what yr doing is great, and i for one appreciate what yr doing, ty
Hi Roy, I’m not really understanding what you’re asking. Why are you running this with a PA system?
This was a great video on compression. I’ve been working with my home studio for about four years now. Compression has always been one of those rather confusing items. But you broke it down VERY nicely! A lot of questions were answered in your video. Keep up the GREAT work!
I’m so glad! Thanks Mark.
jus a quick one….could u please reveal how or where or which books u read all this excellent info?
I mostly just learned it on my own and from others. What topics would you
like to see covered? I could maybe write an eBook or do a video series.
Also, I cover all of this in-depth in the HSC Production Club
http://www.homestudiocorner.com/production-club/
Hi Joe,
I’m an untrained Sound Engineer so self taught mainly in live environments however this lesson and the EQ was so useful. It just broke down the basics and clarified some of the parts I never really understood – the Ratio for example.
I’m currently training up some young guys on their sound knowledge and this is without a doubt a great starting point.
Good stuff, keep up the good work.
Thanks Sandy!!! Glad the video helped. Compression is awesome…especially when you understand it completely.