Intro to Compression [Video]

awesome! Thanks for your help.

Hi, useful video, but just wanted to point out that you aren’t describing the Compression Ratio properly (at 3:00 in the vid). You state that at, say a Compression Ratio of 3:1, for every decibel above the Threshold, the compressor turns down the level by 3dB. Well of course, the compressor still lets the output level rise above the Threshold, but only by 1/3dB in the 3:1 case (Hint: Follow the line on the ‘graph’!). So, 3:1 allows the output to rise by only 1dB for every 3dB of input level above threshold, 4:1 allows the output to rise by only 1dB for every 4dB of input level above threshold, and so on. Hope that helps. Keep up the good work.

Hy guys.

I read a great post on one forum that hellped me (a long time ago, so I don’t remember on which one) about compressing things, so here it is:
(sorry, my english spelling isn’t so great, it’s not my 1. language)

1. set both “attack” to minimum possible,
2. set “release” to minimum possible,
3. set “ratio” to maximum possible (20:1 or above),
4. set “treshold” to the point where compressor starts working.

- ATTACK -

Try to ignore the awfull “pumping” distorting effect, and start to adjust “attack” slowly and concentrate on the actuall attack of a sound.

(fast “release” lets us better hear the attack of a sound)

Are you noticing how “attack” affects the “size of a sound?

Let’s say you’re trying to compress a snare drum. As you’re setting the “attack” from the fastest possible to slower setting, one could say that a drummers bat is getting larger/thicker.
So, try to concentrate on it’s size/thickness and choose a spot where you like the sound.

(practissing this will enable you to amplify your awearness of the “attack” controll)

- RELEASE -

Try to think about the groove of a song. How the “release” time should be set depends on the song itself, so there’s no real rule to follow here.
Should you adjust the “release” time to be in the tempo of a song, let’s say, a quarter note, depends if that would make the “release” time musical.
What does that mean?
One should ask himself, if I’m compressing something in a fast song, should I set the “release” time faster than on a ballad song?
If it sounds musical, the answer would be obvious! (assuming that that’s the sound you’re looking for).
What ever the reason may be for setting the “release” time the way you’re setting it, try to see if that setting is supporting the groove of a song or is it just making something sound a certain way.
Does it fit?
Try setting the “release” time as slow as possible to a level when it’s supporting the groove of the music/song.
Ask yourself: “how slow can I set the “release” time, and still be able to keep some range of controll”?

Remember, there are no rules! Just guidelines!

- RATIO -

At this point, “ratio” is set to it’s max setting, so it will sound overcompressed!
Our next goal is to lower the “ratio” as much as possible but still retain the effect we created with the “attack” and “release” parameters.
So, think about the “ratio” as a telescop lenses – the higher the “ratio”, “smaller” the sound (though better controled)
Lower “ratio” (e.g. 2:1, with the same output voltage) seems like a bigger picture than the original, so, the smaller the “ratio”, “bigger” the sound, but with the risk of getting things out of control …
So the idea would be, bigger, but controled sound!
So, start lowering the “ratio” untill you reach a point where you can’t hear the effect that you created (thickness of a stick hitting the drum, groove that you created with the “release” time), you can rise the “ratio” a bit, all the time being focussed on the size of a sound!
As you rize the “ratio”, the sound becomes more “tight” (and smaller!), and as you lower the “ratio”, the sound becomes “softer” (and bigger)…

You could think like this, how “tight” as opposed to how “big” I want this to sound.

- TRESHOLD -

Last thing we need to adjust is the “treshold” setting.
It’s probbably a good thing to set the “treshold” so the compressor doesn’t compress all the time!
The “right” position (if there is such a thing) would be when dinamic movements don’t last all the time, but to stop in some moments, or we would get “flat” and “lifeless” sound.
Letting the dinamic movements (made by the compressor!!!) to stop in certain quieter moments, we’re letting that moment to achive a “bigger” 1:1 “presence”, preventing the sound to get “in the face” with unwanted noise!
Those small, quiet moments are small enough and shouldn’t be “squashed” with the compressor because of it’s high “ratio”.

!!!WARNING!!!

A lot of sound engeneerers neglect the fact that ratios are multiplicative, and not aditive!!!
That means, if you compress the mix in a ratio 10:1, and then a mastering engeneerer compresses it 10:1, effectively you’re not getting a compression of 20:1, but 100:1 !!!Ouch!!!

Ye be warned!!! That goes for all compressions!

If you’re compressing vocals while tracking 10:1, and later in mix 4:1, you haven’t achived 14:1 compression but 40:1!!!

So next time when you compress your mix, also keep in mind the limitter on the radio stations and it’s “ratio” and ask yourself:”how small a sound can I expect to hear when they play my song”?

Experimentation is the key, so, experiment and listen to details.

Hope this helps.

jus a quick one….could u please reveal how or where or which books u read all this excellent info?

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

I knew essentially none of that before. Thanks!