In this article I’d like to clarify matters by identifying a series of distinct drum-mixing tasks for which engineers commonly use compressors. I’ll explain in each case what compression settings you might choose for best results, whether the drums you’re working with are one-shot samples,...
Why it works: A compressor lets you make your instruments sound more lively. This will give the impression that they were played with more intensity. You’re not looking for a perfectly clean sound here–think rock drums. You’re after a punchier sound. Compressing the room mic gives you a...
Compression is a key part ofaudio mixing and mastering,as it helps sounds blend and appear ‘natural’, as if they were recorded in the same room at similar levels. If your drums are super loud and you can’t hear the guitars, you’d require a balance of downward compression on the dr...
Generally, this method is used mainly for vocals and for drums. So I want to mention both of those separately for those looking for it, which most of you likely are. Parallel Compression for Vocals For vocals, I completely recommend the starter settings above, especially with the fast attack...
Regardless of whether we've recorded gentle vocals on a RØDE microphone, or pounding, loud drums, there will always be a natural range in volume, from the softest recorded sound to the loudest. This is known as the dynamic range.
Depending on the model of compressor you are using, one channel (usually channel 1) will become the master controller for both (all) channels, but you may also have to set some of the controls on the other channels to identical settings — typically the gain make‑up, threshold and ratio...
So, this can be very useful for certain styles of compression. For drums, bass, vocals… You can experiment with how the release plays an important role in how it’s going to sound. What I’d like to do in the next part of my video is move on from specifically looking at the relea...
Ratios show how loud the signal must be in decibels in order to allow 1 decibel to pass through the compressor. For example, a 1:1 ratio means that for every one decibel that goes into the compressor, one comes out. 2:1 means for every 2 decibels over the threshold (the point you ...
Faster FET and VCA compressors tend to work well on louder sources, such as drums and percussion. Experiment to learn your limits: Try using dramatic compression as an effect. For example, it can sound really interesting to use a compressor to “squish” a clean guitar track, or clamp ...
approximate compression settings to dial in which is a head start, because a multiband compressor combined these two sets of controls into one interface. Here’s a brief recap if you’re unfamiliar: Bands These are like broader EQ curves that allow you to process a wide or narrow range of ...