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Bassick12
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Joined: 12/03/2015 - 04:12
Compression help

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So I've been trying to get this whole compression thing down. What am I doing wrong

FISH
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Joined: 12/18/2013 - 20:47
Rub caustic 3 times with a

Rub caustic 3 times with a beat and Jason should be able to help, as I struggle once in a while with this very thing and he is the wise and magnificent yogurt. All though he probably wouldsay not to make fuss about it as he is just plain yogurt, I mean Jason.

Bassick12
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Joined: 12/03/2015 - 04:12
If I rub anything3 times

If I rub anything 3 times with a beat something sure is too come out

Jason
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Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
Who callled me a yogurt?

Who callled me a yogurt?

Bassick12
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Joined: 12/03/2015 - 04:12
I thought it was slang for

I thought it was slang for genie

FISH
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Joined: 12/18/2013 - 20:47
Spaceball reference... (sorry

Spaceball reference... (sorry)

Bassick12
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Joined: 12/03/2015 - 04:12
Lol I get it now

Lol I get it now

Bassick12
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Joined: 12/03/2015 - 04:12
I still need help

I still need help

Jason
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Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
I need to make a video about

I need to make a video about Comp/Limit.

Actually I may do a video running through each DSP module, explaining and demonstrating how each module works and how to use and proper placement in your DSP chain -- if you want to "follow the rules" of good audio handling of a music project. I love doing stuff like this, for decades now, and Rej's app really gets you close to pro-audio quality, and this powerful tool will cost you a cup of coffee (WaveLab and other desktop programs will cost alot more)

I intend to have a very active YouTube presence this Spring, I think will really help alot of you out, as all of these new apps start surfacing....

Jason
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Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
Ok, Bassick12, I just looked

Ok, Bassick12, I just looked at your file, and will kick it back to you when I get back home (I'm out on the road this morning)

I made some corrections, and rebalanced your session here.

I'll give you more details soon, after you recieve it back.

Jason
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Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
Here you go  (attached file)

Here you go  (attached file)

The UI for the compression module is quite limited, as there are no real visuals to settings.

For quick reference, the Threshold Knob sets the ceiling that we will start to compress or limit the volume of the sound fed into it.   The Ratio sets our Knee, of how much we want to squash our sound.   The Attack is how much of the initial signal we want to go through before the compressor starts to lower or squash the volume of the sound fed into it.   The Release is how much time we want that volume lowered before we let it come back up.

 

The tasteful use of these settings can do many things to your signal.   From normalization of that channel for less dynamic range, to give better control of an instrument, and especially vocals for untrained singers with poor mic handling, to adding "punch" to a channel, such as drums or groovy e-bass line.   For true stereo drum channels, using this can bring out the stereo tail of the drum room, by setting your release to a certain setting, to bring it up in the mix, giving a more lively performance for that channel.

 

To get a better understanding of how it works, try this:

Set the Threshold setting as low as it can go.

Turn the Attack all the way down until it sounds really bad, and then slowly sweep it up and listen to how the hits change in character.

Next turn the attack almost all the way back down, and now slowly sweep the Release knob and listen to how the sound changes.

Once you learn this, you can now learn how to shape your channel's sound, or overall mix into a Compressor.

Using a Compressor in the Master Section can be a very handy tool to clean up your mix and add a good sense of rhythm, but not so much to where it "pumps"

One thing to consider, is to feed a clean solid mix into the Master Section, without a bass-heavy presence, as this can have  a really bad affect on the Compressor and how you want it to work.   I usually roll off the Low EQ in all mixer channels by -2db, then set up my Master Comp's settings, and then compensate my Low EQ in the Master EQ section (post Comp) and you will then find your mix sounds much cleaner, punchier, and more pleasing to the ear.

The Master Limiter should largely be left alone, unless you still have sudden spikes in your master signal feeding it.   Setting your Threshold to capture just those peeks (this may take a while to find that sweep spot) and set your Attack Knob to approx 8:00 and your Release Knob to approx 8:00 position, should set up your last line of defense for clipping control.   

Now you can adjust your Master Fader to taste, so your VU's are hitting just shy of "red"  (if you export to 24 or 32 bit, a little bit of "red" here is ok -- Rej allowed for some extra headroom for those bit depths in the rendered WAV for DAW work later, if desired) so your rendered track won't clip and sound unnatural.

Hope this helps.   I'll add this to my YT Video to-do list, so you can see and hear it all at the same time, may make more sense, than just reading this here. cool

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FISH
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Joined: 12/18/2013 - 20:47
Good info Dr J.... Can I pre

Good info Dr J.... Can I pre-order tickets for the viewing?

JHSound
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Joined: 06/04/2015 - 11:21
Thanks, Jason, for that

Thanks, Jason, for that explanation.  I think you've shared those suggested steps before and I have followed them.  It would be nice to see a visual representation of what is happening as we adjust the compressor settings because sometimes, I just don't hear the difference unless you get to "stupid" settings and it's awful.  It could be that, depending on the sound in the track and your mix, compression has a less obvious effect to the ear?  It also could be that I do not have a very good monitoring setup.

 

Jason
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Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
A single band compressor is

A single band compressor is simply a signal level shaping tool.....   I'm working on some filming today, and we'll see how much I get accomplished and how soon this stuff will pop up on YT.... I've been sick for the past week, and now pulling out of it, so getting into "catch up" mode...