compression settings HELP........
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Posted on Feb 13, 2006 07:49 am
rivargj
Member Since: Jan 17, 2006
I'm having problems with my compression settings..Is there a simple across the board setting for the overall mix of a song???What levels for the attack, threshold and release..Any simple settings for me to try would greatly be appreciated...Thanks................
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Feb 13, 2006 08:21 am Most freeware vst's have presets built in. Little early for me right now, I'm heading out the door so I don't have time to hit you up with links. Why do you need them? Do you not understand what each setting controls? Check out the article here about dynamics and then Waves is a company that makes all sorts of programs has a very good tutorial explaining compression too. Then just apply what you learn to some trial and error. I'll try to post some more help today.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 13, 2006 11:07 am Quote:
there a simple across the board setting for the overall mix of a song???
Well, no. Compression settings are pretty particular to your specific situation. Especially when it comes to threshold and makeup gain. Those you'll have to figure out what's best for your situation.
But for attack and release times, there are some general conventions. But first, think of what these controls do. Ryan made a couple of good suggestions for reading material. Do some reading, gain an understanding of what the paramaters on a compressor do, then let us know any more specific questions that you may have.
You know, the whole "give a man a fish" versus "teaching a man to fish" thing...
Feb 13, 2006 05:45 pm also, using compression over your whole mix can lead to troubbles later...mainly by sucking the life outta the song by squeesing important transient information...basically you're telling a compressor to mix the song for you.....careful level settings and volume automation can easily replace a compressor on your mix buss and it will sound better. for the whole mix, i'd recommend a multiband compressor instead of a regular one.
cheers
wyd
SidMember
Since: Nov 15, 2005
Feb 13, 2006 07:57 pm Quote:
You know, the whole "give a man a fish" versus "teaching a man to fish" thing...
..or he'll use your yacht and make it smell like fish...
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 14, 2006 11:33 am Bwahahahahaha! I Tivo-ed that whole 2 hour extravaganza and it was awesome!
...You forgot to say "away"...
...well that's good, but you forgot to say "away" again...
Oh man that was a great series.
Feb 14, 2006 05:19 pm What is considered to be light compression? Slow attacks and a low threshold (ie -2db). And as for makeup gain, are you trying to raise level to where it was when it began, or more?
ps
i hate compression
Feb 14, 2006 05:31 pm light compression is considered to be 1 to 8 db's of volume reduction....this is determined by your threshold setting....the attack and release times should coinside with the music...meaning ya wanna use rythemic values (usually) so you can't hear the compressor working. and yes a high threshold of -2 would yeald 'light compression' cuz it wouldn't be on all the time, just occasionally.
Feb 14, 2006 05:49 pm What do you mean by not hearing it working? Having it breathe in time with the track correct?
Feb 14, 2006 05:58 pm yeah, but you shouldn't be able to hear the compressor kickin' in or out (attack and release)...the volume levels should sound consistant and even....if you can hear the compressor working, you need to adjust your settings (if attack and release are set right, then raise the threshold).
Feb 14, 2006 06:19 pm Alright, got that.
So say if i want the beater of a kick to come through and not be compressed the threshold should be set higher correct?
Therefore allowing more of the signal to come through
Then if the low was out off control i would lower the threshold?
