Overcompression
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Posted on Oct 25, 2006 11:32 pm
peterparker
The Beat Keeper
Member Since: Dec 16, 2004
What exactly is over compression? What should i listen for? Is it caused by low threshold and low ratio? Or do attack and release times fall into place as well?
Thank you.
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 26, 2006 11:33 am The term that I hear most applied to over-compression is "pumping". This comes from overzealous use of the controls on your compressor.
Too low of a threshold, combined with too high of a ratio will yield noticeable pumping. Try it and you'll see what I mean. It's that noticeable sudden reduction in volume right after the initial attack of a compressed signal. Then the return of the volume after the compressor releases.
Oct 26, 2006 05:33 pm Cool, thank you
Nov 28, 2006 11:52 am so what would appropriate use of a compressor be? for example i had this long bend and the beginning of a guitar solo, and there was practically no sustain. so naturally, i decided to compress the hell out of it to keep the volume steady. it sounds alright, but the whole time i was worried about overcompressing the track.
Nov 28, 2006 12:06 pm overcompression (hyper) is usually refered to a song as a whole and is done in mastering....songs with no volume dynamics...it's just one steady loudness through the whole song.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 28, 2006 11:05 pm Compression before the guitar hits the amp is best if your trying to drive more sustain. I used to use the MXR compreser/sustainer they called it. It was alittle white box. Turn it up and you would coudl get some great sustain. But the cost was a bit more grind/punch in the sound. Which was OK at most times.
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Nov 30, 2006 01:49 am Could overcompression be like when you set a limiter too sensitive. Sometimes when i just crank my limiter then the volume is really jumpy, as if every note played jumps right out, and then teh auto gaining in between turns it down to 0 volume. So its more like a tremelo than a consistent sound.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 30, 2006 12:28 pm Absolutely, Crux. Since a limiter is basically a compressor at heart, this is the same pumping (that tremolo effect) that you'd hear by using aggressive settings on a compressor.
Dec 01, 2006 03:19 pm ...as Tad says, I may add - which makes it very unplesant on the ear, very unatural and lifeless.
Over compression sucks the very life out your music...I guess the trick is to compress until you notice the pumping (unless thats the effect you want - indeed, Kjaerhaus do a plugin that simulates this!!) but aye, you'll know when its overcompressed, your ears will say its nasty!
All the best..compression can be tricky but given time, its very useful and achievable good results are forthcoming
Coco.
