This is a great compression tutorial for beginners. I've never seen anyone print the output like this so you actually see a visual representation of what the compressor is doing. Great concept and execution, Eric Tarr!
Question!! So I see when the signal falls below the threshold in these examples the release stage is applied. Does this mean that the release is ONLY applied to the signal once it falls below the threshold? I always thought it was a time-based thing.. the attack is going to determine how quickly the compressor kicks in and the ratio begins to be applied, then the release (based on time, not signal level) begins to let go and bring the signal back up to its level before compression occurred. Its basically confusing me that there is an amplitude drop that is occurring AGAIN at the release stage. Why is this? I would imagine, as i understand compression now, the envelope shape to look as it does here in regards to attack time, but then the gain would rise back up, not dip again. Peak (uncompressed signal slipping by) - Dip (attack stage)- then either staying at that level or quickly/slowly rising back up (release stage) Is this only because you programmed a drop in amplitude of the sine wave that this level drop is occurring again? I dont know if I can accurately explain my question here but I hope you get it. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
+coldgettindumb After thinking about it I think I realize im just getting confused by the visual aspect of this. You just set it up to be able to show the two stages, but amplitude adjustment threw me off by me thinking "why is the level not returning to its state before compression!?!" Would you not be able to see the compressors release stage as clearly if you didnt program the level change? Or am I just way off now? Lol
+coldgettindumb It's just as you described in your first comment: The compressor will only start to release after the signal has dropped below the threshold, therefore if Eric hadn't written in the amplitude change the signal would have simply cut off without releasing to it's original volume.
Definitely the best compressor tutorial out there excellent visual representation. How were you able to create those sound tones? I would like to practice myself with the tones.
Excellent tutorial! I would like to add that viewers should really close their eyes and listen to the differences, because visual demonstrations like this can really skew the way our brain will perceive the changes. Maybe add some time markers in the description to make comparing these samples easier?
Have you thought of doing the same thing but with actual sounds like a kick and a snare and singing clip? Anyway, love this visual explanation. Thanks a lot for this.
laaarsas that's not a stupid question. The signal does not have any frequency (it does not oscillate between positive/negative values). It is just a constant gain (DC offset). It isn't a very good audio signal because there is not much to listen to, but it is good for visual demonstration.
Great vid, sure opens up new ways of looking at sound, I have one question tho, which results from my little knowledge about compression and applying it, but this vid shows it good. How come the signal of sec 1 to sec 2 is always gradually fading up in volume? The signal is lower in volume then sec 0 tot sec 1, and the compressor is lowering the volume of sec 1 to 2. Is that what the theshold does, since sec 1 to 2 is below that? Hope it's not a too nooby question :)
![Compressor Plugins - Part 2 [Analyzing Mixing Effects]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/evEPVGqPEck/mqdefault.jpg)
![Compressor Plugins — Part 2 [Analyzing Mixing Effects]](/img/tr.png)
This is a great compression tutorial for beginners. I've never seen anyone print the output like this so you actually see a visual representation of what the compressor is doing. Great concept and execution, Eric Tarr!
Dave Lopez thanks for your feedback. I am glad you liked it. Keep rocking out!
The "analyzing effects" series is definitely one of my favorites. Cheers on creating something great.
Awesome new video from Eric Tarr analyzing how different types of compressors react to a signal.
Heck yeah Tarr, this was the best example of compression I've seen. Rock and roll.
Thanks, Arnold!
I enjoyed just like you this is the best explanation ever.
This is the best Compression tutorial ever. You can exactly see which parameter does what. Great job.
Thank you For the demo Eric!
Interesting to see the varying amount of lag, or essential lack thereof within this selection of compressors.
Question!! So I see when the signal falls below the threshold in these examples the release stage is applied. Does this mean that the release is ONLY applied to the signal once it falls below the threshold? I always thought it was a time-based thing.. the attack is going to determine how quickly the compressor kicks in and the ratio begins to be applied, then the release (based on time, not signal level) begins to let go and bring the signal back up to its level before compression occurred. Its basically confusing me that there is an amplitude drop that is occurring AGAIN at the release stage. Why is this? I would imagine, as i understand compression now, the envelope shape to look as it does here in regards to attack time, but then the gain would rise back up, not dip again. Peak (uncompressed signal slipping by) - Dip (attack stage)- then either staying at that level or quickly/slowly rising back up (release stage) Is this only because you programmed a drop in amplitude of the sine wave that this level drop is occurring again? I dont know if I can accurately explain my question here but I hope you get it. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
+coldgettindumb After thinking about it I think I realize im just getting confused by the visual aspect of this. You just set it up to be able to show the two stages, but amplitude adjustment threw me off by me thinking "why is the level not returning to its state before compression!?!" Would you not be able to see the compressors release stage as clearly if you didnt program the level change? Or am I just way off now? Lol
+coldgettindumb It's just as you described in your first comment: The compressor will only start to release after the signal has dropped below the threshold, therefore if Eric hadn't written in the amplitude change the signal would have simply cut off without releasing to it's original volume.
Threshold is based on input, not output, at least in feed-forward mode.
Fantastic vid! So going to do this to all the compressors I have.
this was one of the most amazing videos ive seen on visualizing compression. awesome work
Thanks for watching!
This was so cool. I'm sure we are all nerds when it comes to audio, I really like these types of videos. keep it going :)
Thanks Jaser!
This is the best video on compression that I've ever seen. Thank you very much!
That Slate compressor shines on this tutorial! Nice.
Hey Luis, thanks for checking it out.
I swear this series is AMAZING!!!
Sounded to me like the last compressor (with the transformer option) was adding some kind of harmonic distortion.
Really great test and visualization! 🙂 Helpful, thank you, subbed!
so when it releases the compression, it still compresses that which is below the threshold to a small degree.
Definitely the best compressor tutorial out there excellent visual representation. How were you able to create those sound tones? I would like to practice myself with the tones.
Excellent tutorial! I would like to add that viewers should really close their eyes and listen to the differences, because visual demonstrations like this can really skew the way our brain will perceive the changes. Maybe add some time markers in the description to make comparing these samples easier?
Have you thought of doing the same thing but with actual sounds like a kick and a snare and singing clip? Anyway, love this visual explanation. Thanks a lot for this.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, I'm improving a lot my home recording & mixing thanks to this channel.
Wonderful video Eric, thanks for making it!
Selcuk Bor thanks for your feedback!
well done, Sir!
Great video! One stupid question though... Why is the first test file "half"? :P
laaarsas that's not a stupid question. The signal does not have any frequency (it does not oscillate between positive/negative values). It is just a constant gain (DC offset). It isn't a very good audio signal because there is not much to listen to, but it is good for visual demonstration.
Thanks, great video! Just, what do you think about a shortcut key for record? :)
Is there method to see which compressor is program dependant and which is not?
Why does it have the whiplash effect at the release?
Great vid, sure opens up new ways of looking at sound, I have one question tho, which results from my little knowledge about compression and applying it, but this vid shows it good. How come the signal of sec 1 to sec 2 is always gradually fading up in volume? The signal is lower in volume then sec 0 tot sec 1, and the compressor is lowering the volume of sec 1 to 2. Is that what the theshold does, since sec 1 to 2 is below that? Hope it's not a too nooby question :)
Great video. Would it be possible to get a copy of the test tones?
is your 1khz test signal available?
Amazing! :D