A Better way to Use a Compressor
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- Опубликовано: 23 фев 2009
- A demonstration of an efficient and simple way to tune a dynamic compressor. The example is for a stereo audio mix but the principle applies to all sound sources.
Recorded at my home studio (www.gcmstudio.com) for the www.recordingwebsite.com forums. 
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He teaches more in five minutes than anyone else does in one hour - excellent training tool, thank you.
Thanks for the kind words!
Hell yea. Some people go on for hours talking about some esoteric point of view. This cat teaches hundreds of hours in a few minutes.
bleesal .... I have learnt a lot in short time. Thanks man 👨
I've watched hundreds of videos during my education marathon about mixing and it is safe to say that this is the best tutorial regarding compression that i've seen.
I really appreciate it!
This has aged BRILLIANTLY! Still the holy grail of compression vids...so simple..🔥🔥🔥
I have read countless articles about compression and was still kinda lost. Your video taught me more than all of the articles I've read in the past. Thanks
I'm the same. I've studied Sound Production for 3 years and I know the definition of Compression but how it works was were I got stuck. This video makes it a lot easier for me now. Only downfall is in a Live Situation I / you don't have time to take time sorting the compression but oh well...
GigsinGlasgow Yeah, you sort of have to already know how your compressors work under given situations with live venues. it's a "guess and check" scenario. Fortunately, I don't use much compression live. The last live sound job I did, I patched a compressor into exactly one channel; a poor backing vocalist with an otherwise great band.
+matt Curtis ++ to Matt for summing well my thoughts and ++ to +wado1942 for the video.
+wado1942 I've done the exact same thing! I often times set up a vocal buss compressor just to catch little stray peaks here and there too.
wado1942 -you didn't mention the brand you're demonsrating on.....and what do you think about the joe meek vc3?
Finally a great video on how to make your compressor work for you. Thank you.
Actually, I was thinking about doing one on EQ. Would you prefer me doing one based on a single instrument or an overall mix like this one?
As for gates, I really don't find them particularly useful so I probably won't do a video on that anytime soon. The only time they really work well is when they're really not needed.
I'm not trying to defame any particular school here. I studied audio technology both in India and Australia. I'm grateful for the knowledge bestowed upon me. What I'm trying to say is, schools teach you theory and provide you with state-of-the-art rooms, leaving you to your own devices to make guesses at the various parameters of the compressor till you find a good sound. Your technique has unfolded an absolute method to use compressors 'effectively'. For me its a discovery of a new paradigm.
This is possibly the best compression demo on the Internet. Technically correct, clearly understandable, and well demonstrated. No wonder you have more than a quarter million views. Thank you for this; I'll be forwarding the link to colleagues like crazy.
Thanks, I really appreciate that!
I agree. Great job brother, and thank you very much.
Cool. I really want to compress something now.
What a turn on!
That's pretty well the way to do it. So many people just dial in "recommended" settings and wonder why some stuff sounds good and other stuff doesn't.
Best compression tutorial I've ever seen. Thanks man🙂
Superb sir.at last someone that actually explains it fully.and not waffle on.thankyou.
No ratchet jawing.....
best video about compression on youtube
There's a lot of mixmen out there that don't like that this is a great post,from here you'll get better at using a compressor, and thats the size of it. If you don't like it your one of those mixmen
Holy shit this makes so much sense and for some reason I have never seen anyone dial in a compressor this way.
Right? I got it from Bob Katz the mastering engineer.
Yup, that IS a more intuitive way to use a compressor, especially if you're not too familiar yet. And it's also a MUCH more intuitive way to TEACH people about how compressors work. Two for one right here! Thanks!
very sincere tutorial for audio compression _ unlike others with so many introductions
The most useful, clear and no nonsense tutorial I have ever seen on the frequently obfuscated subject of compression. Thank you for the clarity.
best video on youtube for basic compression. The absolute golden gem is at the end: Subjective. There is no right and wrong in music production/engineering unless it sounds stupid. If it sounds good, it IS GOOD!. eg: One track mastered by two different engineers. Both engineers won't use the same settings and more than likely not even the same compressor but both masters sound good.. who's right and who's wrong? They're both RIGHT. Simple as that. As long as one knows how these tools work and what they're trying to achieve using them, you can't go wrong.
You got it! The same subjectivity applies to all facets of audio engineering. I just had a classical violinist tell me I need to mic the F-hole of her instrument. I said that's where you get the most sound but I want a natural sound, like a real human listening to a violin would hear, thus placed the mic farther back and more in front. I don't like having to "fix" sound; I'd rather capture what I want from the source, but I can understand where some situations would require somebody to close-mic the F-hole of a violin.
Thanks for the tutorial. I understand compression. But i don't fully understand how to apply it. This helps me get closer to understanding it.
Nathan
Tutorial makers on RUclips need to watch this to see how to make a useful tutorial! Straight to the point and clear! THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for the clarification. All the more reason to use one's ears and forget about "recommended settings" and presets.
Great video straight to the point and no pointless diversions or technical jargon. Thank you.
THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST TUTORIAL i have ever seen on how to SET UP a compressor... This makes so much sense....
Thanks a ton plus 3db
I completely agree!
Truly an in-depth understanding of compressors...sadly this technique is not taught in audio schools !!!
Both EQ and compression are tools that need very little processing but they can make all the difference in the world. I mean, I may use compression or EQ on maybe half the tacks in a multi-track project, and maybe only 2-4dB. Still, it's really nice to have those tools. I remember remixing a project from another studio and the original engineer was amazed. His recording was good, but just needed a little nudge with the tools I mentioned. He was pretty new to the world of compression though.
This tutorial on how to use compressor is the best so far, very practical and straightforward without many numbers, thanks
This is literally the best explanation and example of compression I've ever seen. Bravo! You made it super easy to understand and immediately put it to work. I feel like this helped me really hear what was going on
@blisster22 I'm glad to be of service. I was at at TV station recently where I found a DBX 166A in a trailer full of junk to be recycled. I quietly put it in my car and has been used for vocals an guitar with good results. It doesn't work well for bussed signals though, like several singers on one mic etc.
Thanks for actually *demonstrating* it! It's just nuts how many youtube videos are some guy yakking and twiddling knobs. Yeah, I know what the equipment *looks* like. Show me how it *works*!!
your explanation is excellent,especially the basic steps for adjusting those parameters,which helps me a lot.thanks!
best video i have seen on how to use a compressor...and what it does. thanks.
Excellent job. "The most important thing to do is listen." That is the hardest thing to teach people. They get so distracted by what the lights are doing that they forget about the sound.
"the most important thing to do is listen" very basic, but vastly useful advice to anyone doing audio engineering.
You're absolutely right. All that matters is the sound. When we were being taught the Gain Riding Faders concept, it was shown to us how compressors made gain riding easy and automatic. We were taught to look for peaks and bring them down with threshold and then adjust other parameters so that the lower portions would also be decently audible. That's how compression was defined. Bringing down the peaks, pushing up the low levels and then boosting the overall to match the original signal's levels
Great vid man! Yea, there's that tricky point where compression stops doing its job and becomes more of an "effect". Your ears are the best tool you have.
This is clear as water, smooth as butter...
Know matter what people may say on your teaching I learned something to day. I mix many big records on 2" real to reals. And back in the old days... you just know what setting to use from hanging around old heads that know thier stuff. But as time goes on you forget somethings. Again Thank's.
This is one of the best video and demonstrations on how to use a compressor. For a newbie like me it shows every step and gives clear understanding of each control.
dude i think you very much this video it has helped me greatly.
This is the best explanation of compression I've seen so far.
I did 35 Years of engineering and recording/ record producing, and I finally learned the fundamentals of compression, hats off.....
hold on..... you've been at this 35 years and only now you know how a compressor works? lol wut
This is the best tutorial on how to use a compressor I've ever seen. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this. Your logic behind setting the settings makes perfect sense.
WADO 1942
The way you show how to compress a sound makes each function
of the comp reveal its true nature. This is the best i've seen as it removes all
the subjection from the learning experience. All these other guys/pro just learned
it a different way, or picked up on there teachers vibe. Not all in class get that vibe,
but even a person that does't do music could miss this as every thing gets hit,
and it functions. Even if you remove all the markings from the ratio an threshold
you'd get it
This is one of the most revealing videos I've ever seen. Kudos for you man, great work.
Excellent concise tutorial with sage advice!
I'm not sure why you would want to "look" for peaks. Plenty albums were mastered on systems that didn't even have peak meters, forget a waveform view. All that matters is the sound.
Any way, don't feel too bad about not getting to use some expensive equipment to its fullest potential. There's plenty great compressors out there that cost a fraction of what those cost. Don't get me wrong, those a great units, but the people at home don't hear much difference between a $4,000 and a $500 one.
Since that's a mono unit, you can only record to one channel. You'll need to change a setting in your software to record the left input channel as a mono track. I suggest joining the forum at the recordingwebsite as I'm a moderator there. There's some good, knowledgible guys on that forum.
Excellent job, you are a natural teacher!
I appreciate your kind words!
Thanks man! Most helpful compression tutorial on RUclips.
I've been working in recording studio's for sometime now and I really must say, Thank you. I understand how to work a compresspr very well and know many tricks but this is a much better way. Keep up the good work.
short and at the point, well explained, that's what I call a pro
Great video. Old school knowledge imparted in a concise and succinct way.
Best compressor video so far.
tfw u find a compression video that makes sense and isnt an hour long
I'll give props to the recording workshop in Chillicothe Ohio. A band member was good friends with one of the instructors there. He engineered our band one weekend for just the cost of ADAT tape. This was 97' so he did use digital automation/software Protools I think. Typically the students record people free of charge for the experience, but he did it personally for us. Sounded great!
1day we went to this engineers house, he played.us a completely studio sounding recording of a 4 track & 1 sm57
Thank U Very Much Sir ...iv been lukin 4dis ...for three months now ...
Well I'm glad you found it!
Very well done! I have been using comp's for years and actually learned something here!
Thanks!
Rick:)
thanks a lot for this video tutorial. this definitely gives me the idea of how to use my first compressor for the first time.
Awesome vid dude, very helpful for people like me just starting out in the industry
He explained this excellently. He make the most important point at the end, listen. But its good to know how someone uses a compressor and describe that in terms of what he hears, or what he wants to hear.
Very informative and a great way to understand and listen to how and what compression does. Good job!
Thanks for this wado. I'm a beginner in studying audio production and this really further my understanding of a compressor.
Thank you for posting this! Very easy to follow.
nice to see and hear a hands on example
Thanks for this video, man! I've used compression for years and never really understood it....just kind of played with the knobs until it sounded good...but now I think I can play with the knobs and get a much better sound. Again, great video...and thanks!
CGG
Great demo! Thanks
I love that you are actually using hardware in the demo.
In my studio I have a RNC and a RNLA in a Funk login rack, just on top of my Orban EQ... :P
WOW Great video! Thanks for the knowledge. Been waiting for someone to just explain it in simple terms.
@timmytapeworm13 Correct. Below the threshold, there's presumably no change in gain. Once the input goes above the threshold, it will reduce the output gain by 1dB for every 2dB the input exceeds said threshold. So at 2:1, if the input level is +4dB, then the output will only be +2dB.
Very nicely explained, thanks!
@YourADrag The signal comes from the audio source, through the outboard gear and into the console where the signal is sent to both monitors and mix-down medium of choice.
Thanks for this informative video.
Just right, some quick info to get you going
was very usefull for me.
Thank you for a superb tutorial, It's great to see something like this rather than some ego start the show with "Hey Guys, what's up. Super Logic here and today I'm going to show you how cool I am"
At the mid-level mastering studios, most people use software hard limiters because they're cheaper. All digital devices have latency, much more latency than analogue. Latency is not the issue though. It's cheaper to use look-ahead in software than in hardware. That of course is referring to delay being built into the limiter so that it can detect the levels on the undelayed version but process the delayed version so it seems as if it can pull down the level before the level gets higher.
Amazing thank you! Learned so much!
Please, make more videos, this one was very interesting! I think there would be a lot of youngsters like me interested in sound engineering, but it would be a really good thing to have some advice from pros...
@YourADrag Each recorded track goes to its own channel on a mixer. The channels have insert jacks for plugging in processors. The processed sound comes back into the mixer where its combined with the other mixer channels and fed to multiple outputs. One set of outputs feeds a recording device while another set feeds the monitors so you can hear it. This example was already mixed to stereo so I simply patched the outputs of my sound card into a compressor and fed it back into the mixer.
@KJEboys
Well, the point of this video is that there's no "typical" settings. Just tune by ear using this technique as a guideline (which is also not set in stone). I for instance tend to use very fast attack times on vocals whereas another engineer I know tends to use longer settings. It just depends on who's running the equipment and what the music "wants".
Very useful info ... consice and easy to understand... great place to start
wow... my eyes just popped out of my head... VERY good tutorial. thank you for this one!
Very helpful explanations. Thankyou.
Thank You, that open a new world for me. Keep Making videos...
You know your stuff. Make a few more vids actually demonstrating differernt instruments/types of music/ tempos, and how to accomidate for it. Thanks for making this vid.
Multiband compressors are usually a crossover, which splits the audio into bands, followed by a downward compressor for each band.
Excellent tutorial.
i am digging your videos very informative but to the freakin point awesome
I always felt dumb checking bypass, as if i second guessed my settings. But I found it to be a smart thing cuz sometimes I did lay it on too thick, and just started over. It would be foolish to blindly trust the plug in. Thanks.
@Solarlite
Well, that was just for example. When I'm mixing, I usually compress instruments individually. In that mix, the bass and the clean guitar were compressed individually while the drums & distorted guitars were uncompressed. The overall mix compression is similar to what I'd do during the mastering stage to help give a little punch, though that's more compression than I'd normally use on a stereo mix.
Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this , it all makes sense now
wow. actually some information. not some bs like expert village...to the point. concise. done. awesome!
Great video, very informative!
For the most part, what you say is true. Unfortunately, the loudness war has even snuck into classical music, so sometimes there's manual level adjustments, limiting and or compression as well to bring up the levels. Though, if there's compression, it's usually parallel, for the purpose of bringing up lower level material rather than pushing down louder material.
really well explained!
Very useful tips, thank you!
Awesome video!
First, you gotta learn theory from their custom made notes. Then you gotta consult some 'handbooks' to understand its full operation followed by studio sessions where you're given a recorded drum track to start using compressors with. Once the studio supervisor feels that you've understood compression on drums, you're given an entire session of a local artist. So, when the students mix a session which sounds a couple of db louder with punchier drums they think that they've understood compressors
thanks....im new in the industry..hehe..I learn a lot...from philippines..
this is a good tutorial. thanks for sharing this.
Really nice compresor tutorial . Id like to add one small thing . Indeed you will use different settings for different types of music but not classical . Classical recordings use no compression as it would alter the dynamics of the already highly dynamic nuanced orchestra . Thats what pros do . You can still experiment if your just using a string part in a pop song or something . I personally really like the PSP Old timer plugin . Its sort of like a highly modded TLA-1000 . Also waves SSL .
Thanks for the info, very helpful.