2 bus compression question

[nwright]

When you guys run compression on the master bus for your mix, how much compression do you use?

I'm using Rcomp and I have a fast attack (.5 ms), around 150ms release and my threshold is only 4dB, 1.75:1 ratio and no makeup gain.

To me this is pretty light, is this what you guys would call "light compression"?

I like how it sounds, but wanted you peeps' input.

 

[poidaobi]

Basically taken from Black Neon Bob with that awesome thread he made.

 

[smy1]

I never understood the reason for using a fast attack on the 2bus. This will kill the initial transients and therefore make your mix sound "flatter" and less punchy.

I always like the attack slow on my 2bus compressor, so the compression only "brings up" the sound "behind" the transient. Bob's setting is not too fast with a 21ms attack, but 0,5ms would be too crushing for me.

Of course the question is always: what do you want to use the 2bus compressor for? I want to use it to "fill up" the sound a bit. And that can be achieved with a slow attack, 4:1 ratio and slow release/auto release (don't understand Bob's superfast release setting here either).

 

[greyskull]

i used 2:1 10 and auto on the waves ssl for a bit.... then i started mixing without it... much better without!

 

[sparkyness]

Generally same for me.....anywhere between 2:1 to 4:1 ratio, slowest attack possible, slow/auto release, etc.

I mix with the compressor on the whole time. Gain staging throughout building the mix is crucial and I never want more than a max of 4db of compression at the most intense section of the track and bypass it regularly to hear exactly what it's doing to the mix. I don't want my bus compressor working too hard or it'll squeeze any life out of mix real quick.

I may also take the compressor off the 2bus and create an additional stereo bus and re-route the drums, vox, etc through the compressed bus and leave the bass and guitars going through the uncompressed 2bus. I can't seem to get the sound of the Waves SSL on drums out of my head....I just dig it

 

[nwright]

I never understood the reason for using a fast attack on the 2bus. This will kill the initial transients and therefore make your mix sound "flatter" and less punchy.

I always like the attack slow on my 2bus compressor, so the compression only "brings up" the sound "behind" the transient. Bob's setting is not too fast with a 21ms attack, but 0,5ms would be too crushing for me.

Of course the question is always: what do you want to use the 2bus compressor for? I want to use it to "fill up" the sound a bit. And that can be achieved with a slow attack, 4:1 ratio and slow release/auto release (don't understand Bob's superfast release setting here either).

Seems like I read on here about the recommendation to use a fast attack, so I tried it. I like the results, but in comparing to settings similar to the one poid posted, it does smooth it out a bit. A slower attack seems to give it a more aggressive feel...Hmmm...

to answer your 2nd question, yes, I'm looking to fill up the sound a bit. The comp adds a touch of fatness that I like that I can't seem to get through other methods (EQ, etc.). I'll have to work with a slower release and see how it compares...Just in the quick test I did, I'll have to adjust the mix a bit to accomodate!

 

[C_F_H_13]

Regardless of what compressor I use (whether it be hardware or Plugin) I have 2 settings I find always seem to work.

1.
Ratio - 2:1
attack- 10ms
release- Auto Release or 300ms
threshold- set to AT MOST 3 db of reduction

2.
Ratio - 4:1
attack- 30ms
release- 150ms-300ms
threshold- set to AT MOST 3 db of reduction

I agree with trying to keep the initial transients. I also mix though it from the start.....

Plugins I like Impact or Mcdsp's CB3.