Compression Tips

[Lykanthrope]

I don't know if this has been covered, but is there any either online references or books that i can read to get a better understanding of how compression works. I mean i know the general theory, but how to apply it and such.

Thx in advance.

RD

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Granted, I am a novice at this sort of thing, but I was definitely in your shoes about a year ago and the best answer I can give is to just use the damned thing over and over until your ears are trained enough.

It's funny because now, after that time, I can recognize aural subtleties that I would have never been able to before. And obviously, there are a lot of things that the more advanced people on this board can hear that the rest of us can't.

 

[alexrookie]

hearing and understanding compression took about 3 years for me - now i hope i'm into it and my way was to use a compressor over and over on tracks in songs on tracks in my freetime and by starting from zero more than once.my fault in the past was that i thought" that's it" - "nice compression" but then a week later it sounded like shit - and so i threw my settings over board and tried it again. now i start with the threshold,pulling it down to the hardest setting, ratio is at ca.4:1 and then playing with attack and release (attack is quite easy to hear but the releasetime!!!!) - but don't take this as a rule, maybe it is a good start for some tracks, maybe you have to go with higher ratio settings first - it all depends on the music and that makes it so difficult - i think compression is one of the hardest things in recording/mixing music and it really needs time to understand - so take your time and play!!!!!

bye alex

 

[Impy]

...now i start with the threshold,pulling it down to the hardest setting...

Uhm...

 

[Lykanthrope]

Also, for software, what compression programs is everyone using? So far the only thing i have access to is the compressor built into the cubase.

RD

 

[Impy]

Try to "find" one of the Waves bundles, they're good and have all sorts of plug-ins including a variety of compressors.

 

[Kenny Lee]

Plug-in compressors?
Here, try these man. Waves Renn Comp is good, but there's more out there.
IF you use Pro Tools/LE Bomb Factory LA2A-1176-Fairchild660-...McDsp Compressor Bank

Sonalksis CQ1 or SV-315
Metric Halos' Channel Strip
UAD-1 Project or Studio pack
TC works PowerCore
PSP's Vintage Warmer
Sony Dynamics
T-Racks
Reason has a few comps in it
...
Many of these are not cheap. But, hey...you want to sound good or what? You could always go to a decent studio and really pay $$$$. It's up to you, you buy one or a few of these and they're yours forever whenever.

 

[alexrookie]

...now i start with the threshold,pulling it down to the hardest setting...

lowest level, of course - i meant the hardest pumping setting - sorry for my weak english!
"waves" might be one of the best choices, i think!!