release time drums compression theory ?!

[alexrookie]

hi andy and pals,

i have problems in picking the right release time for drums (overheads and snare), so i thought, maybe it is right to get it from the song tempo - all my songs are with click.i opened the tape delay in logic in one of my songs and i got the hypothetic release time for the compressor for different notes - does it work? i just used it on one song on the overheads in a very drastic setting and the cymbals seemed to groove right - please tell what you think of it?
thanks in advance!!

example: song tempo 120 bpm, release time:125,250,500 or 1000 ms - depends on what makes sense?!

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

another question for anyone out there--should you EQ before or after compressing the bass drum?

 

[Simon_Empyrios]

I always eq before compressing bass drum... I find this better...

 

[Impy]

I always EQ before compressing anything, if you want to take something away from a sound and you compress it before you EQ, the unwanted sound will get higher in volume which means you'll have to use "more" EQ. I find it better to EQ then compress on most things, but sometimes the opposite can be good too.
This makes perfect sense right?

 

[ThomasT]

I always EQ before compressing anything, if you want to take something away from a sound and you compress it before you EQ, the unwanted sound will get higher in volume which means you'll have to use "more" EQ. I find it better to EQ then compress on most things, but sometimes the opposite can be good too.
This makes perfect sense right?

It does. But sometimes I EQ before _and_ after compression. Because the compressor change the sound. Sometimes I EQ, Compress (to have an equal level) - EQ - Compress (to fatten the sound) and EQ again...and sometimes I do nothing...all extrema exists. There are no rules.

 

[Cooperman]

I've never read anything about setting release times by tempo before. Anyone care to explain?

With compression on drums the attack is probably more important to the sound as this controls the dynamics of the transients.

 

[2dark]

EQ before compression?
I don't know about that. If it works for you, do it.
Since I come from the analog world (mouse mixing is pure hell for me, but I get used to it .... in a couple of eons)
I'm used to the have the compressor in the insert of the desk. So the EQ
is behind the comp. And having the comp changing and adding different harmonics
to the signal I would rather EQ after the comp.
But hey, since I saw a NS-10 speaker being used as a mic for the kick, anything
goes .....

release and attack times:
On very percussive instruments like snare, toms I go for fast attack and short release time. I start always with the fastest attack and the shortest release
time. The I change the release time until I like it, then I adjust the attack.

On instruments with long attack and long release times, just like cymbals, I start
almost with same attack and release times like I use for vocals.

 

[TheShattered]

Alexrookie, why not adjust the attack/release until it sounds good? Close your eyes and get it to sound good. Furthermore...why are you compressing your overheads? Do they NEED to be compressed? Or are you doing it because someone once did it on an album you liked? I doubt they need to be compressed unless you have an extremely minimal miking strategy (i.e. kick, snare, OH).

2dark's method of setting attack and release on a comp is a good way to start.