#974307 - 06/01/00 12:31 AM
Ed...help me with compression!
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Anonymous
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Ed, I have a compression question...
I have a hard time "hearing" compression or the "effects" of it. When I use it I generally don't use it too much, very slightly. I however can't really hear it's effects. I can't listen to a Summit and an Avalon and tel the difference (although I thought the signal itself thru the Summit was warmer). Is there anything I can look for or train my ear someway? Any hints are MOST appreciated!
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#974308 - 06/01/00 04:29 PM
Re: Ed...help me with compression!
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tcb@canada.com
Senior Member
Registered: 05/31/00
Posts: 56
Loc: ,,CANADA
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I'm not a compressor guru.. but the two major things you can do with a compressor are
1 - normalize volume
2 - effect
A good compressor will do a decent job doing ether/or.. if your not hearing anything when you compress and your getting the results you want.. then your doing a good job.. what you should listen to is.. if the compressor is changing the overall sound or it's got some breathing / pumping action... then you have too much, not tuned like it should or simply a cheap compressor. A good compressor will deleiver what you need to do without changing your sound.. it's got to have a transiant or transparent feel to it.
Another good trick, compress you signal a just a little on recording an a little while your mixing.. you get a better result than adding allot of compression in one shot.
what is comes down to.. if your not hearing anything.. that's good!
that's my 2 cents!
- bungle
[This message has been edited by tcb@canada.com (edited 06-01-2000).]
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#974309 - 06/02/00 12:07 AM
Re: Ed...help me with compression!
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Pro Jules
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/11/00
Posts: 2729
Loc: A yank living in London, UK si...
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I have to say, it took me ages to hear/know what the most classic vocal compressor - Urei 1176 was up to, even with hands on I found it subtle.Fear not you are not alone! 
Jules
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#974310 - 06/02/00 02:11 AM
Re: Ed...help me with compression!
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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Thanks for the replies...much appreciated.
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#974311 - 06/02/00 10:28 AM
Re: Ed...help me with compression!
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c.cash
Senior Member
Registered: 03/17/00
Posts: 321
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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TB, this helped me to visualize what compression was doing... if you can look at the compressed signal on well-segmented LED meters... run something really dynamic thru it, like a soft/loud solo vocal. Set the compresser at some genric setting like 4:1 ratio, medium attack and release. Make sure some gain reduction is happening. If the signal is being compressed/reduced by 6dB for example, turn the comp's output up 6dB. Now watch the meters and switch between bypass and compressor-in. You should at least see less movement in the meters. The more you squash it, the less they move.
So while with a "soft-knee" compressor you might not hear any effect (transparent), you can see that it is actually doing the job.
I know this helps me.
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#974312 - 06/02/00 01:12 PM
Re: Ed...help me with compression!
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THE MIX FIX
Platinum Member
Registered: 03/01/00
Posts: 1552
Loc: NYC Area
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Well, if you can't hear the compressor working, you MUST be doing something right!!
Turn the threshold to as high as it will go (the largest -number, i.e. -40), turn the ratio as HIGH as it will go, i.e. 20 to 1 (or more), and if you have them ,turn the attack as FAST as it will go, and the Release as SLOW as it will go. Then turn the output up a bit, to compensate for the level of the signal you've just squashed to death!!
NOW you should hear what the compressor is doing. (Unless it's a Distressor, then it will just sound bigger.  )
Anyway, on any other brand, start to back off the settings I just mentioned, and you'll hear the compressor "loosen up".
Keep it up until you get what you're looking for.
------------------
Bob.
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