to compress or not to compress ?

tripaddict · Post by **tripaddict** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:54 pm

the master channel why/why not ?

answers please

adam_misst · Post by **adam_misst** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:01 pm

I personally don't, I prefer to compress individual parts that require it rather than the track as a whole...however I do use ad-limiter and a limiter on the overall track, this will boost the volume without making it distorted...

tripaddict · Post by **tripaddict** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:06 pm

i've been compressing my master + others since about 2005 i think ill try a limiter on the master b/c it only tops out on certain punchy combined stabs

this doesnt happen tho if i compress it

vivace · Post by **vivace** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:48 pm

Compression is just an effect. If you like the sound, do compress. If you
don't, then don't. There is no right or wrong, just keep in mind that
compression kills dynamics and ask yourself if you want that, or need that.

myst · Post by **myst** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:51 pm

I never compress the master, usually a tad on the drums - and a bit on the synth. VERY rarely on the bass just coz i dont like the way that sounds

therapist · Post by **therapist** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:12 pm

I always wonder about pairing the clean master and a copy that's compressed to buggery, might work like it does with some drums.

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:11 pm

sometimes. as always at the master level, depends on the song. If it sounds like it could use a little less definition or edge (or more edge), then sure. and the more 'commercial'-sounding i want something, the more i'll reach for a comp on the master.

rarely at more than 2:1 ratio and rarely taking off more than 2-3db overall.

you should compress on the master for character, tho, not to reign in something that's peaky or doesn't fit.

tripaddict · Post by **tripaddict** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:18 pm

its ok i sorted it now

and my gosh are the levels sounding sweet

you should all check out TbT plugins they're very sick indeed

*and free

** and im never ever going to compress my master ever again

r · Post by r » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:32 pm

a limiter IS a compressor with the attack on 0.0 and 1:inf ratio. treshhold is your dearest friend or dearest enemy.

manray · Post by **manray** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:35 pm

Most people that say don't compress the master are saying so on the assumption your music is heading for a mastering engineer....Because they will be compressing your music...

If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track, or export it clean and then work on it, doesn't matter it's the same thing.

I have saved a preset which I put pretty much onto every track I finish, it's not perfect but it does quite well in most situations.

tripaddict · Post by **tripaddict** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:49 pm

R wrote:a limiter IS a compressor with the attack on 0.0 and 1:inf ratio. treshhold is your dearest friend or dearest enemy.

im using a maximiser now not a compressor

tripaddict · Post by **tripaddict** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:50 pm

manray wrote: If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track.

might try both

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 5:43 pm

Use something really nice on the 2 buss.

And mix/build the track through it.

Fast enough to let the spikes through, slow enough to glue the thing together.

Never more than 2 or 3dB reduction with a low ratio. 2:1 is fine.

Compression is multiplicative, rather than additive. People forget this when stacking up compression on (often) already compressed samples.

youthful_implants · Post by **youthful_implants** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:54 am

manray wrote:Most people that say don't compress the master are saying so on the assumption your music is heading for a mastering engineer....Because they will be compressing your music...

If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track, or export it clean and then work on it, doesn't matter it's the same thing.

totally agree.

youthful_implants · Post by **youthful_implants** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:54 am

manray wrote:Most people that say don't compress the master are saying so on the assumption your music is heading for a mastering engineer....Because they will be compressing your music...

If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track, or export it clean and then work on it, doesn't matter it's the same thing.

totally agree.

youthful_implants · Post by **youthful_implants** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:54 am

manray wrote:Most people that say don't compress the master are saying so on the assumption your music is heading for a mastering engineer....Because they will be compressing your music...

If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track, or export it clean and then work on it, doesn't matter it's the same thing.

totally agree.

youthful_implants · Post by **youthful_implants** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:54 am

manray wrote:Most people that say don't compress the master are saying so on the assumption your music is heading for a mastering engineer....Because they will be compressing your music...

If it's not heading to a mastering engineer then yeah, compress your master when you've finished making the track, or export it clean and then work on it, doesn't matter it's the same thing.

totally agree.

apathesis · Post by **apathesis** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:42 am

If the tunes going to be mastered, then don't touch the master out.

If the tunes not going to be mastered, then you've got to give it some punch yourself.

IMO.

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to compress or not to compress ?

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