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been making tunes for over a year now using mostly ableton...never learned anything on compression yet...so i'm a newb on this one...hints/tricks/reading material/examples any help would be great...THANKS!

Read this ---> http://www.dubstepforum.com/compression ... 80059.html

Then read this ---> http://www.dubstepforum.com/this-thread ... 74832.html

Here's a good demonstration of how not to use it, at least.

use Ableton compression presets

polygonfiction wrote:Here's a good demonstration of how not to use it, at least.

That's brick wall limiting a final mixdown, not compression during mixing. (and a bad example of it at that!) Not having a go, just pointing it out....

gh02 wrote:use Ableton compression presets

Ouch! please dont!

^^ hmmm some-one who knows......


...actually, ignore my suggestion. I've read the posts Futures said, quite a few times, and it's still all a bit of a headfuck to me I just meant use the presets as a starting point and tweak around from there.

Littlefoot wrote:

gh02 wrote:use Ableton compression presets

Ouch! please dont!

been messin around with ableton's compression presets a little, seem to be working pretty well, but if you're sayin ouch, what would you recommend? whats shitty with the presets or what needs changed?

gh02 wrote:^^ hmmm some-one who knows......


...actually, ignore my suggestion. I've read the posts Futures said, quite a few times, and it's still all a bit of a headfuck to me I just meant use the presets as a starting point and tweak around from there.

In that case, you may find reading alternative sources of info on the topic useful? the more one reads, the more likely you'll digest the material or find an author who explains the topic in a way you grasp..!

There is loads of free info on the web about compression. The compression wiki entry is quite good actually. Another top quality source of info is the Rane reference library. Check the Dynamics, Compression and Limiting section here ---> http://www.rane.com/library.html

Any decent library or book store will hold a few music roduction books. I'd pop into your local book place and sit and read the compression section for a while.

Experimenting is key, so as mentioned, using presets is a good start. However, unless one understands the fundamentals, using a compressor can do more damage than good!

The concept is compression is fairly simple - that "compression in depth" explains it all, fairly simply.

I find the rest is just experimentation I use 2 compressors, a free one from solidstatelogic what gives a nice dirty saturation and is great for vocals(http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/LMC-1/index.asp) and another freeware which comes in a nice pack of a few compressors (http://www.x-buz.com/BuzCompFree_download.html)

I found the built in compressor on Fruity and Cubase a bit shallow, mainly due to UIs as well made me not use them but I am sure the Ableton one is good enough.

But I am not answering your question, learn about the ratio and knees then experimental with them with different thresholds and gains.. It should come clear in a few weeks and become natural.

Also, which aspect haven't you understood or struggling with,k and what exactly are you trying to achieve in terms of processesing?

Maybe we can share some specific compression tips?

I think the best wat to understand a compressor is to use something like GComp which offers a visual guide to what's happening to the audio on a drum loop. Download GComp here ---> http://www.gvst.co.uk/gcomp.htm

Pat

futures_untold wrote: I think the best wat to understand a compressor is to use something like GComp which offers a visual guide to what's happening to the audio on a drum loop. Download GComp here ---> http://www.gvst.co.uk/gcomp.htm

Pat

Smexoscope on the master is nice too

http://bram.smartelectronix.com/plugins.php?id=4

though, you'll need 2 if you want left & right, which I find annoying.

I really like the built-in ableton compressor (live version 7), relatively transparent so great as a workhorse... only rarely use others like roughrider or vintagewarmer for compressor with more character.

I'm just starting to feel really comfortable with compressors for the first time, and got there by reading everything I could (suggestions so far are a good starting point) and experimenting with settings on different compressors to hear the changes I was reading about. It took me aaages but as with anything in this game it's worth it.