Bass and Kick Compression - How far down are you crushing?

[tipol]

Just curious to get some numbers from you guys. Myself, I've been experimenting w/ some rather obnoxious settings, -50 db and such w/ some medium to long release and .01 attack. I've been experimenting on some bass lines and what not, along side some 808 samples I've been smashing. Gather round' and discuss!

[RandoRando]

I've only been using compression lately in parallel, and basically compressing the shit out of the wet signal everytime. A threshold hold of like -30 d . The lower threshold the more audio is gonna be compressed correct?

[tipol]

I've only been using compression lately in parallel, and basically compressing the shit out of the wet signal everytime. A threshold hold of like -30 d . The lower threshold the more audio is gonna be compressed correct?

Hmm parallel, I'll have to get started on that. Been reading some good articles and techniques from producers using that method, and they liked what they've got so far. I've been reading a book "Mixing Audio" by Roey Izhaki, and its been some good info concerning the compression side.

And yes, the lower your threshold, the more audio is compressed that goes above that threshold.

[nowaysj]

good book ^ for anyone that is interested.

Why don't you share some of Mr. Izhaki's ideas on compression?

[MoonUnit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gupe7mn ... ded#at=302

Just had a watch
recommend taking a look here (dubspot compression tutorial)

Also this may be a stupid question, but do people compress their sub and why would you do that?

[jrisreal]

Recently learned that what I was using a compressor for on my drums isn't really compression but transient shaping. I used the attack setting to sharpen the start of the drums and make them hit harder and turned up the gain. Anybody else do too?

[ChadDub]

I really don't even know how to use a compressor, I don't see the point.

[skyh]

I don't really understand compression all that much but I think it has something to do with dynamics.

[Basic A]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gupe7mn ... ded#at=302

Just had a watch
recommend taking a look here (dubspot compression tutorial)

Also this may be a stupid question, but do people compress their sub and why would you do that?

Not usually, if you were going to use a compressor anywhere on your sub signal, Id assume it would be as a sidechain with your kicks/bassy percussives...

[bassinine]

threshold determines at what db the signal begins to be compressed. the ratio is how much the signal is compressed.

for parallel compression, try lowering the threshold a good bit (50-70% of the original signal) - and use a ratio of around 15:1. usually, 0db knee... but that's up to you. oh, slow attack 30-70ms, fast release, few hundred ms. that will get you crazy punch.

[GRAYSKALE]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gupe7mn ... ded#at=302

Just had a watch
recommend taking a look here (dubspot compression tutorial)

Also this may be a stupid question, but do people compress their sub and why would you do that?

Not usually, if you were going to use a compressor anywhere on your sub signal, Id assume it would be as a sidechain with your kicks/bassy percussives...

I always compress my sub to try and get the volume consistent (usually light compression though, like to keep some dynamics in the sub). I guess the old saying "If it sounds good" is probably apt when it comes to compression. Also depends what type of music you are producing, if you're doing more chill out stuff then, you probably wanna avoid too much heavy compression because it will kill the dynamics which are vital to the style of music. But if you're doing the really processed bro-step stuff then heavy commpression is pretty much essential to get that really phat squashed sound. Personally I tend to stick to light compression on the drums, (probably not dissimilar to jrisreal) , so it's just effecting the initial transient to give them a bit of punch.

[VirtualMark]

I really don't even know how to use a compressor, I don't see the point.

Its one of the most useful tools, you should learn it! It can help shape your drum hits, fatten them up, help gel your mix together, make it louder, help instruments stand out in the mix rather than getting lost, theres loads of applications for a compressor!

[tactilezero]

I really don't even know how to use a compressor, I don't see the point.

Its one of the most useful tools, you should learn it! It can help shape your drum hits, fatten them up, help gel your mix together, make it louder, help instruments stand out in the mix rather than getting lost, theres loads of applications for a compressor!

Of course their are other ways of doing all of this rather than compressing the hell out of everything.

[safeandsound]

I would experiment with a new setting.

Try the off setting, you never know might get to like it.

[VirtualMark]

I really don't even know how to use a compressor, I don't see the point.

Its one of the most useful tools, you should learn it! It can help shape your drum hits, fatten them up, help gel your mix together, make it louder, help instruments stand out in the mix rather than getting lost, theres loads of applications for a compressor!

Of course their are other ways of doing all of this rather than compressing the hell out of everything.

i didn't say to compress the hell out of everything! i said it can help in some areas.

[deadly_habit]

forget what part of this vid series it's in but covers compression like mad

[dameonxz]

I really don't even know how to use a compressor, I don't see the point.

Its one of the most useful tools, you should learn it! It can help shape your drum hits, fatten them up, help gel your mix together, make it louder, help instruments stand out in the mix rather than getting lost, theres loads of applications for a compressor!

Of course their are other ways of doing all of this rather than compressing the hell out of everything.

so you're recommending no use of compression.... hardly seems logical considering pros use it. Granted overusing it is bad but all the uses he listed compression is good for plus more

to the person who doesn't use any compression. Definitely learn to use it but dont overdo it. Parallel compression can really fill out sounds and drums and its def the easiest way to keep levels consistent. You need loud speakers to hear it working when its subtle but it can really make a difference. Happy producing.

edit: n you can make drums SMASH ( see sig )

[deadly_habit]

compression is def something you should learn for dynamic control and as said ny/parallel compression on drums
also sidechaining can be used as an effect subtly and extremely
ie:


what it isn't is a substitute for a good mixdown

[dameonxz]

^^^^ mmmm pass the k

[deadly_habit]

there are so many dynamic tools overlooked on this board
ffs my joke soundcloud expander tutorial got hits and helped people understand a bit more, compression, gates etc should be the same
understood so people can learn more
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