compression techniques

[arthurwoo]

Hi All,

I'm currently playing around w/ compression but lack the knowledge of what to really listen for when I compress a track. Are there signs of if I need to lower/raise the ratio or threshold, attack or release times? Let me put it this way - technically I understand what compression does, but in terms of applying it to certain audio tracks I become a bit clueless. I realize part of it is the sound you're trying to capture, and i'm not looking for 'always set ratio to this and compression to this'. Just some general advice about how to know when to add or remove a setting on a compressor.

Thanks!

[jeanp]

the funny thing is .. there is no advice it all depends on the track u are working on ...
thats why u get a littlebit clueless i guess.. u can't say u need to put the threshold on - 3 dB then the ratio to an other difined point .. but there is a technique i read in bob katz mastering book, or elsewhere i want to share .. wheres the passage
here it was:
www.amazon.de/Mixing-Engineers-Handbook-Bobby-Owsinski/dp/1598632515

ok, put the threshold as deep as it needs to, to get the indication led workin'..
set up an 3:1 or 4:1 ratio and set the attack to the slowest attack and the release to the fastest recovery time.
now set the attacktime up till u hear the attack workin, just listen to the first transient of the snaredrum for example and play around with the attack till u get your attacksound like want it to. more poping out of the track or more digged into it ..
if u are happy with your attack sound set up the release-time, it totaly depends on your particular taste!!!
as longer the realease (recovery-time) is set as longer the audiolevel needs to recover ..

keep in mind, that all changes under 30ms are very fast for an release-time setting .. i would suggest times between 70ms and 150ms .. smoe peaople are using releasetimes till one second or though.

i saw stuff in the studio where the engineer set up 4 analogue compressors in line and set all settings totaly different!!!!

so, this might help u .. first of all i would to recommend u to lisen to different settings of the attack and release times .. first set release to 0ms and attack to 125ms and the threshold very low like - 30 dB and the ratio to 3:1 or 4:1 and then tread just the attack an listen to it .. what are the changes th the transients!!!!!!

make a lesson out of it and just alterate the attack knob ..
and maybe u should first listen to an lonly snaredrum or kick and figure out what is changing before treading a whole track by an compressor.


the very very best eartraining is the golden-ears cd collection ..
www.moultonlabs.com/full/product01

cheersmate

[jeanp]

here's an cool instruction for how to use an compressor:

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5381286599211691714