compressing bass...

[Nilbog]

Im tryin to get a really even bass sound, so I fugred rather than souping up my skills, I'd just compress the hell out of it....

Anyway, I'm using an RNC and it doesnt sound very good. It seems to only be with bass, but it has some weird noises, and doesnt sound right when it comes out the other side...
What am I doing wrong?

_Nilbog

[ametth]

try increasing the release time for starters...how does that sound?

[Shailat]

I'm not sure what you mean by weird but. if you are over compressing it then you are probably squashing it to death.

Start off with a 3:1 and compress as you go untill you get the even sound you want. But remember the higher you compress the more problems you might run into.

Start with a fast attack 0-5ms till .5 secs of release and move from there.
Set the Threshold for an average of 2-3dB of reduction with the louder notes at 4-6 dB. If you need more compression to make the notes sound more even,then
lower the Threshold. However, remember - this might start to result in a thinner sound.



Use the compressors gain to to bring the output maximum peak of the compressed and uncompressed signal are identical.But you CAN use the gain for more (or less) signal if needed. In general - the amount of output gain shound be equal to the gain reduction.Like this - if the reduction is 4dB on peaks then set the gain to +4dB.

Now - start to tweak the attack and release.
A fast attack will give you a level attack sound but will be less punchier and . Also to fast an attack and the sound will be dull.
If your going analog then let the attack be increased a bit more then with digital.
Release should be set fast enough so not to effect the next note. But to fast and you will cause some distortion amd make the compression to obvious. Try to increase slowly starting with a fast release.
Here is a trick - hand mute the string-play-check the speed of the gain reduction-should move to 0 at a speed that you can detect but not to slow to make it look "TO SLOW".

Last - if your sound is to small from the compression , EQ the low end a bit
around 100Hz before the compressor but!!! raise the trheshold as well

[Edited by Shailat on 10-28-2000 at 10:36]

[Nilbog]

Hell yeah!

[Shailat]

Is hell yeah good or bad?

[Recording Engineer]

http://www.fmraudio.com/faq.html

Question # 4

[dobro]

Shailat, my guess is that 'hell yeah' is good news, or enthusiasm, at least. Really useful post.

[Nilbog]

hell yeah