Compression and limiting 101

[Altruist]

Okay as read thru threads on here about compressors and limiters and such..I think to myself, self you don't even know what it is your listening for. What the hell do you want from it, so why would you even consider buying one till you do know. Any helpful links would be appreciated. Its time to scour and learn. Thanks in advance

Geoff

[chessparov]

Check out the articles at www.sospubs.co.uk/search by entering
"compression" in the search field, that'll give you a good headstart.

Chris

[Gidge]

In Drivers Ed they teach you all kind of things about driving but the first time you get behind the wheel, most of that is out the window....you have to get the feel and timing down......


get you a compressor and play with it, but not a cheapie.....at LEAST a Behringer Autocom or if the $$$ allow a RNC....


do you need one?....you ever record a track that dynamically is a mess....its loud in some parts but buried in others.....a compressor would help that......

check out Shailat's and sonusmans articles on compression here.....

http://www.slackmaster2000.com/info.php

[Gidge]

and try these too

http://www.studiocovers.com/articles3.htm

[Lopp]

I personally use compressors to compensate for crappy vocalists who can't control their volume. Like Gidge said, loud in some places, quiet in others. One particular vocalist has serious problems with volume (me).

I also often use compression on bass and drums for punch.

[Altruist]

Alright thanks for the links.

Geoff

[mentil69]

what is the big deal about compression if you have automation and you are a good mixer, because then you can change the levels automatically throughout the song?

[eeldip]

you probably need it to some extent. riding faders is a great solution for part to part, line to line problems...

compression works for syllable to syllable.

and drums.. man. compression is great. you can add some snap to the snare, some boom to the bass.

anyway, we can talk about this all day. thing is: you need a compressor. some people can get along without one, but you should get one to determine if you are one of those people.

get the RNC.

[mentil69]

ya ill get around to buying the rnc one of these days, right now im in the process of buying the focusrite voicemaster.

[littledog]

Originally posted by mentil69
what is the big deal about compression if you have automation and you are a good mixer, because then you can change the levels automatically throughout the song?

Just one example: you can vary the attack time from, typically 2ms to 100 ms. I'd like to see anyone do 2ms fader moves who isn't named "The Flash".

[Son of Mixerman]

Originally posted by littledog
Just one example: you can vary the attack time from, typically 2ms to 100 ms. I'd like to see anyone do 2ms fader moves who isn't named "The Flash".

Ok, so my nickname was the Wizz, is that close enough?


SoMm

[jslator]

Originally posted by mentil69
what is the big deal about compression if you have automation and you are a good mixer, because then you can change the levels automatically throughout the song?

The actual aural effect of compression is much different than just riding levels. Compression changes the sound of the material. And every compressor does that in a different way. Used properly, a good compressor can add excitement, punch and general "wow" or "cool" to a track. Used improprly, even a good compressor can mess things up and kill the life of a track. But, in any event, there's much more to it than just levelling out the volume.