Compression help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fiddlermatt
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Fiddlermatt

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I'm working on learning how to mix bluegrass, and I've run into a problem. The dynamic range on my guitar playing varies by about 4 db. Now, on stage or while jamming this is fine, but for recording it is not so good. Now, I know compression fixes this type of problem by reducing fluctuations in dynamic range. However, whenever I compress anything enough to settle it down it starts sounding funny to me. I ran into this same problem years ago when I cut a CD at a pro studio. I got my mixes back sounding horrible. I later learned the engineer compressed it heavily. So here's my problem: I need compression but I don't want it to color the sound. Is there anyway to compress something "transparently"? The only compressors I have are plugins: ReaComp, Toneboosters Comp, and the Classic Comp that comes with mixcraft. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I recommend you to try the TDR Feedback Compressor (Free). It can sound very transparent.
 
I would first try to edit the guitar track if the variations happen just on certain chords or certain parts of the song. Just turn up the volume of the quieter parts to better match the louder ones. (or turn down the loud parts, depending on which is easier)

If you do that first, the compressor doesn't have to work as hard and won't color the sound as much.

When you do use a compressor, try a low ratio with a medium attack and release time. The slower the attack, the less it will squash the transients. Set the threshold so that the quieter parts are just into the reduction by a db. This should smooth it out without getting to strange sounding.
 
Farview said:
I would first try to edit the guitar track if the variations happen just on certain chords or certain parts of the song. Just turn up the volume of the quieter parts to better match the louder ones. (or turn down the loud parts, depending on which is easier)

If you do that first, the compressor doesn't have to work as hard and won't color the sound as much.

When you do use a compressor, try a low ratio with a medium attack and release time. The slower the attack, the less it will squash the transients. Set the threshold so that the quieter parts are just into the reduction by a db. This should smooth it out without getting to strange sounding.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^
Volume Automation is your friend.
 
It is important to put the compression after the volume automation.
 
By volume automation you are referring to manually as you described earlier or some type of processing? Thanks for the advice.
 
A lot of Reaper users speak very highly of reacomp, transparent, & of the highest quality.
I have Reaper so it's included, I also have tonebooster comp,which I would say does colour the sound,but I like it!
trial & error I suppose is the way to go!
good luck :D
 
Fiddlermatt said:
By volume automation you are referring to manually as you described earlier or some type of processing? Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

Manual. Most daws allow to ride the fader or draw it on the waveform.
 
If you draw it on the wave form, you can put the compressor on the track. If you use fade automation, you have to send that track to a group buss and put the compressor on the buss.

Either way, manually level out the vocals first, then compress the leveled vocals.
 
Fiddlermatt said:
The dynamic range on my guitar playing varies by about 4 db.
Click to expand...

That's a tiny amount of variation. If I went by the numbers I would say you almost need an expander. But don't go by the numbers, use your ears.
 
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