Chart Of General Compressor Settings

[glynb]

If you guys are using your ears, I don't think that's a bad thing...

What I was commenting on was if someone is simply applying a preset for say Bass Gtr and not even analyzing if the track needs compression, or understanding if the preset makes any sense for that particular context.

Absolutely. I DO listen to what I've recorded and decide if it needs some compression, if it's bass guitar then I look up the idiot setting for bass and apply it. Now I must explain that currently I am always using the same bass, the same 6 string, the same keyboard, etc, so once I have found a setting that seems to work for the instrument I see no point in fiddling with the knobs each time all over again.

Of course in a recording studio situation where there are a wide variety of clients and instruments etc then I appreciate its absolutely essential to think about what settings to use for each and every case.

At least the idiot sheet acts as a starting point, then you can tweak it from there.

The explanation above was very useful, I think I nearly understand it now.

 

[13th_Omen]

Only s true master could set the compressor to get a reading of:

8675309

 

[sonicpaint]

Those setting are non sense.

In my opinion Mixsit said it best. I agree with everything said in his post. Blue Bear Sound again has another great point, presets are not the way to go at all. When you learn how to use a compressor then and only then you can see that the settings in presets are nonsense and are based on hypotheticals. Thresholds are in most cases if not all cases set and determined by the signal that's being compressed. For moderate compression I'd recommend a threshold somewhere between the average to peak ratio.

Hope this helps,
sonicpaint

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

Only s true master could set the compressor to get a reading of:
8675309

 

[mixsit]

Only s true master could set the compressor to get a reading of:
8675309

Are the LA2A's or other optical types the ones that start with a softish knee (for a limiter), then go into a =lower= ratio as you pass the thresold by a certain amount?
(At least that's what my UltraFunk 'imulation' curve shows )
Wayne

 

[sonicpaint]

Absolutely. I DO listen to what I've recorded and decide if it needs some compression, if it's bass guitar then I look up the idiot setting for bass and apply it. Now I must explain that currently I am always using the same bass, the same 6 string, the same keyboard, etc, so once I have found a setting that seems to work for the instrument I see no point in fiddling with the knobs each time all over again.

Of course in a recording studio situation where there are a wide variety of clients and instruments etc then I appreciate its absolutely essential to think about what settings to use for each and every case.

At least the idiot sheet acts as a starting point, then you can tweak it from there.

The explanation above was very useful, I think I nearly understand it now.

I think presets can work for any given situation if they have worked for you in the past. Though your circumstances are always the same the threshold of where the compressor should be set is most likely not. I would suggest checking the threshold that is being used even though the other setting are the same, such as ratio, attack and release, though I would feel a little uncomfortable using the same settings all the time.

In the end though anything goes in the world of recording music and what one person wouldn't use another will and have good if not great results. So I guess the best way to go about it is to try different things and see what works for you.

I guess this post is not really advise, as my 2 cents on the subject. What ever works for someone is what they will use and everyone else's thoughts of how things should be done is really not that important.

All the best to ya,
sonicpaint