Compress individual tracks or Compress groups of tracks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter hubble
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Two similiar threads here but I think you can apply the 2 buss compressor too early. https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=241098 has my thoughts on this process.

Here is a great link to the discussion of parallel groupings for mixing. http://www.mbrauer.com/qna.asp#mbcomp

Plugin Multibands are weird animals. They can get away from you quick and destroy a mix for taking to a mastering house. If I really wanted to use a multiband, I would rather the masteringouse use a hardware box. Plugins like this can really smear the low end and cloud things.
 
hubble said:
The only point I'd like to make is that 15-20 years ago, mainstream sounds for guitars were completely different. And while I think it's all personal taste and not necessarily better, I'm looking for a more modern sound right now.
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I have no idea what a "mainstream" guitar sound is - I could name an artist in any sound and genre from metal to blues to jazz to country who'd be considered "mainstream" in one way or another :).

I just believe that there's very little that can be done with an MBC that can't be done - often better - without one. I don't want to get into yet another MBC war; MBCs have their place. But more often than not, if one finds oneself using an MBC heavily on the 2mix, that should be a red flag that they did something wrong in mixing.

G.
 
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I apologize for my long question:

Do you recommend compressing each individual track seperately or is it better to focus on adding compression to groups. For instance a group of drums or a master compression over the entire mix.

Here's what I'm getting at. Most of my Fruity Loops projects always sound amazing to me. They're always crystal clear and loud. I THINK that might be because I'm dealing with samples that I have already pre-compressed, equalized, and saved. So in the program, the master mix doesn't need to be re-processed in order to sound good. Compare this to my live band recordings in Cubase SX3 where I have to struggle to clear things up.

Can this concept be applied to live music as long as everything is isolated and multitracked? Should I just compress and eq EACH track and then freeze the track that way and not worry so much about the sub-group and/or mastering compression?



Thanks for any opinions.



And do you think this approach would help maintain a "transparent" and consistent sound where the mix doesn't sound squished?
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I think you should get in the habit of trusting what sounds best to you, regardless of what you need to do to get there.

The bottom line being that while it's important to understand the difference in those techniques and the why/how/when of its use, it's not as important as learning how to trust your ears and your sense of aesthetics.

It inspires thought, which then inspires experimentation.

On compression:

Compression that's over applied at any level will most definitely reap the after effects. Pumping, flat, relentless "in your face" fatigue...which completes the opposite of what you're trying to achieve.

The key there is to use moderation. Some compressors may do it better than others, but if you're looking for transparency, it's a matter of practice and training your ears.
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hubble said:
Thanks everyone. After taking some advice, here is the result of my first draft. (if anyone cares to listen to it on myspace with no vocals yet)


www.myspace.com/unrestrainedstudios

it's the first song on the top
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I dig the tones and style. :cool: Since the gig here is compression -dynamic wise, the presentation is smooth. Maybe too smooth.
My gut reaction is to hear more contrast when the band kicks in.
And, if you were to take that theme to the next logical step -hear a little bit of a fight to restrain that energy.
A little movement (pumping) in that area could actually add to that energy.
:D
 
Do you think I should do something as drastic as turn the master volume up or down during certain sections?

Also, maybe that "fight to restrain energy" would be best expressed with some good vocals.
 
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