Compression to group tracks in a mix

[daav]

I dunno if this is a yes or no answer, but i want to see if something i thought I picked up somewhere is true or not.

Is it possible (or normal practice) to put several tracks under the same compression in order to seperate them in the mix? For instance, compress everything but vocals somewhat, so the vocal (with a seperate compression, and color) will sit on top of the other tracks?

Would this defeat the purpose of using EQ (and good tracking) to back off some freq ranges from some tracks to make room for others (like backing off some of the low end from guitar to make room for the bass, etc)?


Thanks
Daav

 

[volltreffer]

It is not uncommon to compress groups. Often used for background voices a.s.o. ... Can tame a lot of the dynamics without giving the impression, as the single voices still have 'their' dynamics. A sum compression tends to let 'win' the loudest parts, thats why the dynamic feeling may be kept... What I try to avoid (but I'm no expert...) is to group compress wide spread signals, as they may loose a lot of their stereo image definition...

I simply don't get your question with the EQ --- if you compress stuff together you don't have to EQ it the same way...

Hope I could help

aXel

 

[daav]

It is not uncommon to compress groups. Often used for background voices a.s.o. ... Can tame a lot of the dynamics without giving the impression, as the single voices still have 'their' dynamics. A sum compression tends to let 'win' the loudest parts, thats why the dynamic feeling may be kept... What I try to avoid (but I'm no expert...) is to group compress wide spread signals, as they may loose a lot of their stereo image definition...

I simply don't get your question with the EQ --- if you compress stuff together you don't have to EQ it the same way...

Hope I could help

aXel

Thanks for the reply. I guess what i meant, was that if you were to (over) use a technique like this, will it be likely to mess up nuances that were done track by track first? Make it muddier?

i guess i am starting assuming that widespread compression like this might be a shortcut that will kill good detail and nuance, or to find that it is typical, or at least acceptable. Maybe someone out there has their own system to this, like "I group drums, bass, and rythm guitar and compress that with such-and-such a threshdold and ratio, and then take the vocals and compress them seperately, and then do the same to lead guitar so they stand out in the mix nicely."

Somewhere along the line i think I picked up that this kind of thing (perhaps not the details) was typical, but maybe a shortcut. Earlier today i was thinking about that and realized i had no idea where exactly i heard that or if it was even something specific i had heard, so thought i would see if it was somehting others did or not.

Thanks.

 

[metalhead28]

I dont think that compression is going to do anything to replace EQ. You will be basically making something emphasized simply by volume and loss of dynamics rather that making room for it in the audio spectrum. I find that carving out with EQ helps me to make a certain track "stand out" a little more, or individual compression on the particular track(s) that I want to stand out. I can say this much, although I am far from a pro - I don't compress anything bussed together if I want the individual instruments, etc., to be clearly defined and to take up their own space. I compress several drums individually, bass and guitars each individually and vocals individually. But yes, I would use different amounts and settings on each one. I don't compress everything the same. Now that I think about it, that may be mostly what you are asking, but at the same time. I don't think that it can replace EQ.

 

[Massive Master]

It's totally dependent on the mix, but I have a tendency to group close-mic'd drums together, the kick and the bass together, and the "lead" tracks (Vocals, lead guitars, solo horns, whatever might need to be particularly "up front") as groups with a compressor across the group.

Yes, it's VERY easy to get carried away.

It can also rock like friggin' Gibraltar if done judiciously.