Compressor Settings.....

[newatthis]

Maybe this question is one that cant be answered,,,but here goes anyway,,,,

Is there compressor setting that seem to work out best for certain instruments (as a standard) for recording? (ex: whats the Threshold, Attack, Release ect) you use with Vocals, Drums, Keys, etc.

Some of you more advanced engineers must have a "set and forget" type setting for these instruments that you can use most of the time>?>?

Also, do any of you just compress the Main Out instead of using inserts for individule channels?

I am playing with these compressors, but I am not sure what exactly I am doing yet,,,,or if it sounds right.

Thanks
The NewB

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You're right in that there are no hard and fast answers. There are lots of different drum sounds, ways of singing/types of voice etc. so there aren't any standard compressor settings.

This article will give you a better understanding of compression and includes some starting points for various sources but as the article writer is at pains to point out, these are only a starting point to get you in the ballpark (by no means 'set and forget' as you say).

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/apr96/compression.html

It's pretty rare that I would compress the main output instead of individual tracks. I will compress any individual track that needs it and then maybe compress the main out if it needs it. I suppose it wouldn't be unheard of to just compress the main out, as always just do what works and sounds good.

I'm still learning myself but you just have to keep playing around and experimenting.

 

[MadAudio]

BTW - posting the same topic/question in multiple threads - or "cross-posting" - is not exactly a welcome tactic here. Once is usually enough.