Help with compression on my vf-160

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superjoint45

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I'm new to this thread and I was wondering if I could get some advice.I just got this vf-160 off of ebay and am learning how to use the built-compressor on it. Any advice as far as settings or ratios. I'm kinda new when it comes to compression.
 
superjoint45 said:
I'm new to this thread and I was wondering if I could get some advice.I just got this vf-160 off of ebay and am learning how to use the built-compressor on it. Any advice as far as settings or ratios. I'm kinda new when it comes to compression.
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Don't use too much. 2:1 or 3:1. If you overdo it your music gets squashed to the point where there is no difference between the soft and loud passages. In other words, the dynamics are all gone.

Actually, if you can get away without using compression you're better off.

Modern radio hits are often heavily compressed, or have their levels all evened out so that you can hear the music over the background noise in a car. But try listening to Peter Gabriel's latest in a car. Half of it gets drowned out. BUT it's a beautifully recorded album.
 
If you can get hold of the book Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies by Jeff Strong, he has some suggested settings for different instrument/vocal applications. Keep in mind these are only suggestions based on his experience as an engineer/studio owner, but they do make a good starting point for experimenting and learning.
I don't know what the VF-160 is like, since I only own the VF-80, but I had to purchase an external compressor since compression is only available when mastering on the VF-80--so one can only use one compression setting. With external compression, I can vary the settings when tracking for each instrument/vocal part. In that case I simply don't use much compression at all when mastering.
Compression is one of those things best used sparingly if at all--unless one is going for some type of special sound like the Beatles use of compression on all their LP's during their "psychedelic period" from late 1965 - 1967.
 
Compression is a great effect for some situations but is usually most effective when used subtly. The best way to learn is to try different settings and listen for when your music gets squashed (not a good thing). 2:1 - 3:1 is a very good place to start on the vf160.
 
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