How to Compress a song

[Walter Tore]

Hello all: I am new to the recording end of music. I have been recording my band with a Sharp MD-7 recorder, and reactive technologies stereo spider mic. I have been adding a little reverb and normalizing them on Cool Edit 2000, and then burnign to cd or mp3. I have been told by several people I need to compress the sound because the volume is to low. When I open the dynamic processing progam there are many pre-set choices. Can someone help me with the process, ie: the sequence from beginning to end, for not only compressing, but when to add reverb, and normalize. I have posted the songs at this link. Thanks in advance Walter




http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/discography.php?aid=3118

 

[audioarts]

Walter,

I'm by no means an expert here but I think what you are referring to is a Maximizer type process by which the audio level is increased as it is simultaneously compressed/limited to prevent digital overdrive (very nasty sounding distortion).

Several manufacturers offer hardware and software plugins for this purpose including Waves L1 or L2 Ultramaximizer, a Direct X plugin which could be used with Cool Edit Pro. I believe you can download a free demo to try out for a limitied time.

The way you use this is to "plug" the L1 or L2 into your master (L/R) insert which will route the audio thru the Ultramaximizer. First you set the output limit faders on the plugin (I usually use -.1). Try out some of the presets as a starting point. Then you incrimentally increase the level of maximization by lowering the left fader controls on the plugin. Be careful not to over use the effect or your recordings will sound very harsh and loose dynamics. This is really a poor man's way of "mastering" music and you will get much better results if you take your finished mixes to a local "mastering" house. If you're willing to spend a few hundred bucks you will be astounded by the way these cats can drastically improve the sound of your material.

 

[sonicpaint]

Try a limiter, it may be best in your case.

Compression is not easy to explain in a few lines or sentences. I think if you need to raise the overall volume, I'd recommend using a limiter(which is compression with ratios above 10:1). In your case (being new to compression) using a limiter with a fast attack and release would give you the volume you want with out getting into compression and it's artifacts when applied incorrectly.

If you would like to learn more about compression and how to use it here is a link that I think you'll find very helpful.

http://homerecording.about.com/gi/d...waves.com/htmls/service/tips_tricks/Hutch.htm

 

[Walter Tore]

Thank you for all the help. I did figure out on my Cool Edit 2000, there is a compression icon labed dynamic processing. I found a preset one that is called vocal compressor(great). I used this one and it increased the waves to the maximum. I thought compression crushed it down. The bass seems louder on this mix. Can you tell me what is going on with this? Thanks Walter

 

[sonicpaint]

No problem, I'm glad to help when I can.

I'm glad you found your way to the compression and found a setting that worked for you. The only thing is that those setting are just starting points to give most people an idea of what can be used in certain situations.

In most cases what is good for vocals is not good for an over all mix. Ideal compression setting depends on how dynamic your song is and how much compression would be best for your song in order to get the final outcome that your looking for.I have an idea on how I could give some great setting with out even hearing the song but I need you to give me some numbers.

What I need you to do is to go into CoolEdit. In the Analyze menu there is "Statistics", click on that. Once you do that the program will analyze your song and give you some much needed answers in order to use compression wisely. Once it's done and you can see all the numbers look for "Maximum RMS Power" and Average RMS Power". Email me those numbers and name them correctly. I will return to you the proper compression setting for you song. Sound good?

I'll be waiting.
sonicpaint

 

[Walter Tore]

sonicpaint: Thanks!! Do you want the raw version right off the MD recording, or the mix I used? Walter

 

[sonicpaint]

The final mix will be fine.

You can send the results of the final mix.