How to know when ratio is too high or low?

[Raydio]

Ive been experimenting more with compressors lately. I would like to ask how do you guys know when your compression ratio is too high or too low? I usually set my ratio to 3.1 for everything because Im not sure how to know if that 3.1 is too much, too little, or just right. Sorry for being retard in this category

 

[MadAudio]

Don't be too hard on yourself. Compression can be tricky, and can take quite a bit of experimenting to get right. But basically if you can hear the compression you're probably using too much. 3:1 is light compression, but there are more factors than the ratio, such as threshhold, attack and decay. And 12:1 and above is called "limiting."

 

[mixsit]

Even if it might seem a bit tough to get a handle on at first, I have found that it helps to think in terms of the signal's envelope -time vs. amplitude, then how much transient you want to let through (attack time), and how much (long) to hold it back (release or course ). Both have very recognizable traits that you can tune in on with some experimentation.
IMHO attack in particular, and release, often have more effect or offer more variety in options than (reasonable) ratio changes.

Wayne

 

[masteringhouse]

Even if it might seem a bit tough to get a handle on at first, I have found that it helps to think in terms of the signal's envelope -time vs. amplitude, then how much transient you want to let through (attack time), and how much (long) to hold it back (release or course ). Both have very recognizable traits that you can tune in on with some experimentation.
IMHO attack in particular, and release, often have more effect or offer more variety in options than (reasonable) ratio changes.

Wayne

Good advice from mixsit.

Think in terms of how much of the dynamic range you want to remove. For something like quicker transients that peak (e.g. snare and kick) you may want to go with a higher ratio with a quicker attack and release. For bringing up RMS levels of an entire song (or to "fatten-up" a track) go with a smaller ratio, longer attack/release.

In general I think that if you feel you are digging too far into a track and not getting the level where you want it to peak, raise the ratio. If something sounds smashed, lifeless, or distorted, reduce the ratio. When using lower ratios set the threshold to a point where it's following the envelope of the music, for higher ratios at the points where you only want to reduce transient material.

 

[fakeness]

but, compress for mastering?

I heard for a fast rhythmic song, a faster attack/relased will sounds better
and for slow love song, slow att/relased?

does attack always goes up with relased while master?
beacause there is once i try opposite, ends up quite "SCARY"....
the volume bounds back and hits ur face so hard : O....i almost got heart attack!!!!

 

[mixsit]

I heard for a fast rhythmic song, a faster attack/relased will sounds better
and for slow love song, slow att/relased?

That would probably be one of those aspects you might use as you decide what it is you're trying to get done with the compression. The way my head works I might tend to think in terms of 'tempo settings' in situations where I might also expect to actually use or hear the pumping effect a compressor might have.

Wayne

 

[mixsit]

In general I think that if you feel you are digging too far into a track and not getting the level where you want it to peak, raise the ratio.

Tom, could you expand on this? I feel like you're offering insight from a new angle and I'm missing out on it.

If something sounds smashed, lifeless, or distorted, reduce the ratio.

..or maybe raise the attack time?

Thanks.
Wayne