Mixing Poll Question 4 of 9: Compression

  • Thread starter Thread starter SouthSIDE Glen
  • Start date Start date

How often are your tracks compressed by the time you're done mixing?

  • I rarely use compression, I like to keep the natural dynamics of a recording

    Votes: 3 6.4%

  • I save my compressing for the mastering stage

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I sometimes apply some compression to tracks like bass or vocals to firm them up a bit

    Votes: 25 53.2%

  • As a general rule, I lightly compress each track a little before I mix

    Votes: 9 19.1%

  • I apply plenty of compression to most of the tracks; it makes it easier to sit them in the mix

    Votes: 10 21.3%

  • I compress as heavily as the music will let me so I can get the loudest radio mix possible

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    47
  • Poll closed .
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SouthSIDE Glen

SouthSIDE Glen

independentrecording.net
Hey folks,

As part of a project I'm working on I'm posting 9 questions regarding mixing engineer expereince and style on this forum in the form of poll questions.

Please select the one answer that most closely matches your situation or opinion. As always, the poll itself is anonymous, but I'd greatly welcome any text post responses discussing the question and answers as well.

This is question 4 of 9.
 
Gosh, I'm good.

To tell the truth, I really don't know much about compression, so I guess I rarely use it.
 
In my style of music (Metal) compression is a very handy tool...
 
This one is a little trickier, and the choices seem to need some tweaking, something like "when I need to based on performance issues, and any time I want to for artistic reasons or to improve the mix."
 
Metal + Blockfish = Happy

Drums, Distorted guitars, screaming vocals, all get compressed at some point. But I try to get away with doing as little as possible. I hate the "squished" sound that comes from over compression.
 
Why don't none of your polls have a option for...As needed? like I use plug-ins as needed or I use compression as needed? Its not very specific but true for most people who know what they're doing
 
Teacher said:
Why don't none of your polls have a option for...As needed? like I use plug-ins as needed or I use compression as needed? Its not very specific but true for most people who know what they're doing
Click to expand...
Well, probably because everyone thinks that what they do they do "as needed". I doubt there are many here who would do (or at least would admit to doing ;) ) stuff in their mixing that they thought wasn't needed. As such, "As needed" would be a nebulous response that could mean anything at all.

The questions and answers are not perfect, I'll be the first to admit. I'm trying to gauge trends more than naything else; specifics are what these text posts are for. In fact these text responses should be factored into anybody's analysis of the poll results.

I feel for you. I'm forcing folks to digitize their responses to a very low resolution. Just pick the closest sample to your analog response, or if none are close enough (which is a valid point of view as well), then just don't pick a canned answer, and leave your response just in text. That's valid too. All sincere responses are valid. :)

G.
 
I use compression on tracks as necessary -- if used, it's either for color, or to tame dynamics -- and when taming dynamics, I don't want to hear it working!
 
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