What am I listening to, when using small ratios on the compressor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MASTA J.
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MASTA J.

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what are you listening for, when doing small ratio's of compression on a stereo mix?- music genre : hip hop (and pop)

I know how to use a compressor creatively, and I love large amounts on bass, vocals and guitar.
But when it comes to the whole mix and to drums, I am afraid to lose my dynamics and little amounts I just don't hear.

I use long attack times, so my transients get though and are not affected.
I use small attack times, so the music isn't pumping.

I mixed the tracks with nothing on the 2buss, so I can consentrate on the compression in mastering.
But doing that, It almost sounds like I do not need compression and I love the dynamics that are in the songs.

I like glue, though. .... so, what do I do?

I hope you have time for some tips, please don't hold back on being specific.
Thank You :-)
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Masta J.
 
MASTA J. said:
what are you listening for, when doing small ratio's of compression on a stereo mix?- music genre : hip hop (and pop)




I mixed the tracks with nothing on the 2buss, so I can consentrate on the compression in mastering.
But doing that, It almost sounds like I do not need compression and I love the dynamics that are in the songs.




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Masta J.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you answered your own question.
 
MASTA J. said:
what are you listening for, when doing small ratio's of compression on a stereo mix?..
..snip
..I use long attack times, so my transients get though and are not affected.
I use small attack times, so the music isn't pumping. ..
Click to expand...

Presumably that was long attacks' and small releases..
In the case where you have mixed (w/o the two buss comp) and like how it feels, moves' and 'gels-- it could be done!
One of the cool things I like about very or moderately low ratio and rather slow attack times on a mix is the kinds of movement it can add.. we're modulating' things a bit here and playing with what grabs' a little, how it rises back in (release.
If these sort qualities are already there (in other words the mix is already happening) you might be just playing with alternate feels, as in different but perhaps not necessarily better?

Keep in mind you're hitting this comp with mixed bag of energies- in time (and durations), levels (peaks and/or not..) and frequencies.
One thing to consider that can open a lot of doors are compressors with filters for the side chain (detector) - particularly to exclude or at least control how much of your low end dominates the compressor action.
Don't be afraid to let it 'pump some to get an ear on what it's doing, then back it down -ratio, threshold, both. And, A/B' the differences in and out - at equal volumes.
I'm doing some 'blues/old school rock'n roll lately, seeing combos on on my two buss 1.5 - 2/1 ranges, attacks 30 to 100 or more, releases 50 .. on out to 100-200. Different genre, but maybe food for thought.
 
Hey MixSit,

Well thanx a bunch. Your answer was what I was hoping for when I subscribed to this forum.
Tips and advice.

I got 5 tips out of your post that I wrote down. I will try them and maybe post the results.
I am happy with your answer! :listeningmusic:
 
think about CREST FACTOR
\

if you want dynamics, you have to let go of LOUDNESS for the sake of LOUDNESS
 
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