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Audio Compressor Mixing Mastering Basic.pdf
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- 3. WHAT DOES ACOMPRESSOR DO? SIMPLY, A COMPRESSOR IS USED TO COMPRESS A SOUND’S DYNAMIC RANGE. That is, to make the louder and quieter parts of the sound’s performance closer to each other in level. - It does this in one of two ways. In “downward compression,” The compressor attenuates the signal when it gets too loud. This is the most common form of compression. - In “upward compression,” the compressor boosts signal until it reaches a certain level. In either case, the dynamic range becomes narrower.
- 4. COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS 80% OFTHE MIX COMES FROM HOW WELL YOUR TRACKS ARE BALANCED. INVEST PLENTY OF TIME ON THIS STEP! ❏ The threshold essentially activates the compressor according to the incoming signal. It’s set at a certain level (in dB), and the compressor will activate when the signal is loud enough to cross this threshold level (downward compression) or quiet enough to fall below it (upward compression). ❏ How much compression occurs is controlled by the ratio. In a standard compressor (which is downward), a ratio of x:1 attenuates signal to a level of 1 dB above the threshold for every x dB it crosses.
- 6. COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS ❏ Theknee affects compression around the threshold. Think of it narrowing or widening the threshold point, affecting how signal at levels around the threshold will be compressed. ❏ The attack time (measured in ms) determines how quickly the compressor reacts once the signal has crossed the threshold. The attack time is the amount of time the compressor will go from zero compression to full compression caused by the ratio and threshold.
- 7. COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS ❏ Thesignal will eventually drop below the threshold, meaning compression has to stop. The release time determines how long it takes for the compressor to go from full compression to zero compression. ❏ To compensate for this, we can use the makeup gain parameter and amplify the output signal, which will bring those louder parts back to their previous level. However, when we do this, the entire signal is amplified, boosting the quieter parts as well. The signal will have a narrower dynamic range,
- 8. WHY USE ACOMPRESSOR? ❏ The sound as a whole will sound “louder” and more present in the mix. Compression will cause the sound to be less dynamic and organic, but this added presence can help a sound stand out in the mix. ❏ Additionally, compressors can be used to add color to a sound. Each compressor is unique, with different analog circuits and digital algorithms being used. Some compressors have a particular “sound” that engineers like for different types of instruments (e.g. the Teletronix LA-2A compressor for vocals). ❏ Compressors are also important for controlling the dynamics of live-recorded instruments and vocals. Hence, compression can help make the level more consistent.
- 9. COMPRESSING VOCAL PRACTICAL TIPS ✦A fast attack to catch the stray transient ✦ A quick release so that the compression doesn’t color the sound of the singer ✦ A low ratio so that when the compressor does go on, it smoothes the vocals without squashing them A typical setting might look like this: ✦ Threshold: –8 dB ✦ Ratio: Between 1.5:1 and 2:1 ✦ Attack: <1 ms ✦ Release: About 40 ms ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level matches the input level. You don’t need to add much gain.
- 10. COMPRESSING E. GUITAR PRACTICALTIPS The slow attack is what allows the guitar to have a bit of punch to it. If you want less punchiness, shorten the attack slightly. Be careful though because if you shorten it too much, you end up with a mushy sound. (Ahem . . . we’re not talking romance here. I mean the guitar has no definition.) If you do want to use a little compression to bring the guitar forward and give it some punch, try these settings: ✦ Threshold: –1 dB ✦Ratio: Between 2:1 and 3:1 ✦ Attack: 25 ms to 30 ms ✦ Release: About 200 ms ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level matches the input level. You don’t need to add much gain.
- 11. COMPRESSING KICK DRUM Forthe most part, you can get by with settings that tame the boom a little and allow the initial attack to get through. A sample setting looks like this: ✦ Threshold: –6 dB ✦ Ratio: Between 4:1 and 6:1 ✦ Attack: Between 40 ms and 50 ms ✦ Release: Between 200 ms and 300 ms ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level matches the input level. You don’t need to add much gain. COMPRESSING SNARE DRUM Adding compression to the snare drum is crucial if you want a tight, punchy sound. The following settings are common and versatile: ✦ Threshold: –4 dB ✦ Ratio: Between 4:1 and 6:1 ✦ Attack: Between 5 ms and 10 ms ✦ Release: Between 125 ms and 175 ms ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level matches the input level. You don’t need to add much gain