Music Production Learning

#
>

Compression

→
#
>

Uses

→
#
>
  • normalize vocal audio to stand out better in the mix (and feel natural)
→
#
>
  • maintain sustain and reverb, especially on guitars and the like
→
#
>

General

→
#
>
  • make sure audio gain is set well
→
#
>
  • don’t compress on solo (need to see where it fits in the mix)
→
#
>
  • usually good to EQ and de-ess before compression
→
#
>
  • try closing your eyes and try not to let visual cues on the UI be your only guide
→
#
>

Ratio

→
#
>
  • gentle ratio good for rounding out generally varying audio volume
→
#
>
  • strong ratio good for clamping a few rare volume jumps
→
#
>

Attack

→
#
>
  • maintain transients
→
#
>

Release

→
#
>
  • want the compressor to open back up and recover at the ends of phrases and words
→
#
> 
 - can see this visually as the compression slowly lets back up
→
#
>
  • faster release when trying to have a sustain so the compression backs off and the output gain is left
→
#
>

Reverb

→
#
>

EQ

→