ADVANCED COMPRESSION IN MIXING (EXTREME TECHNIQUE FOR DRUMS!!!) Parallel Compression on Drums

[@RussPaladino]

The ability to manipulate compression like a pro, even in a home studio, is the difference between slamming mixes and amateur sounding tracks. Thank you for sharing your expertise and showing the rest of us how it's done.

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hey Russ. Thanks so much! Hope you learned something from this :)

[@garbygarb31]

This is by far the best mixing channel on youtube. And believe me I've seen them all. You actually explain very tangibly in reproducibly what to do. It's not that you're giving us exact settings, but you very clearly explain your thought process and the proper techniques to use to achieve a certain result. I feel like other channels don't really give tangible reproducible instruction. They just say a bunch of arbitrary stuff that doesn't really mean anything

[@ElejirElVersatil]

INSANE!!! Arty is an OG. Def tons of Knowledge and Experience, Thanks for Sharing! - Elejir

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks so much Elejir!! Gives me the encouragement to do more of 'em! :)

[@MrAdrianloera]

This is gonna sound crazy but I feel the fish slap compression in my nose/nasal cavities when engaged. Man it really helps line up the percussive patterns with the rhythmic sizzle in a vocal. My brain registers a 3 dimensionality with it. Very nice thank you for sharing this.

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Haha! Yeah, I get it. It's like when speakers are out of phase it makes me go crosseyed! Thanks for sharing that. 😆

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

Try parallel limiting with a waves L3-16 multiband limiter, same deal, hit it hard, it dumps the hot frequencies and smooths out frequency response underneath a vocal. It distorts to add edge to aggressive vocals. The L3-16 has 16 individual bands. Usually about 3 to 6 db under dry vox is good. Oh yeah La2a on the vocal channel, no Reduction just run audio thru it.

[@tristanishtar8906]

Great idea! Thank you. It's like parallel compression on steroids. I have the waves dbx plug-in but haven't used it this way, yet....

[@harvestmediacompany7810]

Thanks for the invaluable industry secret. I tried it immediately on a digital drum loop with very noticeable results regarding the cut through. It cut through even the most high end violin I tried along side. Great preset for my future mixes, we appreciate it. HMC

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Actually works on vocals as well, but a little less extreme. Thanks for you comments! :)

[@Boissinova]

I’m a young producer. I found the actual workflow aspect of this video very helpful. Subscribing for more. Thx

[@correametal]

Another awesome video as well Arty. I've had the dbx plugin for some time and simply got it because Waves sent me a promo about a year ago to get it very cheap. I had not find any use for it until now and I really love the way you applied it and the end result. I will definitely start experimenting with it. Thanks Arty, blessings for you always!

[@crissabater7698]

As per usual a brilliant video from Arty on compression this time. Just love your channel mate. Cheers. :-)

[@djsefu]

Just wanted to thank u for ur invaluable insight into engineering brother. I notice ur not posting anymore which is a real shame because channels like urs are far and few between. Cheers from Australia

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hi Jih, thanks, . I really appreciate the comment and the encouragement. I'm actually in the process of setting up a Facebook group, called music production academy for the real world, and I have a few more videos ready to go very soon. Stay tuned 🎶 😉

[@officialWWM]

I wish you would start posting again. I learned so much from you!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks! I do plan to! But I’ve been too busy with productions, but hopefully within the next few months and thanks for the encouragement 👍🍕

[@officialWWM]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup Awesome, thanks for your reply. I’m glad you’re busy :)

[@EyesOfTruthmusic]

High quality content and teacher!

[@1erwayne]

This is a great tip!! I have 2 160a's and works like a charm. Do you have any complete mix tutorials? Very interested in viewing a mix in real time. Thanks Skye!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks! Not yet, but that's an interesting idea. But check out our tutorial mixing background vocals. It goes into a lot of mixing details. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmqeqeuZ8iDnpI

[@dareldarel8826]

Much appreciation. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. And well done videos.

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hey Da'Rel, thanks for you comments! Keep watching, more on the way soon :)

[@sINGLE_hANDED]

Great video! Many thanks. Just love how clearly you explain things!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks Andrea. We have a lot more videos coming soon, so please stay tuned :) 😀

[@geroiavin8199]

Good mastering too

[@elmega1262]

Straight to the point!! Thank you for this presentation 🙏

[@aureliensooukian]

Stunning technique, great teacher, instant sub! Thank you!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks Aure. I appreciate the comment! :) -Arty

[@robertvince8466]

Great video. Thanks for the lesson.

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks for tuning in Bobby!

[@charliekey2979]

Great content, I love it!

[@theavramium]

Great video so thank you !!! Also API compressor can do similar tight compression with super punch.

[@robertwhite]

Hi sir, thank you so much for this tutorial. Do you have any tutorials regarding mixing vocals... the professional way? Looking forward to it. Thank you sir

[@Shred_Rocket]

Gold!!!

[@MalikAmer87]

great video thank 😍🙏.

[@h2oproductions897]

eeeeeexcellent (rubbing hands like Mr Burns in the Simpsons ! ) Have a great day sir and thank you !

[@droz65]

Yo, THIS IS MY DUDE!!!! Can ALWAYS count on you, brother, to share THE BEST techniques and keys to helping one improve one's recording endeavors!!!! 💯

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Glad you liked it, and I see you've checked out some of the other videos as well so thank you!!! I appreciate your support 👍

[@droz65]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup No problem, always, but, hey, frankly and honestly, one would have to be an arrogant narcissistic fool not to watch and learn from one of the best at the craft which is supportive in itself and helps many elevate to a higher level in our craft!!!💯

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

@Original DRose Thanks D, cheers!

[@tonybarber3535]

Thank you for this tutorial can you do a video on compression on vocals please!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Coming soon! Stay tuned. We just released a new video today, about Reverb Mixing, so please check it out if you can. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6DChn6Zds-Bn8U

[@shimfarca8441]

dopee🤙🏽

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks so much Shimon!

[@nichttuntun3364]

I knew the dbx serial trick for making killer snares and drums. This is such a valuable addition to my arsenal. I can use that in so many situation. I´m just glad for this. Amazing that you share such things with us. Stay safe and sound. P.S. are you still planning to make the video about plugins on the 2-bus to mix into. I´m a fan of such a strategy and gotten curious about your thoughts about this :)

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hey Nich, Yep, I'm planning on doing more videos, mix bus being one of them. I got very sidetracked with projects, but I have more things in the works now. Thanks! -Arty

[@nichttuntun3364]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup very cool, I´m looking foreward. Stay safe :)

[@ckowalski1029]

Thanks. May give the DBx a try. How would you set this up for a drumkit group that has some volume automation?

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hi. I actually wouldn't use the DBX160 for that, especially in the extreme mode. I'd use an 1176, or an SSL bus compressor. Or my favorite GOTO plugins these days, the CLA3A or the Schepps Omni channel. I don't love the DBX160 on the drum buss, because I find the attack a little too fast, which seems to cut off the transients and it takes away my 'smack'. Hope this helps :)

[@ckowalski1029]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup Thanks!

[@NinjaKnuckleJoe]

Awesome! Does this work with any other compressors?

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Not the ones we tried, which were all the stock Logic compressors, and we tried a bunch of the classics from Waves, but we didn't get enough punch. Have you tried it with any others?

[@TheQuesoJC]

Arty the links in the description to your instagram and facebook pages are broken fyi (or do not exist yet) Love the website by the way; high value thing you got!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hey Jacob! Thanks so much, I'll check those out and fix 'em! Really appreciate your comments :)

[@TheOpenJam]

Hey Arty, thank you so much for your videos (just discovered your channel and it's awesome). I have a couple of questions: How is Dbx-160 plugin different from another compressor for this particular use (ex. RCompressor from Waves)? Also, in modern pop productions, when there are frequently 2-3 compressors each doing -5/10db on vocals, is this trick worth using?

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

The main difference with the DBX160 is the hard knee. And just the characteristics of the specific analog components used. And yes, very often I'll use more than 1 compressor. You just have to be aware that everytime you introduce a new compressor, you also can be changing something you don't want changed. For instance, The first compressor has a slow attack so the transients pop through, but it's only giving you 3db of reduction. So you introduce a second compressor to tame the higher dynamic peaks. But that one has a faster attack, and while it squashes the peaks, it also reduces the transients. So you really have to find the right balance. We just did a video all about attack settings, which will help you understand it, so please check it out. Thanks kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGjNeJV9rNplptk

[@TheOpenJam]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup Thanks so much! Already saw the vid about the attack settings :)

[@crissabater7698]

One compressor I use that can do this I have found is the MUJC compressor from Klanghelm. It's kind of like the swiss knife of compressors. But I have these plugins and will follow your method Arty. The more knowledge the better I say and just to mention you are a wonderful teacher. Cheers. :-)

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hey Cris, that's why I love discussions like this! I'm going check that compressor out. I knew there had to be others out there but I just haven't found them , so thank you! Cheers 🍺Arty

[@makesenz]

This is pretty close to the analog sound, love it! (still prefer analog though lol),

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Yep, there's nothing like the real thing! I still love analog as well. I listen to my old mixes and there's just something so solid about them. But digital keeps getting better and better, so we'll get there. One day 👍

[@makesenz]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup It’s warmth and depth that seems to be hard to implement with software, especially on drums I miss the “Umph” lol. You’re right, we’re getting closer! Baby steps...

[@pibayprodgineer5695]

I have sooo many question for this man! lol. Arty , what would your approach be to gain-staging now as opposed to what was done on analogue consoles? Thanks Oh yes the Waves VU comp seems to work pretty well on Parallel compression.. I haven't tried it with the transient designer though.

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hi Pibay. I paid a lot more attention to it in the analog world. Components were designed with optimal operating levels, and you'd get distortion if you exceeded it. On SSL consoles, if I saw my LINE IN light go from green to red, I had a problem and I'd correct it. I didn't like that distortion. But on an old Neve console, I'd sometimes overload a channel to get that distortion. In Digital, I honestly don't pay much attention to it. I just stay within a range, but I just don't get hung up on it. Thanks for the tip on the Waves VU. I'll try it!

[@pibayprodgineer5695]

SkyeLab Music Group no, thank you Arty Skye! Oh yes it was actually the “Vcomp” off of waves .

[@corystallworth4412]

Mr. Skye , will the compressed send/aux track cause the master to clip?

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

If it does, then you're probably adding more than you should. But the peak might really be a spike, so you can always add a limiter to the aux return. 👍

[@WavetableMetaphysics]

Can you help me out? I was looking to get some racks for my desk for mixing and mastering... But I need some light shed on me I won't take long just need to be set in the right direction. Thanks!

[@oledahl.]

Wow a real dbx 160 😛

[@hipethenomad]

I would love to get you to mix one of my songs (or listen to my mix and give me some pointers) is this something you could do?

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Been way too busy right now, but yes, you can book me for mixing . You can email the track to [e-mail] But please be patient, especially during the summer. 😎

[@subbbass]

I bought an used dbx 160 recently to play and record electric bass with it. Wich settings would you suggest? thanx!

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

It's hard to say exactly because there are so many variables with each specific instrument. But I'd say start with a 3 to 1 ratio, and set your threshold so it's only compressing during the harder hits. Adjust til it sounds right and your not squishing to much. Good luck!

[@subbbass]

@@SkyeLabMusicGroup thanx a lot!

[@oledahl.]

Hi, I'm just wondering about one thing. I have all the plugins that Waves has made (incl the Abbey Road and SSL plugs), And I have watched everything (really!) of videos at their site. And there is one thing that all the persons in the webinars etc preach like Jesus, it's: DO NOT CLIP YOUR PLUGINS because of digital distortion mainly. I'm told they are calibrated to -18 dB full scale (and my mixes really sounded a lot better after following that recommendation. Especially the api compressor. My confusion now is, because I really believe you know what you are talking about, who to listen to. Your example here sounded flawless imo. Can u help me out here so I understand this a bit better? Hope you have the time to do that. Thanks and again, best regards from Oslo/Norway🙏😃

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Thanks so much for your question Yes, the answer is both are right! Generally speaking, when you want things to be clean, which is the majority of the time for a majority of the sounds, absolutely operate within the recommended tolerances, and do not clip it!!! But think of this extreme technique more like in effect, or another tool in your toolbox that you can pull out when it's appropriate, or you just need to make something pop out of the mix. (Which is definitely not all the time)

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Also, I address your question in this video. "Breaking the rules of mixing". kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJfQcoV7dsiSrM0

[@oledahl.]

SkyeLab Music Group ok. Thank you so much for replying so fast! Love your channel!

[@spacemanpope1805]

Fuhgettaboutit

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

No problem!

[@norko7422]

Hi Arty! Can you tell me the name of this awesome Indian Style Song in this video please

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Hi Norman. Yes, it's a track I created for our company Hit Central, which makes "like" beats. We never really pursued it much, but we put it up on the KZbin channel for now. Glad you like it! Here's the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opCpZ6FjpcaqepY

[@norko7422]

Thank you very much! I have an earwig from this tune