Are You Making This Mistake? It Might Be Ruining Your Mixes...

[@squareleg5757]

Possibly the most useful 5 minutes of pro audio training on the Internet. Bravo.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Squareleg!

[@stickplayer2]

It's a bit of a trope in music production, but definitely on the sort-of "placebo" effect you noted at the beginning. I had a production client - multi-platinum selling song-write/performer - and we were working on producing demos of a musical they'd co-written. It got to that phase where they knew they wanted "something" changed in the mix, and after several hours of chasing whatever that was, I finally just said "I know exactly what you want, now", and proceeded to hook things up in various patchbays, adjusted outboard devices, etc., for about 15 minutes. Finally ready, I presented the adjusted mix. They exclaimed it was now "perfect". You know the punchline, though. None of it was actually hooked up to any audio, and it had no effect on the mix. But it got the job done.

[@AudioUniversity]

Great anecdote, @stickplayer2! I’ve had similar experiences mixing monitors for musicians. This psychological phenomenon can be used to our advantage!

[@telaim]

During a composition course, we had to listen 2 versions of a concerto and talked about differences: we found a lot very interesting differences in sound, interpretation .... and of course it was the same record 🤪

[@davidvosspoor4694]

It's not just your imaginary ears. It's social psychology too. Especially in a setting like a group of music students or "audiophiles": no one wants to be the yokel who says "hey it's all the same crap to me!"

[@unexpected8166]

Weird thing is, I purposefully looked away before the two clips started playing but STILL thought the second one had some kind of compression. That may be because I've already seen the image of the compressor and my mind instantaneously put those things together eventhough I didn't see it "live" . Crazy

[@hifijohn]

I Wasn't even looking at the video and the first one was much more open sounding.

[@leetingler619]

This may be in the realm of psycho-acoustics

[@musicbycandlelightmbc3225]

@ unexpected: I agree too. I had clicked the video and was fiddling with my cup before thinking on getting some coffee. Between the two comparisons while wearing headphones, I too came to the same conclusion that I heard the second one sounding it had subtle compression even though both sounded like someone playing inside a cardboard box. There wasn't that much of a change but I still say the second one had a difference. Hmmm. And I do everything by ear and headphones.

[@whothisbuddhist]

yes same i didn’t look either!! i thought for sure it got compressed

[@whothisbuddhist]

And not in a good way “the original sounds better” 😅

[@number6photo]

I’m in my late 50’s and have some significant (~25 dB) hearing loss in the low midrange frequencies (200-400 Hz). I kept skipping back between the two tracks at the beginning and was dismayed that I couldn’t discern any difference, blaming my condition. I not only laughed when you revealed they were the same, I was relieved. Great video for getting the point across! Thanks!

[@fregyt]

Love this comment

[@DerBinker]

Great demonstration! When I set up a VST and think that it made the clip sound better, I look away and repeatedly click the bypass, until I have no idea if it is on or off. I then compare the two versions by ear and choose whatever sounds better in the mix.

[@aazerwein]

This guy provides the best information about this on the planet. AND he looks like the most easygoing calm gentleman as well. I really wanna chill with him SO BAD.

[@silkroad1201]

He looks boring as hell lol. Which is fine and what makes him such a great informer. Too many KZbinrs care more about their pizazz than the information

[@DerekPower]

I actually did the close eyes technique during a lesson at Plaid Dog Recording (I was an apprentice engineer), knowing full well about the eyes bias *and* I wanted to let my ears determine what sounded good rather than looking at a dial or numerical values. Similarly, particularly with compression, I like turning the dial to an extreme setting first and then dialling it back to where it sounds right. It's much easier to find the right settings this way as you will find that "sweet spot" when it comes to compression because you are starting from a position where you want to avoid.

[@ivanadaev1000]

That works with EQ too. Used it in Winamp since I can't remember when.

[@DerekPower]

@@ivanadaev1000 Yeah, for EQ, the eyes close definitely works as a double-check, though it's good to look at what you are doing first when using something like Fabfilter (or any EQ with that kind of interface).

[@ivanadaev1000]

@@DerekPower I meant turning the dial to an extreme, then gradually pulling it down to find sweet spot.

[@DerekPower]

@@ivanadaev1000 That too 😁

[@lechat4602]

Good job, thank you so much for your professionalism and competence, as always. Some time ago, I had a strange impression when I saw a video of another audio producer, on YT. The entire video was dedicated to "how to improve the quality of a sound clip" (a battery solo). Lasting around 20 minutes. The guy started in the classical way: "Yeah, it's nice, but... I would like to have more spice... So, let's go!" and then he started to change lots of settings here and there, making sure to show off lots of visual plug-ins and explaining all with extreme gravity, captivating looks, and a profusion of technical terms. After each changing, he said: "Ohhh yeeeeeah, soooo much better! But I'm still not satisfied... let's go!". So, changes upon changes, finally he presented the "new" clip: for him it was "sooo much better than the start", obviously. Problem: honestly, I was under the impression that there were no changes... but I thought it was because I was watching the video without a professional equipment (an android tablet with no headphones), so I said to myself: "Ok, maybe it's all my fault... maybe he's right...". But now, the doubt of having just seen a clickbait video comes back to me.

[@whaleguy]

One of the most common issues I find cropping up related to this is when I hear or read advice on "being subtle with your moves". So people tend to look at the gain reduction on an EQ and set it to no more than 2-3 db because they can see it. I have recently acquired some channel strip plugins to defeat this very mentality. When I'm just turning a knob, it is much harder to judge what is "too extreme" and it'll force me to listen more. I do do extreme moves at times, but even so, I think taking away the GUIs is a useful part of training our ears so that we can mix without always needing the visual feedback.

[@YAWN....]

Too true mate. I remember recording my ex's vocals and she said it was too toppy in her headphones. I pretended to adjust the EQ and she said that was better lol... Nice vids as usual bro.

[@pyrobreather1]

For any of you that doubt how powerful this effect is, today (after several years with the X32) was the day I discovered that enable EQ button...Oh... ...so it *IS* supposed to be the same color as the high pass filter... Perhaps it's for the best, as it was right after I saw your ear training series and today I could pick out what I needed to cut almost instantly. You don't know just how much your content means to a mostly self-taught church volunteer such as myself. And with that...yeah, I'm going to read the X32 manual, and see what else I missed. Especially since I'll need to show other people how to do it.

[@shottyj]

Thank you for all the videos you make, Every time I clicked, I learn something new.

[@flavy1000]

I bet that is the point...and I've always thought about ...trusting our years!! Listening without the influence of eyes...I totally adhere...

[@artysanmobile]

The host makes an excellent, fundamental point here. I would extend this lesson to what many think is ‘producing’ but I would say is actually mixing. Listen to the whole piece being mixed before doing anything technical to it. Don’t touch eq, dynamics, even pans. Throw all the faders up and get a 15 second balance in mono, then hear it. Many, many times with pencil and paper. Try to develop an opinion about the arrangement, lyrics, overall impact and meaning of the piece. Imagine what would make it ‘better’ for you without touching a single control. Is the vamp boring, too much repetition? Is the intro pissing you off, pointlessly too long? Is that solo gratuitous, even embarrassing? And most of all, is the story getting told? I spend a very long time in this mode, and any changes that result save me many hours later. Our job is not to polish a rock into a gem, it is to make a great rock.

[@jdanielcramer]

This is a great point, clients that I worked with years ago as a producer were always surprised when I explained to them that the mix really starts with these basic elements, sometimes it was as simple as changing the key to match the vocalists range. 👍

[@artysanmobile]

@@jdanielcramer Each musical key has its own mood, for lack of another word. A-flat is a markedly different world from A, and I will often change key after the fact if it feels absolutely magical to do so. This can be easy (in mastering) or unbelievably time consuming mid-project. I prefer mid-project so that overdubs are done in the final key, which go a long way towards ‘legitimizing’ the new signature.

[@leetingler619]

Hear hear! I agree! Coming from the old school of using these outboard units to enhance audio is great. Using your ears to hear/see the music was the norm. I learned from the greats of the day, like a close mentor Bill Porter. He was a master mixer. So in essence use your ears and feel what is happening.

[@Boomsterblak]

Very true,visual is great for learning vibration as it relates to frequency,but the ears are your best friend and a relatively cheap piece of equipment.

[@sparkside217]

Really excellent, nuanced discussion man

[@OnyxSkiesXIX]

Me watching this on my laptop: Hmm, these sound the same, I guess my speakers aren't good enough to tell the difference. Three minutes later: Ok, nevermind.

[@aaronschultz5206]

Great video! Both this and mixing without context used to be my two biggest bad habits

[@Serzari]

There's a lot on this in general music production too, not just the engineering side. Human perception is a very fluid and impressionable thing. More or less gain supersedes any other effect on your hearing if not compensated, eyes shape your hearing based on expectations, and repetition legitimizes so that subtle change (or accidental lack of change) may sound better simply from acclimation to the tonal balance or musical idea on more listens. I'm still developing my skills, but the basics as I've heard it from a variety of engineers: Understand and check your meters, close your eyes so your ears get a turn, refresh them with reference tracks and breaks, exaggerate your effects before dialing them back and A/B test to feel what they're doing, and work quickly to avoid ear fatigue and acclimation. All of it in service of getting out of your own head so you can stay critical and produce something that sounds just as good to everyone else, and to you when you come back to it, as you thought it did when you finished making it.

[@donaldbundy3499]

This is a valuable lesson, thanks. During a sound check the guitarist wasn't happy with the guitar tone coming from my console so proceeded to come out to FOH and took the liberty of making a satisfactory adjustment then returned to the stage. The EQ was bypassed. An old saying in playing chess, never interrupt an opponent when they're making a mistake. ;) Now musicians aren't opponents but I liked the tone the way it was and never said anything.

[@AudioUniversity]

Great story, Donald! Thanks for sharing.

[@aschelocke5287]

And why wouldn't you tell him or do the changes he wanted? You're doing FOH, it's your job to do it the way he likes it, not you

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

You got me there. Well played, sir! Well played indeed.

[@extendedblundering]

alright you got me! I was thinking the second one sounded more crisp and legit thought this was going to be about transient shaping for a moment. Sneaky, very good point to drive home tho and mission accomplished

[@TheRaptorXX]

Spot ON there! Great point very well put.

[@MKD371]

To my mind It is clear the cymbals are slightly choked with compression. So maybe I'm missing something. There will always be a slight change in sound, simply because of the algorithm the material is going through, it becomes more apparent when inserting plugins in your own daw setup, it can sometimes be so subtle almost a feel thing. It's funny I don't see camera people saying, don't put a lens on unless you really need it. The helpful way to look at compression is to understand release times etc and then decide if you wish to colour a tone and shape it. Specifically with the waves basic comp bundle I often notice how the sound becomes a bit duller, with a narrower stereo image then before, and have always wondered, why a supposed transparent digital comp is messing around with an imaging thing. It's not just that specific bundle, many compressors and brands can tend to narrow the image slightly, hence many engineers using the now well-known trick of using mid-side comp or just a comp in stereo to remove some of the clamping down narrowing artefacts. Simply put, anything put on a signal will change it, and if you can hear it, especially not on youtube, if subtle, then insert a comp on the daw, the same one as in this video, and the source will feel difference. The other response is, unless you really do want nothing on the source, then don't put something on the source: simples. With C1 Comp, a standard kit with a clear back beat and singular hits, snare bass drum hi hat, would sound ok, but to exaggerate the point, if you where to put the same comp on a balance lush, jazzy open spacious sounding kit, with smooth spread washy cymbals and wide Tom Tom spread, you will hear an dulling of the tone and a collapsing initial stereo spreading of the image which is why, according to the manual, waves have mentioned that this bundle is suited best for insert material on slightly more mono signals, because they feel most elements should, ideally be controlled and tamed, before anyone starts saying that is my opinion, it is the reason, Schepps and Brauer and Clearmountain, never liked directly compressing things, and further more favoured using stereo compressors, to escape this non-transparent collapse of the mix or elements in the mix, that couple with parallel comp. It is also the reason you don't see something like the C1 Comp strapped across the master bus, it simply can't handle all that lush stereo information, not in the way a fairchild or other comp can.

[@WilliamBlackrose]

Thank you so much for this video. I started using it in my mix today and it is just crazy how much I depended on meters for a good mix. Closed my eyes and … WOW. Thank you so much You taught an old South African dog a new trick

[@Pinkybum]

THE most important thing is to volume balance the before and after. The choice of whether to use an effect can be enhanced by A/B'ing the effect with your eyes closed.

[@neurotransmission6825]

So glad I just found this channel. It's exactly what I've been looking for.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that!

[@christophernoia5197]

This has happened to me while mixing. I was making adjustments to a bus compressor that I forgot I had bypassed. At first I thought I was getting closer to the result I wanted but after a bit of messing with the attack time and threshold I realized nothing was happening. It was a quick mistake but it got me thinking about how I heard a difference at first. Our minds are weird.

[@kwamesha3477]

I've had this argument with engineers trying to flatten the graphic eq curve while tuning a room (analog days). In a crunch situation I'm not concerned how flat the graphic eq LOOKED, but more with how the system sounded in the room.

[@isomatic]

Fantastic video. The sooner people realize this phenomenon, the better.

[@MathViana]

thanks for sharing your knowledge! From Brazil

[@J3unG]

Excellent point! Thank you for making this vid. Keep up the good work.

[@backspin6698]

Ha, I knew it. No difference. Wise words. If it sounds good, it is good. About drums. I heard a interview with Dave Grohl, and he didn't like to much compression on the drums, if any at all. And I agree, less is more. Love this channel. Keep up the good work.

[@cleverdood]

I closed my eyes too, I thought the 2nd sounded a little tighter, but I try to use my ears as much as possible. Still not entirely sure what to listen for in some cases. Your other vid about listening for “ee, oo” etc was fantastic.

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m glad you found that method to be helpful, Jason!

[@crustyjusty7]

Actually pretty happy with that little test. I was struggling to hear any difference in the A/B audio… turns out I was correct.

[@Asgaia]

Fun fact. It can be vice versa. I once adjusted a compressor (dbx), and I was sure the channel needed a compressor, until it sounded good. And then I realized it was not working. Threshold was too high. But that was the best setting ...

[@emiel333]

Great topic. Love your channel, Kyle.

[@trexxperiaz8654]

Great trick! I hope many people will learn it from you

[@KendalSmithy]

I thought my hearing was faulty until you spilled the beans! Great lesson, thanks.

[@blackmichael4126]

some ppl tell clients they made changes even though they didn't - anticipating that the artist would not be able to hear the difference the change made, or too set in their ways of mixing.. I've had this happened multiple times with at least two different engineers...... it often has a negative impact on the working relationship. What also sucks is when they actually make the change you ask, but then don't adjust everything else relatively.

[@luigipati3815]

Excellent content, and superbly explained. 👍

[@Marvel13223]

Dang I didn’t know I needed help ruining my mixes. I usually do that with no help😂

[@user-pj4hz4yu7q]

No bullshit, I was watching the waveform as the two clips were being played back, not even paying attention to the compressor and I still thought I heard something different. The power of suggestion is very fucking real.

[@MrFattarot]

I never looked at the screen while the clips were being played and I still heard a difference. I thought number 2 sounded better. But I guess it's the fact that my mind expected there to be a difference so it went looking for that difference.

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Great job. Excellent tutorial. Had me fooled! Thanks for the reminder of ears over eyes!

[@srreed5335]

Thank U. This only reinforces my original thoughts. 🤔👍. Heck of a teacher u are!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, @s r reed!

[@srreed5335]

@@AudioUniversity A quick question. History of digital recording. " Was Sting one of the first to record a full digital album commercially"? After watching ur video earlier today I got curious to hear the difference between then and now. I can only assume all the "cheez" was analog and dumped in during mastering. "Teacher" perhaps you know. If you can find a bit of time I could use another lesson lol. A wonderful holiday to you.

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m not sure. That’s a good topic for a future video though! Thanks!

[@brianbauer3148]

I talk about this with guys in working with all the time. In the digital world especially, everyone has been changing the EQ on a channel without realizing they have the wrong channel selected.

[@SarisChannel18]

You'll always hear something different the first time. Often enough your mind will 'solve' the paradox which defines effective music, and journey along each sound until the music sounds mundane to the listener.

[@hannahmillington5781]

Such a great video!!! I think this is subconsciously why I pick the 'analogue' looking plugins rather than those with such a lot of lights, LEDs, waves etc. I prefer to turn a knob and listen!

[@webjammer1]

The ears and the eyes are easily deceived. I have had more than once while mixing monitors where the artist says "good" where they see me slide my finger to get to the aux sends and thinking I am adjusting their monitor. I was mixing a band at a festival and the guitar player's girl friend came up and told me the guitar needed more 400Khz. I complimented her on her acute sense of hearing and told her I was just getting ready to turn that up. I reached over and turned up an EQ on an unassigned channel and asked "how's that?" and she replied "that's much better, thanks".

[@leetingler619]

Something else to consider it you can play your mix at a low volume and you can hear every instrument clearly you have a great mix. If you can't and have to play at a high volume you don't.

[@michaelkesti3917]

I closed my eyes through the opening listening test and initially thought there was no difference but by the end of the test, I decided there could be something different about the kick drum.

[@michaelanthony9068]

Excellent point.

[@imark7777777]

Well it seems pertinent that I'm watching it a year later. I was recently doing something I don't know what it was, I think I was adjusting the gain or EQ. However after 10 minutes I realized it was the wrong channel!

[@Yusufmasron]

Very good lesson, thanks

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you liked it!

[@DFMoray]

An interesting element to this is that sound is different every time you hear it. So the second time you hear the drum sample you’re listening to different qualities and it does sound different to you.

[@joelnorton9742]

Good, because i was really having a hard time. My perception would have had me choose the 2nd one with big suspicion i was wrong.

[@Boorifee]

As always awesome video. Can you make a video about "Harman tuning” and what you think of it

[@AudioUniversity]

That’s a great suggestion, Galford! Thanks.

[@juntapao]

I heard it with no difference thought that I am wrong, but then after explanation I am right all along :)

[@RobertRyda]

I totally agree on all points. However thru my iphone quietly in the middle of the night it has sounded as if one example had gating on. The compression was identical

[@DogandWolfGaming]

I didn't notice a difference but still thought "it has to be the second one. Just look at that compressor go!"

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I dont use in Daw visualisation EQs I put stems to audio and then view them in a basic audio software to see the wave form and see if there are any peaks that need reducing.

[@joserivera5063]

Glad I closed my eyes, I was worried because I didn't notice the difference at the beggining.

[@canofnothing]

I have found that I mix differently when using graphical plugins vs a console. I'm usually a bit more extreme with the console, because I'm trying my best to hear real differences. I do chalk that up to a bit of inexperience, though, because I'm still learning to hear subtle changes. Sometimes it takes a bit of back and forth with the bypass button to check if what I'm hearing is true. I think maybe having the visual aide in a plugin can help with understanding what you're hearing (or not hearing).

[@ericbrunel8933]

I must be getting used to that kind of thing: when you said to listen carefully to the 2 clips at the beginning, I automatically closed my eyes... and ended up thinking my ears were not trained enough since I couldn't hear what the difference was. 😅

[@bAWA_]

absolutely. a gem

[@grymmjack]

That is incredible. Wow. Great video. I watched them both several times and even though I know they are the same because you said so (and I trust you but have not watched the entire video yet) I still think the second one sounds compressed or enhanced. WTF!

[@kevinwang7894]

I wasn’t even looking at me screen and honestly thought the second one sounded better for some reason…watching this on my phone with its crappy speakers so it doesn’t really say much. MAYBE listening to something a second time tends to sound better because we now have a better idea of what to expect, and are now on the lookout for new details. Like watching a movie a second time, we often notice things we haven’t noticed the first time and it brings a different kind of enjoyment. I was working on a mix and was playing around with the eq; I ended up with something that looked insane so I got rid of it and started over…glad to know next time I can keep it :)

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@Slurkz]

Thanks for opening my eyes…. uhm… ears with this very effective advice. 🥰

[@whothisbuddhist]

wow i definitely thought the second recording had too much compression but listening back there is no difference

[@KristoferProphet]

I could swear the same thing. Thought it sounded like junk.

[@hchchc948]

you just blew my mind. i could have sworn i heard the compressor on, lol

[@mingomarrero]

Haha I was like I don’t hear anything different between clip 1 and 2. I’m glad I trust my ears 👂

[@UncleHeatBand]

👍 that was a great advice and well delivered. Thank you kind sir 🤘

[@thomasnonis3121]

Wow, I could have sworn I heard a difference in the clips. This is why a prefer mixing with an ssl strip eq instead of a fabfilter one for example. No visual feedback, which means I'm forced to use my ears.

[@BatEatsMoth]

I wasn't even looking at the meters (I had no idea what they meant because I don't use compression or know anything about it), but the second sample sounded better because I was paying more attention trying to hear something that's not there. That's another perceptual illusion people have to watch for.

[@AudioUniversity]

Great point!

[@imark7777777]

Yay my mind was saying I'm not hearing much of a difference I'm gonna have to relisten to it.

[@martinn6564]

This is an excellent video. I know I have definitely fallen into this trap. So desperate to get the best out of a sound, I've been straining my ears and eyes to achieve this and falling into this rabbit hole. I've learnt to close my eyes a lot and render a mix just to listen without anything to focus my view on. 😀

[@kayakbandits9894]

I was actually mad at myself and saying I’m never gonna get this shit because I couldn’t hear a difference 😂

[@Spaceboysteve]

HAHAHA! I totally fell for that, you old sly boots! Ah well, mistakes are a great way to learn. I just subscribed to the Ear Training Guide as well just in case. Cheers!

[@lilriverho]

great point! so underrated

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

Got me. Thought they were different too.

[@jonathanchartrand3351]

Good point and example.

[@RecordingStudio9]

Well said.

[@mikedonovan4768]

Good video my friend...subscribed !

[@zachfitzgerald]

nah it was my mind playing tricks on me because i was expecting there to be a difference between the 1st and 2nd audio clip. this is the most useful advice but theres even more useful advice... just leave your mix and come back after long break and no matter what tricks and wizardry you thought you heard, fresh ears is the biggest answer to improving your ears. also, i was gonna say, compressor? changing tone? nah eq maybe does so i knew that was wrong although yes comp can chnage tone lots i know.

[@AmarCartun]

I'm having problem getting the ear training guide. It isn't sending me any email having the url that would let me into the download section even if i entered my name and email appropriately.

[@AudioUniversity]

Be sure to check your spam or junk folder in your email.

[@juanrogelrodriguez8285]

Hola. Por favor activen los subtitulos de este estupendo video para que pueda ser entendido correctamente su contenido en diferentes idiomas.Gracias

[@uncleernie3391]

From frustration to elation... I listened and thought right away, gee... my ear is so bad and untrained that I cannot tell the difference! Then was relieved that, although untrained, I could still trust it😅

[@LukeBares]

I heard no difference, but I have experienced it often that I was adjusting EQs only to later find out I was on the wrong channel 😂

[@cak3030]

Yup.

[@tubeo94]

You got me! But the catch is, i didn’t look. I always listen to your videos while driving. But i still hear the difference. Dumbo me.

[@AudioUniversity]

Expecting a difference is just as powerful as seeing or hearing a difference, I guess! Thanks for watching!

[@arnoudjanschut]

I pushed the song 4x back to hear the difference, almost changed headphones to find what should be the difference, lol.

[@real2reel947]

Awesome point..... I don't fall for this anymore..... I write electronic music and am constantly adjusting to accommodate other parts that may be added later...... also great point about watching meters...... I definitely don't do that either anymore!!!!!!!! The ears are what matters in the end result anyway right!?!?!?!

[@nedim_guitar]

Man, I can't hear any difference. Edit: I played it four times, and nothing. After coming far enough in the video, I understood the point! Good one! 😁 It's always good to get a reminder to USE YOUR EARS! 😄

[@MrDjgeeth]

Thank you soo much !!!

[@szunabass]

I asked myself, something is wrong, cannot hear difference with comp. on... what kinda compressor is that..??? :DDDD Not realised that it's just a rip-off... :D And many many thanks for the link of ear training method, while I've been practising with that my mixes significally improved.. very useful tool!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that, Péter!

[@ombhatt8235]

When I couldn't hear difference between the two clips, I felt dumb 🤣 being a sound engineer. Proud of my ears 😉

Listened through the clips several times, thinking that the difference must be really small. I was almost ready to dismiss the whole video as a "oh it's probably some very high end trick that some people think it's important but doesn't really make that much of a difference" thing. Even after I paid attention to what was on the screen and saw the compressor doing its thing I still thought that I can't really hear any difference significant enough for me to say that some additional tool had been applied. But the message of the video is very good, although at least personally I often end up with good "looking" EQ graphs simply because I need to mix a new live set in a hurry and have to begin by applying some generic correction that has worked in the same space with the same tools before. Which is also the reason why I always want to hear the difference between audio clips. If I can't hear it, it was probably a waste of time to apply it in the first place and time is of very high value to me. I do audio technics as a volunteer for a local pentecostal church and there's a large number of musicians and different kinds of sets that rotate there.