Audio Basics: How to Use a Compressor | SpectreSoundStudios TUTORIAL

Get 15% off "Producing Prog Rock with Glenn Fricker" here: bit.ly/2pt0stk
My Voiceover Mic: bit.ly/2onpf1g
Slate FG Stress: bit.ly/2DEL2Ye
Subscribe to SpectreSoundStudios and help the channel grow!
More subs=more tutorials that actually GET TO THE POINT.
My GO TO Recording Gear:
Cranborne 500 ADAT: imp.i114863.ne...
Rme Fireface: imp.i114863.ne...
Oktava Mc012: bit.ly/2TGjOKH
Distressor: imp.i114863.ne...
Revv 100P bit.ly/2It0Xxj
Synergy Amps: imp.i114863.ne...
Api 512c: imp.i114863.ne...
Lewitt Mics: bit.ly/2TH8k9J
Austrian Audio OC818: imp.i114863.ne...
Triad Orbit: bit.ly/3apFOQG
Engl Amps: bit.ly/2PR4vhc
Hosa cables: imp.i114863.ne...
Great River MP2NV: imp.i114863.ne...
Shirts & more: www.spectremedi...
Distrokid: www.distrokid.c...
My Camera: go.magik.ly/ml/...
My Slider: bit.ly/2k4SOX2
Follow Spectre Sound Studios:
Website: www.spectremedi...
Facebook: / spectremediagroup
Twitter: / spectremg
Instagram: / spectremediagroup
About Spectre Sound Studios:
I'm Glenn Fricker, engineer here at Spectre Sound Studios. I love making records, and after doing it for sixteen years, I want to pass on what I've learned. On my channel you can find tutorials on how to record guitar, bass, real drums and vocals. There's reviews and demos of tube amps, amp sims, drums, mics, preamps, outboard gear, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and plugin effects.
We've covered Moon on the Water, played Bias FX, given you the absolute best in Stupid Musician Texts, ranted & raved about bass guitar, and this channel is where The Eagle has Landed.
Everything you've wanted to learn about recording Hard Rock & Heavy Metal can be found right here on this channel!
I also respond to your comments & questions: The best make it into the SMG Viewer's Comments series of videos. Loads of fun, lots of laughs.
Thanks for checking out my channel & please subscribe!

[@SYCHR0N]

Threshold: When your mom starts yelling at you to turn down the music. Ratio: How much you turn down the music. Attack: How fast you turn down the music. Release: How long after she left you turn the music up again.

[@Ndlanding]

That explanation is clearer than anything "described" in this so-called tutorial.

[@GimmeJimmy23]

As an audio engineer (aren't we all?) this comment makes me especially happy. 😎

[@DDFProductions]

Honestly a really good way to remember

[@queenhenryviii]

Absolute brilliant analogy.

[@restojon1]

And today's interwebnets has it's winner 🏆 👏

[@RudyAyoub]

This pretty much is THE video we've been waiting for

[@garamata]

Rudy rudy rudy rudyyyyyyyy can i be your friend? :)))

[@greed777]

@Timothy Hunter gay

[@metaldreams3595]

Oh really you understand that shit now? What does ratio do? lol

[@diegolatorre4384]

I hear ya!

[@johnboyle3297]

We compressed our Bass player by parking the bands van on him

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Good idea!

[@FinalBaton]

okay, I cackled irl at this one

[@maxscardanelli6185]

John Boyle How do you add compression to a bass player? Stick him under the tourbus.

[@sansocie]

NICE :)

[@zibbezabba2491]

The other way is to give him the fat girl when you're divvying out the groupies.

[@myriadrocker]

This is, quite literally, the best explanation of compression controls I have yet to see. The plugin illustration helped immensely.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad it was useful!

[@caidurkan251]

Excellent video, you've explained this in 15 minutes better than my music production has across multiple lessons! Really cleared up when exactly to manipulate what control.

[@Ndlanding]

Eh?

[@larswillsen]

6 years ago, man have I found gold the last couple of days .. the guitar mixing video's are some of the best out there!

[@FinalBaton]

THANK YOU! I finally understand compression now. Never really could wrap my head around what it actually was but seeing you tweak the parameters and seeing the graph change accordingly and hearing the difference live made it crystal clear. I can't thank you enough for making me finally understand this basic and vital studio tool. We're going in the studio soon so I'm really happy to know what compression actually does and how it can be used

[@Axel_Xirics_Music]

Same here. Now my mixing is bound to getting a tad bit cleaner and also using compression as an effect on my guitar tones. Glen's a fucking beast when it comes to explaining these

[@leejaybirdmusic9829]

Likewise. I don't even own a compressor but when I get one i will know how to apply it properly.

[@davidcarpenter9232]

Yup

[@TheMrPaijo]

The best episode from you so far. Dont get me wrong, I really enjoy the other videos, but, this episode really give me some technical knowledge that I really need

[@godtoHrD]

This is agreed. Thanks Glenn

[@Notarget1337]

Please make a video "How to use a bass guitar" and "How to restring your bass" and probably "How to be a valuable part of a band". Need them so much.

[@Khazandar]

HIlarious.

[@Davmm96]

Another reason why I like jazz: bassists know their shit.

[@DJLUSH]

4:49 Been doing this recording thing for twenty years now. Never heard it explained this simply before. You are a Gentleman and a Scholar! Glenn Fricker for President... or Prime Minister or whatnot!!!!!

[@SlightlyTechnical]

I used to use a compressor with my tele to tame the the high end. Your the first to talk about this in a studio environment in a clear concise way thank you

[@lugubersr]

A few days ago I watched the 2021 basic lesson on this. Now I come across this video. Same stuff 3 years later. BUT DAMN GLENN! The diet really did wonders for you! in 2021 you look better than 2018. Good for you! btw.... keep it going with the basic stuff!

[@tylersmith5885]

1.4 million subs at 0:19 Hopes in the sky. I really like these kind of tutorials and hope that you reach it some day. Best of luck Glen.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Yeah, that's what it defaults to. I can always dream

[@spapalotl]

Glenn, I am super embarrassed to admit I have been faking my way through compression the past year I’ve worked as an amateur live engineer and recording hobbyist. I wanted to admit it though because after watching several videos and reading several explanations, this is THE MOST comprehensive tutorial I have ever watched, mostly because of the live analytics and not just listening to the differences, but looking at the wave form. I am SO HAPPY right now because of this video. THANK YOU!!! ROCK ON!

[@jimidgaffigan8731]

Serious upgrade in production here! Looks great, love what you're doing Glenn, you've enabled me to pursue a serious recording career with your tutorials! Keep it up!

[@joolz666]

Rewatching this to help Glenn's algorithm and also the fact that I still haven't quite got the art of compression into my tiny brain. I remember watching this a few years back and finding it very well explained and useful. Excited to see what I pick up and can utilise this time round.

[@JensLarsen]

Really cool format Glenn! Looking forward to more episodes!

[@bubbanose9580]

After a few years of watching toots regarding compression here on the tube, this by far is the best of them all ! Bless yer soul my man !! Peas to the Wurl : )

[@scottyarbrough7279]

Thanks Glenn. I learned a lot from this video. I play drums, so it was really cool to get a basic understanding of what compression is and what it does. Same with the effects. I'm all ears for your next video. Our song writer does are recording now for demo purposes we sound pretty good, but if we were in your studio for recording, we could go from good to great! Thanks Glenn . Keep up your great work !!!

[@MrBillgonzo]

I'm really glad you made this video. I meet so many aspiring engineers who really have no clue what a compressor is or what it does. You should also make a video on side compression just to exemplify further how a compressor is functioning.

[@Thomas0661]

I like the fact, that after all the videos I've seen from you, this is the first time I have actually took the time to comment. (Was to busy to learn and use it) :D I've used alot of your tricks and man did I feel like an idiot when i realized, (before i knew what "this knob looks nice, lets turn it" ) and had absolutely no idea how to master any of it. Today years later, i feel "just okay" in the studio field. And you sir, dont get enough credit for helping us "self taught" producers out. thx man, all the best to you. Thomas, Europe Denmark

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad I could be of help!

[@elite_assassin5893]

Without a doubt, the best musician on the platform. Keeps it real 1,000% of the time. You look a lot healthier now so congrats keep doing what you do best, keeping it real 🐐

[@garrettendi]

I've always struggled with understanding and using compression, so thanks! Could we get a tutorial on EQing effectively and low/high pass filters? Although I seem to remember seeing you do these already!

[@aaronsmith2611]

Simply put, a high pass filter removes low frequencies and a low pass removes high frequencies. Every instrument in your mix should have its own spot carved out. The filters will help you accomplish that. So, think of it as stacking the instruments from low to high. Usually, you'll start with your kick on the bottom requiring no high pass filter. Next, might be your bass guitar, you might cut the lows up to about 60Hz. Next, you might cut guitars up to 80Hz and so on. Something like cymbals where you don't really need low end to come through, you'll cut the lows pretty severely, maybe up around 200Hz. Of course, these are ballpark ranges and they can very. But, the important thing to understand is to just carve out that spot, so each instrument can come through the mix clearly, but understand where it fits in the stack. Not every instrument needs to take up the entire frequency range to sound good in the mix, so don't be afraid to cut what you don't really need.

[@Anthonybrother]

so using compression is mainly to save on memory?

[@puneetverma1847]

Thanks! First time in years I have clarity

[@crashdan0783]

Wow this is amazing. This might be my the most helpful (to me) vid to date

[@crashdan0783]

That salte really livened the room up. I was impressed with that. Thanks you taking the time to explain through it.

[@rafaels3334]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. You've got the teacher gene brother. Clear, sharp, to the point, easy to grasp and great analogies. More! GIVE US MOAAARRR..!!

[@craigparse1439]

Great video! Compression is always difficult to explain. It would be nice to see how to use compression for vocals as well. Thanks!

[@endoffate5475]

And metal bass.

[@giroliro3]

I've watched countless videos on compression and even learned it in university and this video is the first thing I've seen where I can actually hear what every parameter is doing. Thank you so much!

[@MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

This is your best content, man! Definitely! It surely helps me with my stuff!

[@EwanMatheson]

I've been using compressors for years, I know the effect they have from listening to them but never had their functionality properly explained. It makes so much sense now.

[@elmo7sharp9]

Here's a - hopefully - CONSTRUCTIVE criticism: Great visuals and a helpfully worded explanation, but... This would be a lot clearer if demonstrated with a short LOOPED section of audio, so that we could hear the effect of changing each parameter on source material that stays constant.

[@SpeccyMan]

With your comment you've managed to make it clear you do not understand the subject matter. If the source remained constant IT WOULD NOT NEED COMPRESSION!!

[@Jaburu]

@@SpeccyMan the compressor is not used to level out parts here. it's more of a "photoshop" like aplication

[@novakastmusic]

@@SpeccyMan I think he meant just cutting between the clips of the compressed audio and the non compressed audio

[@Thearcherfl]

THanks again! Even after 20+ years playing guitars, I was too shy to tell anybody I dont really understand compression and all of its uses. I know how to use my DynaComp pedal. But past that I was stupid. Now Im still stupid, but I understand compression a tad more. Thanks guys and or gals!

[@scottstoker3143]

I like the different background/camera angle.

[@CoTeCiOtm]

I was wondering about the difference between compressor and limiter, I'll be waiting for the next episode. This is by far the clearest explanation of compression I've seen.

[@Serris412]

Super extreme compression always reminds me of those cheap video cameras that slam everything to keep it under control

[@demagmusic]

What I find even worse is the compression in cable box "volume levelling" features. Although I *DO* hate it when the commercials are too loud, I think the pumping and breathing of the compression is worse

[@danielpiazza4036]

God, where were you when I was going to audio school. Best compressor explanation ever. Took me forever to sort it out. You're the man.

[@mitchell2719]

Loving this new format. Keep it up!

[@danlewis8044]

I've been looking for this explanation for longer than I want to admit. Thanks Glenn! Seeing you react and respond to something live and immediate was SO helpful! Compression has always baffled me. This...this was just nuts-and-bolts like no-one anywhere else has done. Thanks for the practical application!

[@insightibanez]

I pushed the LIKE button before watching the video.

[@hadleymanmusic]

insightibanez me too

[@DonPiruflo]

same

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Thats not good as its picked up by KZbin analytics and proves people aren't really watching content.

[@RudyAyoub]

insightibanez SAME

[@linusbrendel]

I do this too with channels where I know that I will like the content. I once made a very similar comment on some video, and I got sooooooooo much hate for it. 😂

[@mst3k0196]

Thank you for these videos. Really enjoying your content as a musician who's just starting to get into recording at home. This video helped me shape my bass tone from sounding like a case of bad diarrhea farts to pure, warm growl and low end! Earned yourself another subscriber!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad I could help, Adam!

[@Rickholly74]

Excellent video. I always say compression is the greatest and worst studio tool there is. It is a difficult thing to understand mostly because of the varying terms used. The concept of what it does is easy to grasp the application part is difficult because of those varying terms that throw most people (me included). Thresheld, attack, ratio, hard knee, soft knee.....YIKES!! More of this please. Simple , in non technical terms. Thanks again.

[@voidbrothersmedia5422]

Pretty much solely work in the hip hop world but all your explanations on how to use all the effects and racks properly are the very best out there

[@toreholmerup3106]

Sounds like you should check your gate settings, your voice is cutting out in a few spots in the video

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Yep. New mic, so it's a slightly different level

[@khronscave]

Any chance of getting another 2-3in of distance to the mic? Those plosives...

[@bertrandlecerf2565]

What mic is that, by the way ?

[@khronscave]

Going by the "Pure" inscription on the side, that'll be the Lewitt LCT-440.

[@songsthatmovedus]

You have really really high standards in free lessons. Don't like the plosives, cover your fucking ears.

[@zero1d]

Glenn, just wanted to say ditto to the rave reviews. I recently waded back into the world of home recording and am amazed at the amount of information now available and the technology to make near professional sounding recordings in a home studio. That said, I never really fully understood how to apply a compressor and this was a huge help. Love all the vids and information and no bullshit commentary and reviews!

[@CronicGaming94]

Hellyeah. I enjoy these type of tutorials.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Way late to the comment section game, but thank you for this. I play around with Reason's DAW and honestly, compression is often mysterious to me. I appreciate the breakdown and visuals of what those knobs do. It'll help eliminate some guesswork when I'm making noises that no one really wants to hear....but they'll be better compressed.

[@MOON_BOYS]

i like when you don't scream to me . i see nightmares....

[@ryanolinski7163]

Yeah I farted how does that make you feel?

[@FrankieHiltz]

The visualization that first compressor gave was incredible. It helped me understand so much more. Please do more 1 on 1s like this with common and essentials components. I'm tired of watching videos of people saying "add this effect, turn this to this and that to that". I wanna KNOW what these things do, one by one. Thanks Glenn :)

[@61854425]

Hey Glenn thank you so much for this. rea;;y really appreciate it... you rock man.... \m/....

[@MelodyBrony]

Glen it's like you read my mind! I was looking for compresor tutorials, because I was struggling with my mixes, and then you came through with a video! Thanks for another awesome video! Cheers from Michigan

[@h80np39]

Glenn! i'm about to get into home recording and acquiring some (relatively) nice gear to record. i live with my parents and have neighbours, so recording loud isn't really an easy option, but i don't wanna go direct or use cab simulations either. anything i can do to actually mic up cabs without bothering my neighbours? is it wise to go with 1 speaker guitar ot bass cabs for recording? thanks in advance :)

[@PatrikTerminate]

Iso cab or iso booth, otherwise there aren't many options.

[@aaronsmith2611]

Honestly, with the quality of cab sims these days, that may be your best option if you don't want to bother your neighbors. I personally am still more of a fan of mic'ing cabs, but if volume is an issue, you may not get the desired effect anyway if you can't crank your amp.

[@h80np39]

Aaron Smith what about lower wattage heads though? do those have an impact on tone even if cranked up? i'm thinking maybe a peavy 6505mh on 5 watt mode

[@slavesforging5361]

Agree. build your own isolation box for your single speaker. Lots of metal bands do this live these days. just a mic'd speaker inside a sound treated box. Bob Rock has been known to throw a heavy cargo blanket over the speaker cabinet and mic, but this is for tone, and won't affect overall volume.

[@LosTroopos]

You'll probably need a good mic-preamp then. If you record low input, you need a good amount of gain on your preamp to compensate for it. And recording at low volumes isn't the greatest idea when it comes to tube amps, since you won't get a real good amount of saturation from the tubes. In my book, if you want to record a real tubeamp in your bedroom, a loadbox with decent speaker sim should do the trick. TwoNotes Torpedo Captor or Palmer Pdi03 come to mind.

[@minkorrh]

Just having that visual cements the 'ideas' that are floating around about what compression is actually doing. Great video! Thank Glen.

[@johnboyle3297]

Glen can you explain for newbies the difference between reverb and delay

[@HeyZeus096]

John Boyle delay is basically an echo, reverb is like adding sustain. So if you go in an auditorium and make noise you'll hear reverb, if you clap or yell at a brick wall you'll hear delay

[@simongunkel7457]

OK, the longer version: A delay generally does the following: It has some input signal. That input signal is attenuated by some number of dBs. It is sent to the output delayed by a time usually given in milliseconds (but alternatively you could specify it as a quarter note for your tempo for instance), Then the output signal is also sent to the input and mixed with the incoming signal (feedback). That means it will go through the same process again, being attenuated and delayed. So if you had an attenuation of 0dB, feedback at -3dB and a delay time of a quarter note, the output of your delay would be whatever comes from the input at its original level 1 quarter note later than it would be without the delay and the input, but 2 quarter notes later at -3dB and the input, but 3 quarter notes later at -6dB and so on. Often you can also pan the delay, or ping-pong it (meaning that alternating delays get panned left and right). Reverb arises naturally in any room (with the exception of rooms specifically designed to have none, but even those aren't perfect) because sound will spread in each direction from its source. And when it hits a surface it will bounce off. So when you hear somebody talk in a cathedral, you hear the sound coming from their mouth directly, but you will also hear sound reflected back from the ceilling, that pillar over there, etc. You could theoretically model this with delays for each direction from which you hear something. But that would be infinitely many delays, which is not practical. But the key difference is that the sound becomes *diffuse* as you have many different delay times. There werepieces of hardware that could create such diffuse effects, generally using something akin to a speaker to send the signal into some metallic material and then using the same principle as a pickup for an electric guitar to get the diffuse sound. These would be spring reverbs and plate reverbs. There are various digital ways to get reverb, early algorithms were plentiful and have characteristic sounds. Today a common method to get realistic reverb are convolution reverbs. These use impulse responses generated from recording a loud clicky sound (in a perfect world and impulse of 0 time duration, but nothing produces that so we go with something that is just very very short) in any room. Now you can use a very large number of delays - one per sample in your IR - setting the delay time to how far along your IR each sample is, using the value up the sample to set the attenuation and if the sign of the sample is negative flipping the phase of the delayed signal. So if you had an IR that was 2 seconds long at 44.1kHz, you'd be able to get the same effect by setting up 88,200 delays. the main musical difference is that the reverbs are diffuse, i.e. they tend to lose rythmic definition, pitch is less clear and if you just added reverb to reverb to reverb eventually you just get noise, i.e. a random signal, which doesn't really depend on the input anymore.

[@davidfuller581]

The guy above my comment nailed it. But here's the interesting thing. Reverb can be looked at as just a bunch of delays that are modulated - as a matter of fact, digital reverbs do just that.

[@FinalBaton]

reverb extends your dry sound. delay repeats your dry sound.

[@ZILtoid1991]

Also digital reverbs often have so called "impulse responses" that tell them what kind of filters to apply on certain delay lines eg. to emulate a certain room.

[@bingusvsgoogle]

Thank you so much. I haven't even finished the video and I have a much better understanding of compression. I've read a ton on the subject and still had no idea what I was doing. I feel like I've done pretty well so far but only after hours of trial and lots of error bullshit. Thanks again Glenn, You've added year to my life.

[@Evilwhiteclownpunk]

Well, that doesn't explain how air gets in my tire, does it???

[@JackstandJohnny]

Evilwhiteclownpunk Then you obviously werent paying attention.

[@petegaslondon]

Bass player ? lol Same thing, you push the air it gets tighter - kinda like the ratio control

[@DMidNyte]

Great video! And thanks for not yelling this time. Lol.

[@chasinggoats8155]

Fabfilter Pro C is definitely a great beginner-professional compressor that really gives you an idea what it's doing especially on transient heavy sounds like drums. It shows when the compressor kicks in, when it releases, how much it's compressing etc. Very good tool to get an idea on what compressors are doing visually.

[@BrianBower]

This is a good format for these types of videos. Do you use any of the compressors that Reaper has built in?

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Yes. The multiband

[@BrianBower]

Awesome and thanks for posting this kind of stuff. It helps me a lot.

[@アーノルドアンドリュー]

Despite already understanding how compression works, I still learned something in the first few minutes. Didn't know what they were originally designed for. Great vid!

[@danjwalker]

Helo, Base player person hear, I am answer dependent for a question. My wrist hurts from playing Base 5 minutes a daily. Can I put compression on it to make it not hurt less and for better base Playering? Ok. Got to leave my internet computer to help mom find her underwears. Thanks in my future for your response to my past question above that I just wrote.

[@EnergizingBane]

Uh

[@thewalrusdragon9579]

Glenn, just wanted to say thank you for all the time you put in to putting out free content on recording, mixing, and mastering. You have a way of explaining things in 10 minutes that most educational programs can barely convey in a year. I've been in to your stuff for a while, but am just now diving in to the recording tutorials as I am (like many metalheads who reach their 30's without fame) just moving from the musician to the producer side of music, and in literally a week I can notice a night and day difference in my mixes. Small things like explaining this type of stuff in detail makes a huge difference. I can imagine for someone as advanced as you, explaining these things can probably be a little annoying, but it is high appreciated.

[@davidfuller581]

Man I'm just happy that you didn't explain attack time as pre-delay - because attack and release are how fast the "fader" "moves", not how quick it "starts moving". I would have also touched on how attack and release times affect the spectral qualities - faster attack/release are brighter (faster attack cuts low end, faster release adds harmonic content).

[@nathanrice6589]

OMG!!! Finally someone makes a compression tutorial USING GOD DAMN DRUMS INSTEAD OF VOCALS!!! Seriously, go and search for compression tutorials and 90% of the assholes are using vocals. But I’m not done there, without a doubt this is the best explanation on the subject of compression. It’s a dark arts for many newcomers and I have understood it for quite a while now but for a long time I had no fucking clue what I was doing! If you would have made this video five years ago I would have gotten where I am now a hell of a lot sooner. You won a donation of money for me brother

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Thanks very much, Nathan!

[@nathanrice6589]

SpectreSoundStudios can you point me to a donation page? Do you have a patreon account ?

[@EndlessMeece]

Just found this channel yesterday. The amount of information contained here is unprecedented. Subbed 1,000 times over. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Welcome aboard!

[@TheUTubeAlias]

Great video to make compression less mysterious. Maybe the best I've seen in making it understandable. It has its benefits looking through all your old material.

[@troystrain2436]

I feel like this is the first time I've ever understood compression, so I'll test it out when I get home to make sure I actually do. Thanks, Glenn!

[@ericdufort5648]

This is a great tutorial, in an era where you could do awesome stuff in the comfort of your home with only a few pieces of gear, this is priceless. Thx and hello from Montreal. I've only been into the recording/post-production thing for 4-5 years, learned stuff the hard way (hahaha) and this tutorial is truly a blessing.

[@malengine_music]

Super useful info here. I've been recording my own stuff for decades and concepts like this still elude me. It's probably going to take me another 20 videos on compression to actually do something useful with it. I get the overall concept, but there's nuance to the adjustment that is going to take a lot more education.

[@TheSlayerswe]

Very informative. Nice to see a tutorial explaining the basics of how things work so you can actually utilize the tool correctly.

[@jphi1000]

No one has EVER been able to explain compression to me. I know I'm a bass player, but instead of using jargon you used simple terms and now I understand what compression is and HOW it is used. I've got some tracks I'm looking forward to trying some compression on now. Thanks!

[@julianwest4030]

Wow! I already knew how to use a compressor, but I never would've thought about slowing down the attack time on drums like that. I'm glad I checked it out. I can't wait to hear you talk about the different types of compressors!

[@tonynoon8693]

Great video Glenn. I am a video guy (I produce local access television shows in the states), and I have always had a tough time wrapping my head around compression. The compressor you used really helped me visualize how it works and what it is doing. Right now in Premier, we use a multiband compressor to adjust our audio, but we only use that because it has a brick wall limiter and then we bring our volume up to compress all of the audio. (This is mostly for talk show type programs). I would love to see how you process your audio for your KZbin videos. I suspect I could learn a lot in a video like that.

[@OdysseusPI]

Thanks Glenn, I've been doing live sound for a few years and I've been trying to get my head around the ratio settings for years. I've tended to just leave it on whatever the default (usually about 3.5) because I just couldn't quite get it. Your tutorial was at just the right level to clarify what's going on!

[@OdysseusPI]

... and you've given me some great ideas for cleaning up the drums in my live mixes!

[@Bassclefderreck]

This is exactly what we bass players need. Thanks for starting this!

[@expedidor]

I keep coming back to this video. Thanks for putting it up!

[@manicmurph]

I've watched a bunch of videos on compression but leave it to Glenn to explain it to where I would be able to understand it. I get it now!!!

[@rayhengeveldmusic636]

I started watching your videos only a little while ago, and I've got to say... You have helped me out a lot with understanding what I'm doing wrong and right. Keep up the frickin good work.

[@williamklimek9676]

I appreciate you Glenn for the knowledgeable guy you are, and you really know your stuff. Thanks for giving generously of your time too. We make lots of stupid mistakes and it is awesome to have a reliable reference readily available.

[@patlampo9288]

Thank you for the “straight story” on what the compressor really does😀👌

[@RockyOwl]

As an audio guy who is thinking about doing his own studio soon . . . it's nice to get a refresher on some things. I've been mostly dealing with vocal works like podcasts and stuff that didn't really need compression in the eyes of the producers. Again, it's nice to get a refresher.

[@IanHolwood]

Great video. Having the visuals and print outs is super helpful to understand just what a compressor is doing. Thanks!

[@Dimster6666]

Only just discovered your channel. Been watching as much for entertainment value as info ... I have a Behringer Compressor/Sustain pedal I've had for years but not quite sure what to do with it until now - this has explained a lot and clear with the graphics much easier to follow. :)

[@Oldcrack3r]

Thanks for all of the amazing content Glenn. It is appreciated more than you know. Between you and Warren there is a treasure trove of free knowledge to be had. Just wanted to let you know.

[@slavesforging5361]

Best explanation of Basic Compression EVER! the visualizations really helped it. great idea using that particular plugin! who would've thought it?... Glen's a great teacher! well done sir!

[@Artec619]

Wow, just adjusting the attack knob on different elements of a project I started recently made a huge difference. Thanks Glenn!

[@MetalLife24-7]

Thank you Glenn, i appreciate your videos, ive learned more this past year watching SMG than i have talking to any musicians in my city. Keep up the good work and i hope you continue to get viewers. Some people should really look into the channel.

[@Complicaadd0rock]

Thank you so much Glenn, like someone said before, I enjoy all of your content but this has been one of the most useful for me. :) Thank you again, I hope you're doing great and staying safe and sound!!!

[@ProjektBurn]

Please more of these. I'm trying to explain these to a band mate and this helps considerably. Thank you!

[@antonquintus578]

This video is great! Thanks for taking the time for a nice, thorough explanation of compression! I'm sure I'll be watching this video many times and sharing it with my friends.

[@danpelzel9370]

Dude I have been fucking around with home recording and demos and have always just relied on presets. I feel like I have a much better understanding! MORE OF THIS STUFF!!!!! You explained it so clearly a bass player can figure it out!

[@marxisthive]

great guy! "a compressor is basically a fast volume knob" - this bought me, everything was clear on after that point. Thanks a lot!

[@wrathVchild]

I just randomly found you on accident. I love your style, I love the way you are constantly yelling and building up the tension like we are all idiots, then your voice falls and you totally relate to and console us. haha! It's an amazing style that I think you might do it on accident? I bet working with you is a nightmare, but I love your videos and your energy. Thanks again! Cheers!

[@AnWyMyles]

Been watching your videos for a month mow & damn you are really giving us home recorders bang for the buck! I've learned more this past month than the 10+ years I've been trying to learn recording stuff... Ah well, glad you exist :)

[@sski]

Eggscellent video. You made it absolutely understandable. I think the visual aids really help too. I've tried to explain how comps work to people and get the derp look in return. They need to SEE what they are listening to. Thanks Glenn!

[@GoodCarpet]

Thanks for introducing me to this plugin! I've never fully understood compression so I've been using presets in my mixes and seeing what I liked best, but now I feel like I could learn more from this

[@Inhumanform]

Thanks as always. You give the best explanations, scientific yet fun at the same time.

[@taopagan]

I love learning about the fundamentals! Looking closely at basic ideas - even if someone's not a beginner - seems to be part of how many new discoveries happen, too. I really find your take on things helpful. Your explanations are uncluttered and easy to understand. Thanks!

[@jonnyreid7823]

I’m reaaaaaally looking forward to next weeks video. This was great and I absolutely love my FG-Stress. Thanks Glen!

[@bbrinser]

The best explanation of compression I have seen yet. Thanks

[@woodward_alan]

Love this! Thanks for walking through this and looking forward to tuning in for more.

[@Tsudkyk]

These videos have improved my recording quality significantly! I didn’t realize my ignorance until I started experimenting with these techniques and refining my recording methods. 🤘🤘🤘 I appreciate the aggressive aspect of some of these lessons, it’s easy to remember information when it’s screamed at you 😂