Do you think you know EVERYTHING about COMPRESSORS? .....

Do you think you know EVERYTHING about COMPRESSORS? Give me a few minutes of your time and I'll expand that knowledge.
Compressors are one of the most versatile and down-right useful pieces of music gear out there, and they're also one of the most misunderstood. In this series of videos, I'm going to share with you some of the secrets of compressors and explain the magic of compression and limiting - I guarantee some of these you didn't know!
We'll not discuss only the how? - but the WHY? Why compressors can impact your sounds and mixes so much, WHY you should compress parts of your audio - And WHY certain legendary designs seem to be converted into plugins every single week!.
Ever wondered when you should use a Shadow Hills Mastering compressor? Was Deadmau5 right about the SSL compressor and EDM Kicks? What’s the difference between a UAD 1176, an LA-2A and Fabfilter C-2 and when do you use each of these? What is Parallel compression? What does the compressor's Threshold, Ratio, Attack & Release [actually] do?
We'll get to all of these questions in this series and more.
This 1st video covers the beginning of the history of compression, and by the end, you'll understand why the valve era of the Fairchilds was so vitally important - You'll know your 1176s from your LA2A, you'll know your FET from your OPTOs and FF from your Feedback circuits. And you'll understand all the fundamentals of compression by revisiting your teenage bedroom, it's stereo and annoying your parents.
One correction already pointed out here - Many of the Early designs were in fact Feedback compressor designs.
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You can now use TRAX instruments to make sample packs
It's with great pride we announce that effective from June 1, 2023, all F9 playable instruments and kits have been granted license for usage in the development of audio loops. These loops can be included in commercial sample packs designed for your personal use, your individual sampler store, or for third-party platforms such as Loopcloud, Splice, Arcade, NI sounds and more. There's only one restriction to bear in mind: the midi. When creating for these releases, you must compose original musical or rhythmic parts and avoid using any midi or musical motifs from this or any other F9 release.
This updated licensing term now encompasses stem creation and "track-outs," which are frequently seen in beat marketplaces. It also applies to ghost production and collaborative projects. Our goal is to provide you with even greater flexibility and creative potential in your music production endeavours.
To read more about this exciting development, follow this link: www.f9-audio.com/pages/license.
#compressor #audiocompression #audioproduction #mixingtutorials #compressionexplained #UA1176 #uad1176 #la-2acompressor #fairchild670 #shadow hills mastering compressor #ssl compressor #vintage compressor #ozone compressor #waves compressor #compressor attack and release #compressor threshold #mastering compression #mastering limiter #compressor shootout #compress vocals #compress snare #compressor bass #bass compression #parallel compression #bus compression #drum

[@DodgaOfficial]

I think learning compression has been the single one biggest gain in my music production journey. Between the harmonics and the ability to get things to sit in the mix and be glued together, compression is such an amazing technology that can really give you mixes that professional feel and sound.

[@F9Audio]

Hopefully we'll bring it all into even more clarity as we go through this Daniel ... Next up - VCAs, Diode Bridges and and a little known technique called PWM compression

[@rajeshmirage]

Mate your approach to educating is really inspirational… the fact that you share your wisdom and knowledge for free is the icing on the cake. ❤

[@F9Audio]

That's ever so kind to say ... So many topics in audio are vital and we love KZbin for removing access barriers to this kind of sharing. I've had my time and if we can help the community out here, then that's an excellent use of our space.. all the best for your production this year Rajesh

[@velanche]

I feel we’ve had enough correspondence for me to know that you don’t just make great products with passion, but your genuine desire to freely share your extensive knowledge of music production in ways that people can understand shines. You know I’ll keep watching and learning, and I will certainly tell others to give F9 a listen. Thank you again, James; you’re an inspiration.

[@sickassbeats]

What a lovely comment ❤

[@F9Audio]

Than you V - this means an awful lot ... It was always the idea of F9 and I feel so fortunate to have used so much of the brilliant music gear we all know and love over the years .. I'm hoping to wrap all of this up into a practical video at the end bringing all the points together with a ton of workflow ideas ... I must admit - I love all this as much ( and probably way more ) as I did when I first walked into a studio .. All the best from my family to yours this evening.

[@GeorgeMichaelTribute]

James Wiltshire’s voice and his demonstrations are like his F9 plug-ins and sample packs. Absolutely amazing 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 You’re truly George Michael Tribute ~ James Bermingham

[@F9Audio]

Thank you George - That's ever so kind ...

[@AutoclaveBeats]

This is the most enjoyable history video on gear I have ever watched....you have a unique way of sharing information that's straight to the point and not boring...thank you...

[@F9Audio]

I'm so pleased to hear this ... We really wanted to make this series entertaining as so much surrounding this topic ether becomes way too surface level and doesn't cover the much needed explanations of "why' or devolves into elitest technicality which I've always felt is just one-upmanship ( or showing off as it's sometimes known ) ... it's taken me over 20 years to fully understand compression and it's only been the last 10 I've fully understood everything and that's come from learning about it's history ... Hoping to impart as much of that as possible in this series

[@ErickT_MX]

One of the best dance music educators right here.... HANDS DOWN...

[@andrewferguson2727]

Finally! I understand how compression works Thank you! Perfect explanation

[@arvindbeeharry8214]

Hi James, I'm the one who actually sold you the Hand Crafted Labs Solution Stereo Tube Compressor back in 2012. Glad to see you're giving it props on here! Keep up the great work. Regards Arvind

[@F9Audio]

Oh Brillant - I love that box . So glad to see those guys doing so well now - the SX pro connection has been amazing for them

[@realmusic4you]

Excellent presentation. Thanks, James For this Enlightening thorough Explanation about compressors. F9 The Best!

[@F9Audio]

So glad it's useful ... It's a fascinating topic and one that gets quite personal later on as we all respond to music quite differently and that needs to be taking into account when we work, but it's vital we go through the developments that got us here first as they've have an enormous effect on the current landscape of options we have in terms of plugins ... I hope we can keep the rest of the videos just as interetsing, if not more !

[@djrandalldean]

you should have 100x the number of followers. Not only are you explaining compression better than any, you're simultaneously teaching me about almost every plugin I have and the settings I've ignored out of simple ignorance. For once ignorance is not bliss. Your channel is.

[@TimBunch]

Loved this bit of history on compressors. Looking forward to the next video in the series!

[@maxuno8524]

Shared this with my other mixing buddies. Encouraging them to take this journey with me

[@p0dlyryszard]

17:46 “Someone had a *bright* idea…” I see what you did there 😊

[@F9Audio]

Ooooo - you just made me look smarter than i was trying to be ... Hadn't even clocked that myself - brilliant ;)

[@user-pf3ev4ws7u]

I will not exaggerate if I say that James is worth 10 popular channels of this kind. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you for the very kind comment - Currently editing part 2!

[@justincase6365]

I can't get enough of your videos, the way you explain things with dedicated examples is 2nd to none, if I ever get down to Brighton the first beer is on me :)

[@F9Audio]

Wow, thank you Paul - really makes me happy to see this as we're not trying the play the YT algorithm in any manner, just get great information out there ... VCA and Diode bridge compressors next - as well as a design using PWM !!

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

Thank you for filling in these important historical gaps. It’s easy to take things for granted when we don’t know the history.

[@AutPen38]

It continues to blow my mind that CBS and RCA started using the LA-2A in 1965 so that their radio and TV stations had "levelled" volumes that made them sound louder than their rivals when you changed channels (an early example of the loudness war) and Kurt Cobain screamed all the vocals on 'Nevermind' into an LA-2A twenty-five years later... and thirty years after that, people like me can download a digital version for free (e.g. the one by Analog Obsession) and run 20 or more of them simultaneously on tracks that will likely never get played on radio! It's bizarre how an ancient device to reduce peaks for American TV/radio broadcasts over 55 years ago is still being used creatively today.

[@F9Audio]

It's quite bizarre isnt it ? ... Also such an incredibly simple design controlled by a light panel and resistor using the photoelectric effect discovered by Mr Heinrich Hertz ...Two main controls making it one of the simplest to operate and without doubt one of the best sounding devices in it's class ... Music technology is littered with these examples and it seems we always do the same a species - Clean everything up , digitise it then look behind us and think 'Hang on - lets give that old stuff a try" and then realise we had it right the 1st time ... I always think of JJ Abrams 1st Star Wars reboot as a visual example .. 3 bizarrely clean looking prequels from George Lucas before Disney and he took over and then he reverted to shooting on 35mm film for a lot of the outside shots and suddenly it looked right again thanks to the grain .. There's a lesson for us all here and can quote Nelle Hooper - ' A bit of dirt never hurts' ... long live the imperfect sound we all some how crave

[@daneasy1983]

Class as ever. Cheers James 👍🏻🙂

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Dan - this will all culminate in a practical video for modern plugins and technique that will reference all of these previous videos.

[@alessiorossi]

Never stop learning… thanks James! 👏👏👏

[@F9Audio]

Exactly Ale - it's a vital part of being alive i reckon .. all the best from us here

[@AJL200]

Best explanation of anything. Anywhere. Ever. And of compression :-) Thank you

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Andy - very kind indeed

[@BihlerOfficial]

One of the best videos about compression. So good!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you ! ... Hopefully we can keep the quality and interest up with Parts 2 and 3

[@srgzbltch2249]

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you - really looking forward to the next couple as it gets facinating the moment a bunch of clever people in Oxford decided to put a stereo compressor bang-slap in the middle of their new mixing desk in the late 70s

[@eXpas04]

This is sooo cool! Thank you for these video!

[@weststarr2046]

This is the MOST BEAUTIFUL & complete experience about compresor's tutorial. THANKS a LOT for sharing that knowledge in a way nobody does💯!!! Bless.

[@bensoko_]

I’m actually very surprised at how informative and helpful this video was in understanding compression. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Ben - Had excellent reactions on this one and already researching part 2

[@bensoko_]

@@F9Audio awesome! I actually thought you were going to talk about part 2 in the video and then it ended 😭 but can’t wait for it!

[@Obsessioncardetailing]

Thanks so much for making this video! Saad

[@Oxsasuna]

I love it, thanks for this, can’t wait til the next one.

[@WaldemarBurg]

Love you, James! You are a torch of wisdom for me as a starting producer!

[@kelvinkadawati3303]

Wow!! So much wisdom in this video, i now have a better understanding of how compressors work. Looking forward to Part 2

[@biochill]

I’m currently studying audio mixing in a remote study. This video (and hopefully the follow-up videos) provides very useful background information, much better than reading stuff. Thanks!

[@Faraday100]

Your approach to starting with the basics and including the technology's history to provide context is terrific. It is interesting and gives us a solid foundation to actually understand compression, not just twiddle dials.

[@MikeRenouf]

This is gold. Thanks for the history lesson and the insight. 🔥

[@shanedemorais7397]

You had me at valve (not tube)!! LOL

[@whitty23]

Amazing knowledge as always James! Thank you so much for answering the 'why' question. I agree, most other videos I've seen only look at how to use them, which is still useful. BUT, without knowing why you use one can make deciding on which type of compressor much harder. I'm looking forward to the next instalment. 😉

[@F9Audio]

So glad it was helpful! .. Yes I'm hoping to do one more on history and then head into the practical modern view of our options ... We can then reference all the 'Why" points for certain devices and hopefully get to the tricks and fun stuff

[@alanlockwood849]

Very good exposition on compression and thank you for using the terms of speed and not time.

[@GRedit1000]

Thanx for this great and insightful video. Also I applaud the missing of jump cut madness.

[@thesearethesuns]

This video is so well done. Thank you for taking the time to make it! Very informative. You are a great teacher!

[@F9Audio]

You are very welcome - Just recorded part 2

[@tlight901]

My goodness that was impressive. Thank you. 👍

[@churchlesssociety]

I love your Videos and love even more your sound banks from F9 Audio site. Thank you so much for everything you do, God bless your and your family.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Sir for such a. warm-hearted comment - And the very best to you for your creative and personal endeavours in 2023 . Big Love from F9

[@strangerting7818]

🔥Thank you James! Looking forward to part 2

[@F9Audio]

Will get it made as soon as humanly possible - little bit of a backlog going on at the moment, but we'll get there

[@Moruial]

This video just pop up on my feed and it absolutly awesome! Very educational. Well done good sir, I'll wait for what comes next!

[@stevecolley7745]

I literally know now when, how and why to use a compressor. Mate the visual example given with the fader is genius. Thank you so much.

[@F9Audio]

Excellent Steve - there's much more coming - We're just about to get into the land of the VCA Bus Compressor !!

[@AutPen38]

Just remember that you can usually get away with a low ratio and minimal gain reduction when your mum tells you to turn your music down, but if you hear your step-dad storming up the stairs you need instant attack and a very high ratio. ;)

[@MikeDenzler]

Awesome! Very informative and well-explained. Can't wait for Part 2!

[@F9Audio]

Coming soon!

[@prod.lyelye]

Absolutely outstanding video! 👏🏻

[@F9Audio]

Thank you very much! .. I think this series will be a bit of a labour of love - I've been very lucky to have used so many of the devices we'll cover here

[@simonirvine6965]

Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge In such an engaging presentation. Getting an insight on why compressors were invented and how they have involved makes it a lot clearer on their application. Can’t wait for part 2.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Simon - Yes it's easy to forget that nearly everything has a long and evolving history behind it and that's nearly always the case with audio processing - great thing is now we get access to all that history and development from the comfort of our own homes and studios

[@raybeeger1529]

Very informative and great presentation! The best history for compressors technology I've ever watched.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Ray .... Into the land of VCAs, Diode Bridges and and a little known technique called PWM compression next !

[@calvinbotha4859]

This was incredibly well done! Amazing!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Calvin - Hope you're having a great start to 2023

[@pedroahets]

This video is soo gooood, thank you!

[@philippgrunert8776]

Really looking forward too the next episode

[@F9Audio]

Me too Phillipp - The response here has been amazing this afternoon

[@slawomirbialecki2275]

amazing, thank you !

[@joeyf808]

Thanks James, awesome explanation.

[@F9Audio]

Thanks Joey - More coming - next time we'll be into the VCA compressor era and beyond ...

[@p0dlyryszard]

So much valuable info packed into this one. I start to see that I’ve been underestimating the value of learning history. Thanks for opening my eyes to this

[@F9Audio]

A very good point - It's very natural to take everything at the face value that it arrives with ... I've always found that curiosity to the paths that got us here makes everything so terribly easy to understand ... I'll try and cover as much as possible in part 2 and then wrap it all up in very practical advice in part 3 where it's all about using the plugins we know and love that are based on this history

[@jeffc.7592]

Thanks James, really insightful! 😊

[@F9Audio]

A pleasure Jeff - really looking forward to the next few in the series now - response has been amazing

[@viy4616]

This is brilliant. I learnt audio in terms of functionality, i.e. "use this to get this result" with no regards to the history or actual technology that makes those things work. Thank you for making this video!

[@zumut141]

Thsi man is the reason why i OWN everything F9 put out. You know it´s quality thruout. And listening to him giving all this information to us, is like being a apostel following Jesus ( Sorry for my english )...

[@muchomacho79]

OMG I want part 2 now! Subscribed.

[@F9Audio]

It's gonna get good - VCA, Diode Bridge compressors and the close cousins - limiters coming up next !

[@davidmarkpearce1057]

When's the next one? This is absolutely brilliant! I am an experienced engineer and hats off to the patient, methodical way that you explained all of this!! Bravo!!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Dave - Soon as we can sir .. just plate juggling a bit this month

[@JohnSmith-pn2vl]

omg this is wonderful, absolute banger content

[@F9Audio]

Thank you John .. been a real favourite this one !!

[@pascalcollins1508]

The perfect analogy doesn't exi-

[@djcata7474]

oH noooo. Not the mum compressor analogy! Oh well... Love your work, James :)

[@johnghadimi]

This was fantastic. Thank you :)

[@F9Audio]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Part 2 is coming very soon

[@nichttuntun3364]

Your non-BS channel is a delight. I learned very interesting things a bit more indepths. Thank you. I do also think, you have an excellent taste for hoodies! 🤗

[@F9Audio]

Ever so glad to hear this - Yes love Pulsar modular - the 1st video it was on because it was freezing that week cycling in, but now I feel it might have to be a thing for the series ..

[@dazza42UK]

Love it. Really great.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you! .. You're up early on a Sunday ! ( me too as you can see - thats having a 6 year old in the house for you ) ... All the best for your music this year ... more coming on this topic !

[@jesusolaizolairazusta7751]

WOW! Very interesting and nice explanation 👏🏻

[@F9Audio]

Thank you! 😃 ... .more to come and this will eventually wrap up in a practical video covering use of plugins and techniques for moderm workflows ... All the best from F9 this morning !

[@jdtorian]

You are a gem.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you sir ... more to come on this fascinating topic

[@AVDRE]

Fantastic video! Very interesting stuff

[@F9Audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@makeaguitarnoise]

Great video. Really informative.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you! ... More to come on all this

[@Theme_Park_360]

Thanks a lot ! It's so interesting and so well explained. Thank you.

[@F9Audio]

Glad you liked it!

[@Left2See]

Good stuff

[@DICARLOPRODUCTIONS]

AMAZING!!!! Lots of information in this video that I never knew. A real learning experience in the history of compression. Have you done Part 2, or is it coming? I will definitely be back for that, and also to view some of your other interesting videos. Great channel!!!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you ! .... I'm always balancing the F9 product release work with these vids, but part 2 is all recorded - just got some graphics to finish and edit .. will get it out as soon as possible

[@3enniTee]

Absolutely brilliant! Subbed. 👍🏻

[@F9Audio]

Thank you my friend .. and welcome to F9 !! ... VCA, Diode Bridge comps, Limiters and some little diversions like PWM compressors next before we round it all off with a practical video on how we can bring it all together inside our modern workflows ..

[@efnerva664]

This was really interesting and enjoyable to watch. Great title as well, felt like a challenge, so I had to click on it :D

[@F9Audio]

Thank you ! ... More coming on this - Just about to get into the. VCA, Diode Bridge and oddities like PWM compressors - then we're onto digital

[@djflipside33]

This is dope!! Great job!!!

[@F9Audio]

Thank you !! ... More coming - been a fascinating ride researching - I had no idea PWM compression was even a thing - This and more when the VCA's get involved in part 2 ( just editing this week.

[@gooneybird808]

That was awesome thank you! I didn’t know ableton had that feedback compressor option.

[@F9Audio]

It’s actually a rack I made with an old compressor inside ( hence the upgrade button ) .. would you like a copy ?

[@SpeccyMan]

Finally. An explanation for the why as well as the how. Nice one James. Been waiting for this one. 👍 Has the variable Mu got anything to do with The KLF? 😉🤣

[@F9Audio]

Brilliant - The Ancients of Mu MU

[@millenniumbaby1054]

Great Video 👍

[@F9Audio]

Thanks 👍

[@TheBelse]

I like Neve for harmonic distortion ....I'm a psych head ..you get more colours on the sidebands of the signals. Big love.

[@JLedet]

Great information! Really like the way you explained everything. When does part 2 come out?

[@F9Audio]

All recorded - got the graphics and edit to sort out now... soon as we can but always juggling the product releases too

[@studiobotz]

@@F9Audio looking forward to it!

[@fredfox3851]

Before...Oh no. Not another boring video about compression. Now....When the hell is part two coming out? Nicely done! Subscribed.

[@F9Audio]

Thank you Fred ... I know what you mean and we always try and stay away from the YT tut cliches

[@georgerivera7193]

You literally made the best ever video on compression of all time. Nobody’s going make another compression video. I wish I had a teacher like you in high school.😂 Thank you so much.

[@F9Audio]

Wow, thank you!

[@djchemie]

Thanks for the video. Looking forward the upcoming series. On my MPC Software, there are bunch of instruments, sample packs etc. *including F9 products from you* often times comes with built in compressed. I always wondered if I should compress the tracks I made with these. I have to admit I don't know much about mixing and mastering so this question maybe very silly...

[@F9Audio]

Great Question - I always try to keep the compression to a minimum unless its for effect on the MPC Patches, Compression of mixes can really help when lots of parts come together and I hope I've set the Keygroup patches up so there wont be too much intermodulation so I wouldn't worry and just experiment ... Only thing I would say is you often have to be careful of subgrouping things, applying compression there and then again at the master - in my experience it's best to have compression dynamics only on one buss in the chain ( I would always suggest though that you take all advice to do with compression as advice - your ears are unique and so is your internal timing so it's always best to find your own sweet spot in all this ) ... Most of all - Try, Fail, Re-adjust and repeat - Iteration and correction are the paths to victory in every discipline !

[@djchemie]

@@F9Audio Thanks for the quick reply! Yes, often times I end up using compression either on tracks themselves or not use it all. Because applying to the whole "sequence" (MPC users know what it is) usually make it sounds very bad (to my ears at least). But of course, when I watch KZbin tutorials like you said there is all sorts of ideas or suggestions. But your feedback is probably that matters most. Those people usually are Ableton or FL Studio users which they have different tools than I do on my MPC Software. Thanks!

[@aevanelstprojects8926]

Wow, thank you for you clear way of explaining! I love your 'Why?' instead of 'How' approach! As a piano teacher I do the same with, for instance, scales.

[@F9Audio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aevanelstprojects8926]

@@F9Audio It sure is! It's wonderful to have a deep understanding of this topic so again, thank you!

[@pulsarmodular]

Cool looking hoodie

[@F9Audio]

Ha ha ... Yes it's from this excellent boutique plug-in developer that keep on smashing the glass ceiling between analog and digital - the only time I've ever had a free physical gift from such a purchase and it;s immensely warm ( very cold in the UK and I cycle into the studio at 5Am so came in V handy ) ... Can't wait for your synth releases !

[@BILLY-px3hw]

All along I thought it was called a Vari-Moo because it regulated audio like the milk squeezed from a cow's udder. Hmmmm thanks for straightening that out, great content!

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Your impression of a 90’s teen was spot on! 😂

[@F9Audio]

I had a giggle adding that

[@Motorrad-Tourenfahrer]

What an incredible amount of knowledge in detail. Thanks for sharing, it is so interesting! Are there videos on youtube available where it is possible to listen to these compressors?

[@F9Audio]

Yes they are pretty much all covered here ( in terms of hardware ) but you will have to filter out the bad ones ... Eventually we'll look at the modern plugin versions of all these as the vintage units are just extraordinarily expensive and rare now and although still fascinating - I want to concentrate on why and when it's a good idea to use the various types of compressors / Limiters.

[@dylanhughes4548]

Great stuff - excited for the next part. I recently bought an Audioscape Opto and in blind shootouts on raw vocals with the UAD plug it won 100% of the time, the difference was actually really surprising to the point you would make different musical/mix decisions. Kinda off topic but I found it interesting!

[@F9Audio]

This doesn't surprise me Dylan - There's a forward push on these old circuits that just comes from components of thsi quality and the infinite resolution of analog that very hard to capture in digital audio ... By All account time-domain processing is the hardest to get right in DSP ... Have you ever come across the Acustica Audio Plug ins - these have always been the closest for me in terms of compression 'feeling'

[@dylanhughes4548]

I have seen people say the Tim Petherick stuff in Nebula is the closest they have heard but the barrier for entry was too high for me to bother testing them and with the Opto going for £900 I just went for it. So so glad I did, resisted hardware for a long time. Not good for the wallet though, got my eye on the Silver Bullet Mk2 with an Audioscape bus comp to complete my little hybrid setup.

[@manciomusic1232]

Pulsar Modular user, of course!

[@F9Audio]

Yes LOVE whats coming out PM - Can't wait for the synths to start either !

[@aufsesserpremium]

Nice work, just some errors at 8.10 -9.00...Vacuum Tubes are heated constantly, the heated cathode is essential for any current in the first place, otherwise the needed voltage would be in the 10000 volt range. So you get a current between the cathode and the anode plate (what would make a diode), to control the current there is a grid between (in a Triode)...cause electrones push back each other, a more or less negative control (and bias) grid voltage against the cathode regulates the current. That is NOT slow, Tubes are still used in high frequency transmitters, there is no control via heat. Tubes are non linear devices as any other amplifying devices like transistors, a standard transistor is even more nonlinear in terms of "ugly" distortion, a FET is more like a tube with not the crinkle in the current curve like a BJT (Bipolar Transistor). Low distortion is achieved via negative feedback loops (~ 180 degree phase from output to input to ~ nullify the distortion...) in audio amplifiers, it does not matter if tubes ore BJT. Otherwise the distortion level would be like a fuzz in any standard Class A/B ...

[@F9Audio]

Thank you for the excelletn technical info and explanation - I shall be more accurate in future .... Lets rethink the line to discuss that early Valve units responded slowly compared to later tranistor based units

[@ErikEkholm]

Im a professional full time composer and music producer for well over 13 years now, and I’ve been making and producing music since my teens, but this video still taught me lots 👌👌

[@F9Audio]

Excellent to read this tonight Erik .. I hope parts 2 and 3 can live up to this 1st one ...

[@supercompooper]

The Federal Reserve wants to compress inflation 😜

[@conholster]

Good video, one thing that bothers me though. AFAIK compression is only applied to signal that goes over the threshold, or am I wrong? I subscribed, can't wait for the next part!

[@F9Audio]

Absolutely - this is a top down view and just to introduce the terminology with an amusing analogy - just recorded part 2 and we’re getting into detail now .. In my experience people don’t learn a complex subject when everything comes at once but by the end of this series we’ll have it all covered in glorious Technicolor - just want to hammer home that we are changing volume downwards with compression 1st

[@jonnyidle]

Does Vari-mu effectively work the same as a slow knee on a VCA? Thanks for all the videos and your constant effort to help the community, you are the best. 👍🏻

[@F9Audio]

Great question - Yes but with no set ratio - a soft knee will top out with the ratio as set by the controls or circuit, whilst Variable Mu ( I must remember Vari-Mu is actually copyright of Manley ) has a constantly variable ratio dependent on level

[@jonnyidle]

@@F9Audio Ahh ok, thanks for clearing that up mate. God bless you

[@antonionevone7320]

TBH it was almost all info i already knew, but very well put in an engaging, clear fashion, without sacrificing on the depth of information. This is such a GREAT video, wish I could have watched something like this 10 years ago. Thank you for the amazing job. INSTANT SUBSCRIBE.

[@allmetaliswelcome]

The 1176 isn't the first feedback design. At all. As far as i know pretty much every compressor before VCAs were introduced were feedback because of how much harder it is to design a feedforward circuit. Fairchilds are feedback, STA-LEVELs are feedback, LA2As are feedback. In a feedback circuit the signal that's being compressed steers the compression, and in doing so keeps itself in check. A feedforward compressor on the other hand needs to calculate how much gain reduction it has to do based on how the way you set it, which requires a more complex circuit. This was impossible before VCAs, from what i know. I'm no expert either but there is some erroneous information here

[@F9Audio]

Thanks for the update - I'll correct this in the next video !

[@KitKalvert]

Thanks for taking time to do the video James! May I briefly ask; would it be ok for me to run my DAW at 96K sample rate using Kontakt Libraries? Namingly F9. I know you recommend 48k for them, but I was wondering besides GPU hit, would there be ANY negative effects to the sample quality is my main concern? (a positive effect would be a mere bonus)

[@F9Audio]

Work at whatever frequency you wish to Kit .. if it sounds great - it is great .. as you say just be aware your processing power will be halved and your Audio file size will be double or more .. I actually run at 44.1 - have done for ever unless it a film or TV but honestly a it’s completely personal as a choice

[@KitKalvert]

@@F9Audio Thanks James, appreciate it!

[@Mattyuk1]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong on pro logic x. I use a compressor to turn my vocals up but they sound too loud through the car stereo, or too low when I re-make them.

[@F9Audio]

Drop me an email at [e-mail] I’m pretty sure you need to use references with your setup - you may also have monitoring issues .. zap me a link to listen if you can too

[@TheProducerTutor]

Brilliant content. Loved it! The compression analogy doesn’t work unfortunately, as it only acts on signal that exceeds the threshold. But the historical content is beautifully done and well presented.

[@F9Audio]

Don''t worry Sam - we'll drill down on the details and technical specifics of compression in later videos ... In my experience people only truly understand complex issues like this when it's explained in lumps increasing of granularity ( a bit like the old 1990s internet GIFS that used to slowly increase in resolution ) and this 1st video is very much top-down view .. The trouble with nearly all the teaching on this subject I researched for this series is that it bombards people with all the technicalities at once making it immensely hard to grasp as an over-arching concept .. It may seem simple for anyone who's fully grasped it, but coming in cold is enormously difficult when confronted with mathematical ratios, Thresholds ( that appear on some comps, not on others ) and attributes like attack, and release that are suddenly in a totally different context to the terms people may have taken time to learn from synths ( As one person once asked me - why does turning up the attack to a higher value on a compressor lead to a punchier sound when doing the same on a synth makes a softer sound? - An excellent point! - Then you see that the volume changes involved are the inverse of each other ) ... You are absolutely right on the specifics of compression obviously, but the analogy is a way of introducing the terms used.

[@TheProducerTutor]

@@F9Audio I agree fully. As an educator and former classroom practitioner I get infuriated by the swathes of poorly constructed, and at times misleading, content on such subjects. Looking forward to seeing how you develop the topic in the coming parts. 👍

[@TheBelse]

The original Fairchild is the type of thing you could find in an electronics junk bin ..you'd never know ..unless you know.

[@marktywharton]

hmmm .. to really get this you have to remember when that compressor came out they were using mixing desks with less channels than I have fingers on one hand .. but what I really want to know is how you know I’m being a belligerent teenager .. I’m sixty and my seventeen year old is more likely to tell me to shut up :/)

[@F9Audio]

Just my best guest Mark - nothing wrong with Gilbert Grape way of operating .. I intend to start reverting to type in the coming years