How to use a one knob compressor

Yet another viewer-requested video! Some compact mixers such as the Yamaha MG and Mackie ProFXv2 series have single-knob compressors on some or all of their mono channels. Whilst lacking the control and metering of stand alone hardware compressors, these simple devices can be surprisingly effective at raising the average level of any signal. This video explains how compression works and then applies those concepts to the set up and operation of the single knob compressor.
This video was recorded with the Automatic Gain Control (a form of compression) on the camera turned off so you will notice quite a bit of variation in the level of my voice, which only goes to show how important a tool compression is, and how accustomed we have become to hearing it.
These techniques can also be applied to one-knob compressors found on guitar pedals and multi-effects units.
Bookmarks for video:
0:00 Intro
0:12 Equipment overview
01:03 Controls on a typical outboard compressor
01:42 Understanding compression Ratio and Threshold
04:48 What compression actually does to your signal
07:18 Application to one-knob compressors
10:10 How do you set a one-knob compressor?
Support GLB Productions: www.patreon.com/glbproduction...
Ways to get in touch - I love hearing from my viewers!
Facebook: / glbproductions

[@joelevi8531]

Thank you for this video! As payment I will leave you with a sound guy joke. "Did you hear about the band that had a Ukrainian sound guy? They had a Czech one too. ... Czech, one too."

[@GLBProductions]

Nice one Joe 👍🏻

[@prodj.mixapeofficial6431]

damn it i laughed.

[@samuelandrade3117]

Huahhsuhshhsuhahaihajau eu ri alto

[@P4boot]

Lmaooo

[@robfriedrich2822]

When Moscow has heavy traffic on the streets it's the Russian hour.

[@alsacrime4806]

It is an art to convey information clearly and concisely, neither oversimplifying/condescending nor being overly technical/babbling. This is called elegance. Thank you.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome! Thank you for your appreciation :)

[@johnsomebody1753]

Ooooh, a techy explanation that doesn't leave me more confused than before I watched it. Big thanks and big :)

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@peoplelikeus123]

This is the best explanation of compression I've seen. 10/10 :)

[@GLBProductions]

Glad you think so, I've explained compression so many times over the years I think I've got my script pretty much dialed in ;) Happy compressing!

[@urwinabdoel1438]

GLB Productions thanks for clearance

[@jahmo0]

@@GLBProductions Legit, great breakdown, thank you so much

[@cesarcscofano7006]

Thanks a lot! For the first time i saw a precise and simple explanation about compression which does not causes fear on me.

[@DEBOASSE]

I agree. The two hands part of it made me finally see how the process works.

[@djfingersflores]

Bruno always comes through with the BEST explanations on how to use gear. He speaks very well and is easy to understand, thank you so much Bruno Peace

[@rozcelabueg1909]

I learned something today. I have a Yamaha MGP16x. Your advice is well taken. Thank you kindly.

[@tomjobimforever]

Very simple and clear video, very helpful. Thanks for posting this.

[@rockinrocco5908]

Excellent video again Bruno... You're a true star! Wonderful at explaining audio setup and configuration, you bring great joy to many people who want to learn about sound setup.... God bless you

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Rocco for supporting the channel!

[@jimmytho5424]

@@GLBProductions I have none knowledge about compressor but I learn from your video. Thanks for simple and clear explaining.

[@EricMooreGuitar]

Excellent explanation and demonstration! Thank you!

[@Superfoot]

This is so outstanding. The best on KZbin. 5 stars..

[@GLBProductions]

Glad the video was helpful, thanks for watching!

[@Superfoot]

How would I connect a DBX 1046 to a Sound Devices 302 going to a recorder?

[@maeredabtsog6164]

After 40+ years pf recording, I finally understand compression. Thank you for this video.

[@GLBProductions]

That's awesome to hear!

[@cavaliersdeep]

😆

[@Grid21]

Since finding your channel, I have loved your audio educational videos! Keep up the good work! :D

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks, glad the videos have been helpful!

[@mjodr]

I love how you present stuff. You don't skip over any details and are very clear about everything.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching Matt!

[@knightsaberZ42]

Best explanation of compression I have heard! Bravo! The demonstration really helped, too.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@GamersBasement]

Finally! Someone who ACTULLY understand and explains compression properly. Well done! 11/10 would recommend!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@revoxjazz8317]

You have a simple way of explaining concepts about equipment and functions. In general, your channel has the information that everyone needs. For that, I thank you and hope that you continue to do a good job. Macedo Pinto Portugal

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks 👍

[@ggarnet6440]

What a fabulous video and explanation. A very simple description of how compression works. I’m new to all this and your videos have really helped out, Bruno! Thanks fella, you’re a legend!! 👍👍

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching! Let me know if you have further questions :)

[@flip18o]

This is one of the best video I've found on youtube explaining about compression. Nice video buddy. Hope you do the one for EQ as well. Thanks.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching! I have a video explaining EQ: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2ewlHWglrpshq8

[@Blycker]

Brilliantly put. Thank you SO much for such a practical and well-taught tutorial.

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome!

[@adrianbull2943]

Best and most comprehensible explanation I've ever come across of what compression is and how it works.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching Adrian :)

[@gordonbainbridge8371]

This is an incredibly good explanation. Using the complex compressor to explain the one-knob compressor was a brilliant idea. Thanks for this very helpful video.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Gordon, very glad it was helpful!

[@russellmccallum3606]

Another great video Bruno, thank you! I just purchased a Yamaha MG16XU and that really helped me understand the compression controls. Thanks again.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Russell, glad the video was helpful :)

[@buildingsheriff]

Which idiots are giving this brilliant tutorial a thumbs down? Go and make your own video and let us comment on your efforts. My grandmother alway taught me: "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Bravo GLB Productions!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks my friend! I appreciate the support 🤗

[@DrLumpy]

My grandmother taught me not to call people idiots when they don't share my taste.

[@100chuckjones]

nice breakdown, really bringing back the basics. love it.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes, the more people we can educate the better live sound will be everywhere!

[@DavidHarry]

Excellent explanation and video.

[@sofroniomina3826]

Superb video and tutorial. Rating 10/10

[@josefvillarama4250]

The most comprehensive explanation of compression I've heard. Thank you for this video

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@AkilHenry]

Great video!

[@rodrigovazquezoficial]

The best audio teacher ever!

[@kurthammond6977]

Thank you! The best practical explanation of compression that I've seen or heard.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Kurt, glad the video was helpful!

[@vannk73]

Bruno, your videos are always well made and very informative. Thanks for sharing!

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome :)

[@CapaiaPictures]

Damm... this is so well explained, thank you so much for this guide :D

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome!

[@preetamsingh5792]

Wonderfully explained the concept

[@speedviper47]

This was great! I learned so much from this tutorial and another of your's I just watched. I will definitely be coming back for more as I become more acquainted with my new digital mixer.

[@GLBProductions]

That's great, very glad the video was helpful 😊

[@psymonkey03]

Thank you for this video! I have the same mixer, and this has been really helpful - on compression in general. BTW - I love this mixer. For my needs, the feature set is brilliant, and the bang for the buck extremely high.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes these mixers are great value for money - the one area in which they are compromised is build quality, so don't drop anything heavy on it ;)

[@psymonkey03]

Yeah, it's definitely not as solid as some!! I think having the large external power supply makes it seem even less solid though. Because of the substantially reduced weight, it seems to do okay and require less on-unit protection than say an equivalent Mackie. Thanks again! I passed this on to a coworker who also found benefit in your simple explanation of compression.

[@cafe5]

Very simple and clear - direct-to-the-point explanation. Well taken, thank you much.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Rozcel, thanks for watching!

[@davipinto216]

A very good explanation and very helpful, because many mixer's manuals have a simplest description of this resource.Thanks for sharing this knowledge with us, man. I just made my subscription.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes it's difficult to explain the concept of compression using text alone - you really need to see it demonstrated. Thanks for subscribing!

[@CarlosKaiman]

GREAT JOB! at explaining how to properly use this tool!!!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Carlos!

[@gregmardell6653]

Thank you for another great video Bruno. I found this most helpful for using My Yamaha EMX 5016.

[@GLBProductions]

Great to hear that!

[@iuliantimar]

epic lesson, thanks mate!

[@DIYOneForAll]

Well put and excellent presentation!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@amauksch1]

Wery helpeful information for giving me an understanding of the compression on my Yamaha MG10XU

[@bigmike8808]

That’s awesome sir thank you! You are my second compressor video ever after getting a mixing table lol. Everything you said made perfect sense! I’m 44 and have played instruments and been into music my whole life. I’ve always seen these knobs but never knew the possibilities of modifying the sound like this! Thank you for explaining this!! God Bless you too my friend!

[@GLBProductions]

That's great to hear Mike, you're very welcome! All the best with your music 😊

[@leeabel3854]

You're are awesome of explaining how compressor works. Thank you.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Abel.

[@dynamitekid8967]

great lesson! Thanks for sharing!

[@cee128d]

Finally. I've been struggling with the one knob compressors on my Yamaha MG12XU (and previous MG10XUF) mixers for the past month or so. I've watched this 3 or 4 times and something finally clicked this last time.

[@tsumsnoel8159]

Should I buy the compressor

[@decoyploom3159]

Explanation is so clear! Thank you !

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Decoy!

[@MrJazz-yp9wg]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks Bruno for taking the time to share your advice with us all. God bless you as well.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@alaminrahmammnmolla7721]

Thank you very much for understanding the compressor

[@Pertamax7-HD]

nice explanation sir

[@David-ib8ek]

Good advice. Thanks, appreciate it.

[@jamesflickinger1363]

Very good. Thank you for the video. :)

[@MuriloMBarquette]

Fantastic tutorial! I finally understood what is and how compressors work!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Murilo, thanks for watching!

[@Ymanntronics]

Thank you so much for the excellent explanation. What I learned herefrom is not only about one knob compression configuration, but also how to set a conventional compressor limiter. I will have to make some experiments to learn further. God bless!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Lynn, glad the video was helpful!

[@jedformalejo3896]

What an informative and helpful video. Thank you for this one.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Jed!

[@Amnesianite]

This was really helpful, it made sense of a lot of things I couldn't seem to understand.

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that!

[@isaacklewiah1920]

Mehn, short, simple but had all the details explained. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Isaac!

[@stevejohn8058]

Another great video Bruno - you make it so easy to understand. Thanks

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Steve, glad it helped you understand 😊

[@stevejohn8058]

GLB Productions if you had been my music teacher when I was at school I would have probably gone on to do a degree, instead of business

[@ryantaylor974]

very good description, I have just ordered the mg10xuf to replace my alto desk which broke today. I now feel confident I can set the compression properly. Thank you

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Ryan, glad the video was helpful!

[@DavidThackerMusic]

Great video man!! THanks!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome David :)

[@danielcardin2745]

Thank you! Your explanation is very clear and complete!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Daniel, thanks for watching!

[@songsbyrickbushnell9061]

Excellent video, good to actually have technical content, thanks Bruno.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Rick, thanks for watching.

[@terryshaw13]

This is awesome! Now I understand compression a lot better! Thank you

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Terry, glad the video was helpful!

[@esaureuben5214]

Very well said about live vocal compression.

[@rickdeaguiar-musicreflecti7692]

Great tutorial on one knob compressor. Thank you so much for taking the time on this :)

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome Rick, thanks for watching :)

[@steveraschella8233]

Thanx for the walk down the signal path…made a lot of sense

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Steve :)

[@anthonydemas2451]

This is fantastic information. I finally understand compression. Thank you so much!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Anthony, that's great to hear!

[@bassintexas6706]

Beautifully explained. First time I understand a compression explanation 100%. THANK YOU. You got a like from me

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, glad the video was helpful :)

[@johnpatrick9767]

Thank you very very much. You are an excellent teacher, and you should be very proud because not every person can communicate as well as you do.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks John, glad the videos have been helpful :)

[@jeromemckenna7102]

Nice video, very understandable. I am replacing an older mixer and I was looking at compressors, now I have some knowledge instead of none.

[@GLBProductions]

Great to hear that, let me know if you have further questions along the way.

[@Dunamis_010]

Great explanation! Thanks for the upload.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@JeffRatliffhome]

Very helpful, Thanks. Both as an explanation of compression and how to use it on myMG16XU.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome!

[@davidtaylor9283]

Great video. Thanks for the helpful information

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome David 😊

[@georgejeffries3566]

This is so well explained. Much appreciated

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome George :)

[@alexandermikrievskij5332]

Great explanation, understandable for everyone !!! Great Job

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Alex!

[@wefamilymediagroup7687]

GREAT REVIEW!!!!! LOVE IT!!!

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching man!

[@RavirajaShetty]

Thanks a lot🙏😊 Very clear tutorial...Great information.. 🖐😊 A great guide... 🙏🙏🙏

[@GLBProductions]

You're very welcome Raviraja!

[@redknight99]

Wow that was an Amazing Explanation 👍❤️

[@yordanlalihatu4599]

Thank you so much on your information a one knob compressor. God bless you too

[@ponaran9515]

Very simple and clear video, very helpful. Thank you!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Naran!

[@MrGinger62]

Very helpful! Up till now, my use of compression has made most of my recordings sound rubbish. I will try this approach tomorrow.

[@GLBProductions]

Glad it was helpful - learning how to use compression in recording is a lifelong learning process and the pros often have entire collections of compressors because they all sound a bit different.

[@creatorDholu]

thanky you for the video. It has been helpful.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Steve :)

[@HarbingersBuddy]

Just got a Yamaha today in a panic buy for work and this video just saved my a$$ thank you soo much!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, glad I could help 😊

[@ananda_miaoyin]

Thanks for this. I just picked up a XENYX1832 and the manual sucks. I will horse around with it but may end up grabbing a separate compressor anyway. I am curious to see how it handles me belting out some high C´s!

[@videoigrepovuku2216]

Thank you for this video, I am a total newbie and this has helped me understand compression better.

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that, thanks for watching!

[@sarathhapugoda217]

I have being using a YAMAHA MG124CX mixer over 10 years but did not understand and use this function. Your explanation is clear and very informative. Thankyou so much. cheers

[@GLBProductions]

Ten years, wow! Well, better late than never 😊

[@JohnOfWoking]

Excellent video - very clear and well presented as always

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching John :)

[@Jstenbakken]

Thankyou so much for a great walkover. 🙏

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Jesper!

[@rayarsenault2538]

Great video. Thanks for the tutorial on compression!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@kalisuraki8840]

Very detailed explanation, thank you

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Kali!

[@faautobahna9416]

Thank you, very educational. As a beginner to it, I need to watch your video again though to understand.

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome, feel free to ask any questions you might have.

[@j2times2006]

Great informative video. Thanks Bruno!!

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching :)

[@stevejohn8058]

Another helpful vid Bruno

[@GLBProductions]

Glad to hear that Steve 😀

[@myztahamblen8817]

this video was very helpful. thanks for posting.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@robertmeyer8735]

Man! this guy really knows his stuff, thanks

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome :)

[@nelgchannel9661]

This channel is very helpful to the beginners like me. Thanks

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Glenn :)

[@geraldferreira9679]

Thank You for a great explanation.

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Gerald!

[@jockojohn3294]

Very nice explanation. And that goes for ALL your GLB Productions videos. I'm learning a lot of great stuff that would have taken years to learn on my own.......... :)

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching Jocko!

[@ianknight5120]

This is so helpful, thanks!

[@GLBProductions]

You're most welcome, thanks for watching!

[@preciousfew68]

Very good tutorial. Thanks

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome Peter.