How Attack & Release Works in a Compressor

Joey demonstrates how compressors apply attack and release and how understanding it can take your mix to the next level. Do you have any questions about compression? Let us know in the comments!
Song used is "Chemicals" by Conquer Divide
0:00 Introduction
0:35 ADSR
2:00 Attack
4:13 Release
5:39 Setting Attack & Release
8:33 Recap
More videos on compression: • Everything About Compr...
For the visualizer I'm using Oszillos Mega Scope: schulz.audio/products/oszillo...
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Tags:compression,audio production,mixing tutorials
#compression #audioproduction #mixingtutorials

[@MegaNancyLover]

Man I wish every mixing tutorial on KZbin was as easy to follow and understand as Joey’s. The way he explains everything with graphics included makes everything so intuitive. Also, he’s very concise and to the point. I love this channel.

[@Djuni]

Feeling the same

[@iutchube]

Can't thank you enough! This is the holy grail of compression.

[@kadenstevens8213]

This is the best compression video I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much!

[@CorwinJHarris]

6:47 Aw mannnn, that general tune is immaculate

[@tomerefrat3767]

Thank you! I never touched my compressor because I didn't know how to set it up, your video really helped!

[@ogPersonA]

Best compression tutorial on KZbin 🤘 thanks

[@christopherharv]

Automating the release is something I would love to see your take on.

[@100chuckjones]

I can not believe this video only has 11k views. This is a text book breakdown. great stuff here.

[@christopherharv]

TY for the piano example, I've always struggled most with compression on piano tracks.

[@maxscholes2033]

Thank you!! This video is insanely helpful and easy to understand. I really appreciate your channel!

[@galbinobeats7283]

Great tutorial! One of the best I have ever seen!

[@dariofromthefuture3075]

Absolutely top tier information presented so cleanly. Thank you so much.

[@TheNightdiver]

Loved hearing my own summer in the video

[@NickTheNRG]

Very helpful video!

[@voronOsphere]

Another great tutorial! Thank you!

[@thegroove2000]

This is brilliant. Thanks joey.

[@Aeronaut1975]

Superb graphics and content.

[@miserablesod1]

Nice work Joey...

[@santana261]

great vídeo... those concepts are crucial..

[@LloydMajor]

Thank you for the class!

[@georgeangelakopoulos8884]

Very helpful for us noobs! Thanks!

[@musicinsession]

Man since I found this channel (last week) I think I watched almost all the content! :D And it's great to hear (and learn) something that is properly narrated, instead of just shouting!!

[@darlawkopx]

Love this tutorial ❤️

[@throttlenerd]

Whoa this is so great, thanks! And the graphics mmmmm!

[@CaptinNimo]

Really good job

[@tjf6005]

Perfect Lesson! ✌🏾

[@wahidlahlou]

Well done!

[@timcat8382]

Excellent explanation. I have been wondering how a guitarist would use the release in a compressor pedal, for two handed tapping and I think you explained it at 8.42, when you spoke about long sustaining notes Vs rapid fire drums.

[@shashiekunthikumar7980]

you're a legend ! , Liked and Subscribed

[@commonbeats]

Thanks learning lots! What’s the song in the piano example please? All the feels!

[@troyedwards9288]

this is so informative

[@kevinsenquiz902]

Nice video 👍🏾

[@SAVMONEY97]

Great video.

[@ourownwar]

so damn useful! thanks Joey!

[@NikolajChristensen]

Great video. Regarding the knee perhaps it's better to use the effect on the ratio (which it really is) instead of attack. Soft knee is a variable ratio around the threshold.

[@deeplyaffected3520]

Thanks alot, The best!

[@Harrysound]

Fantastic.

[@danielmwesigwa9652]

God Bless you Joey

[@onajeofficialmusic]

Great Video1 Thanks

[@paulmitchell5600]

THis guys knows what he is talking about !

[@Djuni]

I thank you so much!!!

[@jorgepeterbarton]

the knee graduates the ratio around the threshold, its not timing, although it may have such an effect. In fact it will mean a subtler compression is still applied below (but approaching) the threshold without even breaching the threshold! and immediately above the threshold slightly less ratio - hence the curve on the graph. important distinction.

[@FarhatGuitarOfficial]

Great!!!! Thank you

[@joeymusic]

You are welcome!

[@giovannibarresi98]

Great! what is the plugin you use to see track changes in real time? Thanks a lot!

[@RyanLafford]

Great video on the topic! Loved all of the audio examples and showcasing across multiple compressor plugins is very nice :)

[@v.harlot]

Wow, for some reason I've always thought the more the attack knob is cranked up the more attack I'm getting, and it turns out to be the opposite. Thanks for the video!

[@queenpurple8433]

Depends on the compressor

[@joeymusic]

Some compressors make the attack knob backwards

[@BrofUJu]

On a Distressor 10 is slow, 1 is fast. On an 1176 7 is fast, 1 is slow. Make sense? 😝 Different units are different.

[@v.harlot]

Oh, ok! So I might be using my stuff the correct way. Thanks for the feedback guys

[@BrofUJu]

@@v.harlot definitely one of the nice things of using digital compressors where you can set the attack specifically and know what it is

[@SilverDaysFail]

These guys r badasses

[@nothattommy]

What song are using on setting attack and release?

[@CONT4MIN4TED]

Hey Joey, if I'm attempting to make a track wider would this be futile if I have it panned to one side? Or does this only work for tracks in the center? Thanks!

[@smash_adams]

What is the song that has the piano in it?

[@Ronn_V]

unrelated but i liked how you used some songs from Deftones for some intros

[@rakatai.i.i8739]

Hey! When it comes to compressors with automatic attack/release controls (LA2As, or some of the settings in the FabFilter C1) what is you advice on those?

[@pedrovanzeler1185]

Optical compressor like the la2a have slower attacks if you want something with a slower attack try that. They are good on vocals for example, or bass. I prefer to have my dynamics under control but I’m not experienced so maybe I’m just not comfortable with stuff like that and tend to avoid them

[@raynoobkac]

What is the song in the intro?

[@DerVisionaer18]

Does anyone know the song at 0:35?

[@AndrewHarper00]

Cool

[@stealthwolf2011]

rely good thank for tip i gona make musik now

[@jellewierda3828]

Hay! You stole my beardstyle ;-)

[@henzon4931]

What ia your theme in reaper?

[@ayoutubecommenter3031]

Does anyone know the song in 0:34? I badly wanna use it as a reference for my mix

[@ayoutubecommenter3031]

Nvm I found it, it's called I Overcome by joey sturgis tones

[@jjaard]

Would suggest always use multi-band compressor, it gives you way more flexibility

[@carlovelasco6343]

attack is like a volune knob

[@emiliano9321]

I thought knee was something Dynamics based and not time-based??

[@AAllinsonNN]

Knee adjusts the onset of the attack, which is ultimately a time based algorithm that gives you control over dynamics. So, time based, dynamic response. Just as the attack and release are time based but effect dynamic control.

[@ramalshebl60]

0:40 ayo that's a sus waveform 😂😂😂

[@joeymusic]

😇

[@user-op3hc2nk9o]

this is not exactly correct. the knee doesn’t gradually compress the signal after it exceeds the threshold. the knee gradually rounds the threshold itself, which means that the compression starts to exponentially happen before signal reaches the threshold so that when it reaches it the ratio is exactly how you set it. because of this soft knee results in more compressed signal and a transient loss

[@doktordrift948]

He relese! He attac! But he always mess up the trac!

[@francocolori1681]

Why are you hiding my comment from the other viewers?

[@nithe7330]

giving out mixing secrets?🤣