How The Pros Use Compression on Instruments and Mixes

Secrets of How the Pros use Compression. In this video I discuss how compression works: Ratio, Threshold, Attack, Release, Hard-Knee, Soft Knee, Gain Reduction. What are and How to use the Plugin and Hardware Versions of:
Optical Compressors - like the LA2A, LA3A, Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.Tube Tech CL1B
FET Compressors - Universal Audio 1176, Purple Audio MC77, Universal Audio 1176 Blue Stripe, Universal Audio 1178
VCA Compressors - SSL G Series, Alan Smart C2, Neve 33609
Variable MU - Fairchild 660 and 670, Manley Variable MU. Altec 436C,
How To Compress and What to Use - Kick Drum, Snare, Toms, Overheads, Room Mic and Drum Buss Compression.
I also provide examples of using compression plugins in individual Instruments and the Mix Buss.
The song I use at the end is called "Live This Lie" that I wrote with my friend and Australian DJ TyDi
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[@RickBeato]

For those non-musicians that have written to me you can donate to my channel through this link on my website rickbeato.com/pages/donate Or you can become a member of the Beato Club. My Beato Club is exactly like Patreon.

[@ilo0076]

You explained it very well and in electronic music, from chill, electro pop to dance, Edm to trap, house, techno etc. will the same rules be applied to compression?

[@HAJensen19987]

How do you feel about the Logic Pro Compressors? Do I need to get a different software compressor if all I have is Logic Pro?

[@kevinrakestraw3787]

@@ilo0076 I’m not on Beato’s level by any means, but the concepts here absolutely apply across the board in general. Like his comments about the LA2A treating low end frequencies better than others. Instead of taking notes word for word, I just made notes on problems and solutions. (Like the 1176 having ultra fast atk & release times) regardless of what sounds he uses it on.

[@dr.dthazelrig5770]

@@HAJensen19987 Try something interesting: record without compression. Too many young audio engineers cut themselves short by jumping straight to the tools of pros who have spent years learning how to use them. The best thing you can do is get Nick's ear training book, learn to identify frequencies, and move on from there into other tools. Once you can clearly/consistently identify by frequency you'll already be more than halfway there. I hope that helped. Dr. DT Hazelrig (Ph.D.)

[@jSpirituS7]

I feel like I should be paying you right now... lol

[@cjparrott]

defn 0:18 ratios 1:00 attack 4:06 release 7:40 mix bus 9:14 types of 11:19 drum plugins 20:53 bass plugins 23:32 guitars plugins 24:00 piano plugins 25:07 vocal plugins 26:01 drum buss 26:41 ...this is for me

[@Skelterbane69]

Absolute saint

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

thanks my man, I play with the compression all day and listen and listen some more

[@MaxCarola]

with the ratio at 1:00 you have no compression... :)

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

@@MaxCarola I boorun about 3 or 4 to1 ratio

[@daviddaniels4075]

And me.

[@iane.millais2982]

Hi Rick, We studied together at Berklee. I graduated 1984. You continue to shine and bring deep knowledge to us all. Thanks for the great lesson.

[@BeardedKingface]

wholesome comment! you doing audio too?

[@christopheberthier2285]

Genius...

[@thedevilsadvocate5210]

Did you go to Daddy’s Junky Music.

[@jamestowlson]

@@thedevilsadvocate5210 one of us!

[@MRVIDEOMASTER-yw1qw]

God loves you all! The Father sent the Son to die for you and your sins so that you could experience freedom to the fullest! Believe in Christ's death and resurrection (which sealed the work done on the cross) for your salvation and the forgiveness of sins! Amen

[@dogh2o921]

This video will teach you in 30 minutes what took you 30 years to hardly figure out and all without confusion. Yous just saved yourself a grip of money as well. Beato is the 6 blade knife and a highly accomplished musician/guitarist as well. He is officially uncle Rick.

[@rcc3music]

TRUTH!

[@davidl.e5203]

It'll be cool if he also takes me out for an intergalactic space adventure and let me have my way with Jessica.

[@thedevilsadvocate5210]

If you took 30 years to learn that give it up

[@simongosimon]

I feel like a compressor pedal is more for live use anyway, i think you can get better results with most DAWs

[@lightafluident.9950]

@@thedevilsadvocate5210 LMAO, RIGHT!!!!

[@therealliveguy]

The best, most comprehensive explanation of compression on youtube. PERIOD.

[@luisaucedo]

period PERIODperiod

[@nishantrajanwal8377]

Lal lolita let ll send lol and love l

[@mal9817]

KtM great information thank you

[@harrysachs2274]

The real question, do I need a compressor pedal?

[@crigonalgaming1258]

@@harrysachs2274 if you use single coils? Absolutely. It tames the shrill singlecoils, and increases your output. Humbuckers are already compressed to death, so it's optional.

[@benja303]

Notes to self: Dynamic range / loudness is a function of music that needs to be addressed at the mixing stage. Gaining perspective on the loudness of your song: A) use metering check the LUFS , rms, perceived loudness B) find a professionally mixed reference track and a b your mix with it on different systems If your tracks are not loud enough, you obviously need to get them louder. How do you make loud mixes? First understand the relationship between dynamic range and loudness. What is dynamic range ? Dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of your track. Digital Audio goes from - infinity to 0 (loudest). When you cross 0 you get distortion. By limiting your audio to -0.1 you can then just jack up the volume and get max loudness without distorting right ? Wrong. When you start trying to make it louder you will start to lose parts of your Audio. The transients will go first, so your drums ah start sound Lakka doo doo. So how do you gain loudness without losing parts of your Audio or distorting? You could : - Lower the volume of your transients - lower the bass - compact the sound by reducing the dynamic range and then raising the volume That’s where compression comes in. It’s a tool you can use as a function Of compacting Audio aka reducing dynamic range. But how does reducing dynamic range help make a track louder? How does compacting Audio and then doing gain compensation help? It helps because you get more perceived loudness while taking up less volume, so now you are further away from the ceiling but it sounds just as loud. Now when you come to limit you can raise it even louder. It’s like being space efficient. - Notes to self to be continued

[@emilianolopez5631]

Excellent!

[@L.DOT.P.]

Wow

[@joshuafrank869]

Amazing 🙏

[@alebarchini]

Nice. I would add that there are more goals that you can achieve with compression, not only loudness. You can obtain more definition or sustain, as you are able to enhance the back ends, or, as it is said on the video, you make the sound more even. All of this at the cost of reducing dynamic range, which in the other hand could be valuable thing that you are losing, thats why the dynamics of piano and forte exist.

[@nilsa6947]

This is dope

[@havick104]

I just learned I have no idea what Im doing!

[@OtherTheDave]

havick104 I love it when that happens... means my life’s about to get easier.

[@pavle988]

Yea im on it too :)

[@curtisb.9101]

Hahahahahah! SAME

[@OtherTheDave]

Emanuel Walker Was, yeah. Might be again someday if this whole “software dev” thing doesn’t work out.

[@midnightkiteflight6333]

Welcome to the world of mixing I guess

[@masonvonritchie]

I had my DAW open on one screen and had this video playing on another screen. In the course of this 30-minute video, I was able to make a mix sound so much better using the information in this video. This is the definitive guide to compression and it helped me make sense of it in a way that nobody else has been able to. Rick, you are a national treasure and you must be protected at all costs.

[@hockeytalk6084]

I know this is an old video but man I feel like I just took a whole college course for free! Thank you Rick! This filled in so many holes in my knowledge of compression that I I actually feel really confident and excited to start experimenting with different compressors in different situations now

[@sevenonsunday3968]

I took notes the whole time. haha!

[@thelastcell]

So many people I tried to learn from treated mixing and mastering like some elite practice and not like science where you just have to start with fundamentals and then learn step by step - The way Rick gives so many people insight is remarkable - I love what you are doing for the whole music community Rick ! Thank you so much

[@ryancarlisle2931]

@@jsullivan2112 Exactly. :-) Well said. That is the truth.

[@maxi-me]

Well, quite honestly you have to have an ear for it to start with. It's not _all_ eyeball science, there's at least _some_ biology. It can be trained to some degree, but just like athletics or any other endeavor some will just have a natural inclination, while others who work twice as hard won't get as desirable results. The ear is necessary because there are so many anomalies with different recording rooms, mixing rooms, microphones, drum heads, strings, vocal cords etc, etc, etc... Fortunately AI is not far off from giving _anyone_ the ability to hum out-of-tune into their phone and have an algorithm assemble a _Red Book_ recording, replete with brilliant lyrics, astonishing performance, original composition and a 32 piece philharmonic orchestra.

[@FlaxeMusic]

@@maxi-me Hard disagree. "It can be trained to some degree"-no, it can be trained to an intensely refined degree. And this isn't sport, there is no objective better, or objective winner. Your ears are uniquely yours, your preferences are uniquely yours and those facts makes YOU doing the work objectively valuable.

[@cosmictom5255]

Fat back end was my high school nickname.

[@nerdvananc]

Made me lol, well played.

[@KillforKickz]

lmao

[@Rovira2920]

i cant imagine im learning from this for free. Every Audio Engineer needs to Pay for this Knowledge,

[@tangogrrl]

OTOH, you can join the Beato club! Guilt - solved!

[@topazboy333]

This is the only compression tutorial on KZbin I’ve ever felt like I’ve gotten something out of

[@lightafluident.9950]

Me as well!!!!

[@GoodVibeTribe]

This is the best overview I have ever seen on compression! The real world examples from classic songs is fantastic. The graphics thrown in to make the point more clear is fantastic. The discussion on current plug in offerings is fantastic. Rick thank you so much man! You have probably heard this before but you have a gift of communication as you break down complicated subjects. I am so happy (and lucky!) to know that you share openly. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@PsychoCaki]

totally agree with you!

[@thedeadxtras9927]

Phil Williams Rick is D’Man!!!!

[@NotthatRossKemp]

Best music channel on KZbin.

[@ChristianKorte]

Missclicked?

[@63Baggies]

Ross Kemp . ....without doubt...very detailed and oddly accessible given the complexity of much of the information.

[@chrisjordan9259]

don't know about what might be best channel, but for me definitely one of the most informative channels regarding music production topics. Keep up the good work, Rick! and a BIG THANK YOU!!

[@midnightbrewers5368]

What was it like being in the SAS?

[@runreilly]

Beato 2020

[@jeredalmeida1880]

This is the only cohesive explanation of compression I've ever heard. Thanks, Rick!

[@improbableworld]

Thank you -- no kidding, I took a college course in recording and it was nowhere near as potent as this. I especially appreciate the comparisons of waveforms (the way they look compressed and not compressed... I'm a visual learner) and citing well-known examples like Led Zeppelin.

[@christiankrueger221]

Rick, you are a treasured font of knowledge! We are very blessed and privileged to have you sharing on this platform.

[@riloh58]

I am continually stunned by Rick’s channel. The knowledge he shares, the information he has in his head...it’s just awesome. I can’t come here without learning heaps. Thank you a thousand times Rick. Always grateful for anything you wish to share.

[@Malmsteen1990]

Not only the font of knowledge. but the way he explains... best teacher ever.

[@NICUofficial]

he makes these explanations seem so easy and obvious, probably what I love most about him :)

[@nathanmantle377]

I remember looking for something like this when i first started learning about compression, and found it ridiculous that nobody had explained things in such detail! Happy that up and coming musicians can learn this stuff from your videos.

[@russellthegoat3894]

Facts. I love how he threw in the examples top to really drive the point home and show it in practice. Rick you rock

[@StreetCars101TV]

Even in audio engineering we did not get this detailed into compression. I love this

[@BlokeOzzie]

This guy knows how to explain things in a way that finally makes sense to me.

[@thajayblaine]

I love how many artists hoping to come up all come together watching these type of videos, all of us in the comment section should start a music distribution company promoting each other

[@tyleranderson7089]

This video needs to be far more popular! I wish these videos were on the same channel as produce like a pro. Combination of easy to learn, straight-forward, non-time wasted, white board learning of music/production and then produce like a pro's interviews with the top mixing and mastering engineers in the world. Love these two channels.

[@lightfireradioproductions]

So helpful - you're a great teacher. I'm a long-time musician getting into recording and you anticipate all my questions as they pop up. Really good pace and clarity - thank you!

[@kevinlabbe8391]

The Glue Sounded amazing every time, when activated during the bass and during the vocals. I mean like wow! What a difference!

[@qarthmusic8196]

Keep the production related videos coming Rick!! Amazing job!

[@JayInHisPrime]

finally somebody i understand

[@jerrythebusdriver]

I know right!?

[@RobertSuchorski]

Hahaha ! Exactly

[@Kelvinapplegate]

Man thanks a bunch! This is the first time I could actually really really hear the difference between before and after tracks most videos I watch my ear has not grown enough to notice.

[@spareparts0415]

Bravo to you Rick for sharing information with others in a wonderful enlightening way. You timelessly prove that you have forgotten more then many will ever know yet you are so humble in your delivery. A true mentor i salute you!

[@agork]

That was one insane amount of information. Could have been stretched out on a whole semester. Very grateful for this RB 🙏🏻 ❤️

[@timefilm]

You taught me more here in 9 minutes than I learned in 9 months of schooling

[@mr.sharkymr3587]

This has been the best explanation of compression I have seen on here. Very straightforward and simple to follow. Also, your examples using different compressors with the same audio track is very well done. The inclusion of portions of the uncompressed track demonstrates very clearly what compressors do without adding unnecessary explanation which would only serve to distract the viewer. Thank you very much for making and posting this.

[@russellthegoat3894]

This is the first thing that’s ever helped me understand compression. Thanks Rick. Will be watching any further production tips you post.

[@Tomkarshner]

Rick, thank you . I’ve been playing with this equipment of mine for over 20 years and you are the only person I was able to understand what was happening.. I move compressor knobs until I get the sound I like but never understanding why. Thank you again. Just to show your never too old to rock and roll I’m 73 and still learning

[@paulward9936]

Can’t imagine this is the first time this has been said on Rick’s comments sections.. but this legend has forgotten more about music theory, music production and likely about life than I will probably ever know.

[@ganeshagarwal9506]

no one in the entire world could explain this the way you did. Such clear explanation & so in-depth knowledge. Thanks a lot for doing this Mr. Beato. I am forever grateful & indebted to you for teaching all the difficult concepts so easily.

[@patsquanch]

little nugget of gold for those of use just starting to get into engineering, Rick. I appreciate everything you do for the fans out there!!! One of the best in the biz without a doubt.

[@zapantalambda]

been to an audio crash course earlier this week and this video of Mr Beato reinforced my knowledge on the subject of music production in general. Thank you sir!

[@Just_Jorilla]

Loved how the Glue did just that, tightened everything up. Also, the Neve, and how it pushed everything through, giving it more Punch. Great tutorial By the way. Thank You!!!

[@tpirm2142]

Great teacher... Thanks Rick! You deserve all the followers you have and many many more. Easy to follow and very informative. Not to fast and not to slow, and loads of valuable knowledge in only a 30 minute video.

[@brushman20]

I watched this video many months ago before I knew anything about compression at all. Have picked up some knowledge along the way and came back to this. It’s like a whole new video. Learned a ton and was actually familiar with a lot of the language used here, unlike last time. Super useful video!

[@chrisfeatherstone9691]

This was absolutely the best explanation of the use of compressors and which ones are best suited for what situation!

[@weaesq]

I used to have a general understanding of compressors - to reduce the dynamic range. But with all the different types of compressors and variations for the differing instruments, that takes experience that I will likely will never get. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

[@ianmclean5541]

Rick, your teaching style is amazing. I took a ton of notes on this video and your EQ video. You have a gold mine of decades of experience in audio engineering. I welcome any other videos on the subject of recording/mixing and would happily pay for them. There is no substitute for the job savvy gained from your years in the business. The way you explain concepts is a highly valuable asset that many of us aspiring amateur and professional engineers can benefit from.

[@tristanchase2887]

It's been 20 years since I first read something on how a compressor worked and spent years being confused and probably guessing as much as anything. If you're learning, or in any way confused, this video is about the best single resource on compression I have ever seen. Not on;y will you get a perfect explanation of the what and how of compression, but you'll also get a very accessible and useful when & why too, covering different types of compressors, when to use them, and what settings are the best place to start for a whole range of musical circumstances. Another killer video Rick, you are a true information resource...the kids these days have no fucking idea how amazing it is to have this kind of thing on call and in your pocket 24/7! 10/10

[@lorenzowynberg]

Thanks so much, this is the best compression video I've been able to watch yet. Amazing! Keep up the great content and thanks again!

[@ChristianKorte]

Hopefully you`re able to watch some that show how it is really used.

[@SirMalikCobra]

That Neve brings out the sparkle a bit more. The Glue pulls everything in tight with almost no color.

[@josephtabar492]

Thank you Rick Beato. I am a disabled 🎸 player who records at home in Osgood Indiana on a Boss BR - 8 recording studio. I used to left-handed Mexican Fender Stratocaster and a few effects pedals of which the Wa wa pedal is my favorite. I couldn't afford to go to a special school to learn the art of this craft. As much as I like it and believe in it, being on Social Security and disabled many things are out of my price range. So it is with deep gratitude for your time in this session they cost me absolutely nothing except for the time it takes to listen and pay attention. I have recorded these programs so that I can go back and refer to them as often as I need to. Thank you very much Rick Beato. You have even helped the lowest of musicians, so you are greatly appreciated. May God bless you and your family for the great work that you do.

[@JamesKight]

Easily the most I've learned from this channel by far. Fascinating.

[@photojournalists]

I've watched a lot of mixing videos and I've also watched a lot of Rick's video (what makes this song great, etc.) But from education perspective, this video is GOLD!

[@bboydreaded]

Yo. KZbin was on auto play. I was watching thug life and fell asleep in front of the tv. I woke up and your vid was on. I understand comprehension so much better now. I have watch a few (heaps) of vids on the subject but yours is the best. I have watched this 3 times and have taken notes. Thank you. Me finding this vid was meant to be. So glad I didn’t sleep through the whole thing. Lol. Keep up the good work.

[@ksrhys-]

Comprehension 😁

[@wardenist]

Hi Rick, I have been mixing for 25 years now and your vid on compression is just so cool. Thank you.

[@jonljacobi]

By far the most useful video on compression I’ve ever watched.

[@dangreenwood]

The most articulate discussion/lesson on compression I’ve seen. Thank you Rick.

[@karenfurr7604]

Amen to that!

[@meniscus1]

This is an incredibly useful video. Thanks for taking the time, and offering this wealth of knowledge to those of us that are interested in a better understanding of how these can be applied. Grateful! Cheers!!

[@buonanni6202]

This is absolutely unbelievable content. The real life examples and the way you break everything down helped clarify so much for me. Thank you.

[@Landodog1971]

When Rick is "presenting" (like he's on TV) he's definitely very cool. But then there are the moments when he's just so into what he's explaining, it's like he forgets there's a big audience, and it's as if he's simply talking to you, just you, about really specific recording techniques that you're totally interested in. That's when he's truly great. Part teenager going, "oh my god that song sounds amazing", part professor saying, "these are the compressor settings they used on the mix bus". Incredible!

[@sttyves]

this lesson will become a classic thanks so much for this precious info

[@NICUofficial]

literally 100% gold-plated raw studio knowledge on compression & production it is hard to sum in words how stupid-lucky I feel to have this video available to learn from for free. LOL, this is just ridiculous tbh thanks rick, just another fanboy here. you're helping make NICU's musical path come alive every day and I humbly thank you for it

[@pathogenocide01]

been doing this for years and this is probably the best video I've seen on breaking down compression so far!

[@sippa-t9856]

this is the best video on Compression I have seen yet ! every video i've seen, the guy wants to sound super smart and doesn't make it intuitive. thank you !

[@TroyShaw]

Wow, this is the best explanation of how compressors work that I've ever seen. I had an idea of how they work but you really dig in. Awesome.

[@paulvanzyl6869]

having learnt about compression 20 years ago, and worked with it for years, there's still so much in here that pure gold. Loving all the masterclasses rick, both on production and music.

[@sayman2000]

This will certainly be one of my go-to videos, whenever I feel like I need a refresh, when dealing with compression. Thanks for all the tips!

[@bugamail]

Every once in a while I come back to this video, what a gem!

[@SheaRecordmetal]

You are the man. Love the examples like led zeppelin, or the beatles. You give us an idea of sound not just numbers.

[@tazz58penticalzone43]

This cleared up a lot of questions that I still had not got a clue on.

[@Stratking01]

Man, this is great. Probably the best explanation of compression in mixing I’ve ever heard

[@ilyasantonov212]

Compression has boggled my mind for years but you explained it super clearly. Thanks

[@zacpiya]

I mis-read this as "Pro Secrets of *Compassion." I clicked immediately.

[@bensokol-composer1859]

Hands down the best video on knowing how to use compression!

[@hartgeld78]

mixbustv has an awesome series on compression! You should definitely check it out if you didn't already.

[@mikephillips4001]

Wow... the four buss examples really show what you were explaining clearly. The Glue - what extra width and height it presents in the dynamics over the others! You've clearly shown how much rich texture compression use can add. I've used multiband for years instead of eq - now the world knows my secret sauce thanks to Rick here.

[@23thkr]

A great explanation on how the compressor work. Knowing how it actually works will make you more confident when using one

[@FranciscoBIdo]

Totally awesome. Love compressors.

[@xyzyzx1253]

Rick beato is literally a sage. Awesome stuff I’d love to see a whole series on various different professional uses for all the various standard mixing plug ins / essentials! That would be awesome, thanks again rick! You’ve been with me from my first key signature and chord construction, to producing and mixing in my own home studio on three instruments, and it’s literally all thanks to going over your material, and Adams Neely and few others, If it weren’t for you guys, I’d never be able to express myself musically like I can now! So thank you all so much Also, since I’ve been getting into this whole production thing, Could you be my sage for that as well, that would be wildly convenient lol 😁

[@brennenmoloney4736]

I've been diving into production lately and I've been wondering what attack, transients, ratios, etc. mean in regards to compression and music production as a whole. I've been in and out of studios as a musician for years too. It's so nice to finally understand this stuff. This is gold.

[@thomashardey9247]

Great overview, Rick. I've learned a lot about compression. But, it never hurts to hear someone else's take on a subject. The listing of what makes of compressors to apply in given situations or on instruments is truly helpful. Great stuff as always.

[@strstudio8625]

the neve comp was really nice. going to get that one now by UA overlooked that one for too long. great video thanks for sharing will give your video to my interns for learning

[@xxxxxxxtra]

Love the Neve at the end.

[@octopusonfire100]

It totally blows away all the SSL for that song

[@ChristianKorte]

Wait. You mean UAD ?

[@mrzprettyfeet]

Truth

[@thegeniusofdavidbowie4104]

Really useful. Finally I start to get a grip on what compression is, how it works and how to use it beyond the very basic. Great practical examples.

[@seanberton3110]

Thank you sooo much for this comprehensive compression compilation! Please keep posting recording tips and explanations. Your style is perfect for practical understanding.

[@gorgino9700]

If I get to meet you one day, I’ll pay your dinner. This video is the greatest

[@junkaction2416]

Attack is the length of time it takes a compressor to apply roughly two-thirds of the targeted amount of gain reduction. I say ‘roughly two-thirds’ because there is no agreed-upon, industry-accepted standard for what this spec actually is. Yes, you read that right: no two compressor designers will agree on exactly how to define, and therefore measure, attack. My definition above is within the ballpark of most thinking, so I’m running with it. To understand this definition of attack better, you need to get some basics of compression established first. Let’s say your compressor is set with a threshold of -10dB and a ratio of 3:1. If you feed this compressor a signal at -11dB, nothing happens because the signal is lower than the -10dB threshold. But if that signal jumps to -1dB things get interesting. Most notably, the instant the signal reaches -10dB the compressor begins attacking it. There is no delay whatsoever in this response, which belies the myth that attack is the time it takes a compressor to respond once a signal crosses the threshold. With a -1dB signal and a -10dB threshold, the signal is 9dB over the threshold. Our 3:1 ratio means that for every 3dB coming in over threshold, the comp wants to allow 1dB out the backside. Since our example has a signal 9dB over the threshold, our hypothetical 3:1 comp wants to compress those incoming 9dB into 3dB at the output, which would require 6dB of gain reduction. Given that attack is the time it takes a compressor to apply roughly 2/3 of the targeted gain reduction, the attack in this case indicates how fast the comp will apply the first 4dB of the target 6dB of reduction. If you don’t follow the math of this illustration, don’t worry. For now it’s enough to know that the compressor starts applying gain reduction as soon as the signal crosses the threshold. Which means that attack is not a delay before action, nor is it even a measurement of time per se; instead, it is a rate, a measurement of the speed at which the process of gain reduction is occurring. Release is the time it takes a compressor to restore two-thirds of the reduced gain to the compressed signal. ‘Restoring reduced gain’ is a very carefully chosen set of words. I characterised release in those terms because it’s useful to think of compression as a two-way street. When a compressor attacks, it is applying gain reduction - it is lowering the signal level. But gain reduction is only half the picture, because for every dB of gain a compressor takes away, at some point it has to put it back. And that process - let’s call it ‘gain restoration’ - is the business of release. The faster your release, the faster the compressor restores the gain it took away when attacking. So what do we know now, at least in a purely academic way? Attack is the length of time it takes a compressor to apply roughly two-thirds of the targeted gain reduction. Release is the length of time it takes a compressor to restore roughly two-thirds of that reduced gain. This gives us a good grounding to tackle more compression myths. If you’ve been paying attention, it should already be obvious why this statement is false. The explanation lies in the fact that aside from generating ancillary effects like distortion and colouration from transformers and tubes, attacking and releasing a signal are the only two things a compressor can do. Put a little differently: any time the gain reduction meter on a compressor is moving, it is either attacking or releasing the signal. Fascinating! Taking it a step further: Any time the gain reduction meter is increasing (i.e., the comp is reducing the gain of the signal), the compressor is attacking. Any time the gain reduction meter is decreasing (i.e., the comp is restoring the gain of the signal), the compressor is releasing. So while the well-intentioned myth-spreaders out there would have you believe that attack and release are only relevant when a signal crosses the threshold - attack on the way up and release on the way down - what I am telling you is that nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, once a signal is over the threshold, both attack and release are constantly at play. G.S.

[@mistermind7946]

That was effin' awesome to read. "There's no delay in that response whatsoever" That's the key. Most people think the attack time is how long the comp waits before doing it's thing. But i observed visually on GR meters that the pin itself moves faster or slower when you set the attack/release times to your taste. Absolutely vital point. You rock.

[@michi9955]

Thanks. Makes sense when you think about analog comps who cant measure time discretly but instead control the speed of attack/release with variable resistors.

[@distorson]

Very well explained! Thanks a lot for the effort you put into this fairly long youtube comment.

[@agentcalm]

Phew....Im lost. I'll need to read this a few times to try get this. I did indeed always assume a fast attack simply meant how quickly the comp attacked the signal "once it crossed the threshold. I'd always imagined it like a security dog and a line in the sand. Security are well aware you're trespassing and crossed the line. But they might give a head start or attack you immediately. Depending on the attack settings.

[@stanspb763]

Very nice explanation of a concept that is so fundamental to recording and live sound but so little understood. I had all the classic compressors of the day in my 3 studio complex and each had its own transfer functions that had to be learned by experience. But in those days a top album studio had no beginners in them or jacks of all trades, it was a real team effort in each studio so by the time a promising Second got a solo as first they had been working daily for several years with top producers and engineers. A lot of that knowledge has been lost or distorted by the home recording social media mythology and beginners teaching other beginners. I am not even in recording anymore, after the death of the record industry in the 90s, all the great independent album studios closed due to lower numbers of major label releases and the drastic cut in what the labels would pay after all the labels were purchased by international corporations. I started as an EE designing equipment but moved into recording by accident in the early 70s and continued into the early 90s when everything in radio, touring and recording collapsed with the new label policies. It is interesting that the gear we built or used as everyday hardware is still revered 50 years later. About the only hardware not sought are the plate reverbs, we had 6, plus live echo chamber tied into each control room patch bay. They are too big for most computer-based studios now I suppose.

[@Seh1r]

Came back to this video after two years of "making music" and I finally understand it. Well, what I mean is I understand part of it. That part is, "Leave compression to the Pros. ;-)

[@mache3984]

I have some barriers that prevent me from staying engaged when reading and this helps immensely!!!! Thank you!

[@raphexe]

I've seen a lot of videos on compression, this is the best. accurate, straight to the point, no bullshit.

[@alunevans5828]

One of the very phew channels where i like first, then watch.

[@Dougjohnson1966]

Phenomenal tutorial! Kudos!!! This is the first time I actually understood how to utilize compression! Thanks for making it clear!

[@pc2908]

Fantastic breakdown of what compression can serve as, and how it can help or hurt your mix/mastering. Rick, as always…you’re THE man!

[@cappy781]

Rick is the best at teaching music

[@BrandonofRedemption]

Fantastic information! Thanks again Rick!

[@jaysoto7439]

Best clear-cut, informative video on compression I've ever seen.

[@TheGreatConstantini]

This is a must have video. After all my years, finally an explanation that makes sense.

[@javierportillo1741]

this man is godsent I swear. thank god for rick.

[@burnbabies666]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, i've been watching videos for the past 2 hours and they never go in depth and always explain the basics but never do they use technical slang in fear of losing young disillusioned viewers. Thank you for this you have helped a band record their album better. And certainly countless others

[@MikeK2100]

Finally! A lot of information given by a person that loves what he does and don't talk to you like you are stupid! Quite a few on KZbin out there like it. Probably a lot more than I can ever use, but thank you for putting it out there. It will be remembered. My fun is going to be hooking my mixing board into a land line. Thank you!

[@GlennWallaceMusic]

This is great. Compression so misunderstood. This is the clearest I’ve heard it explained. Way to get right to the key points. I feel like I finally learned something after watching a compression video. Thanks

[@BrunoWiebelt]

thank you for this one ... learned a lot and your deep experience

[@gabrielleclaeys863]

Also on a side note this is better explanation than some of my lecturers have given me so thanks so much Rick!

[@sebml9846]

bro, your a god at this point, youve taught me in 5 minutes in more than any lesson or playing about with the compressor has in 3 years