How To Become a Master at Compression (in Only 10 Minutes)

[@Akayo_Music]

Made a mistake at 2:41 meant to say "for every 4 dB above the threshold, the compressor reduces the signal by 3 dB, allowing only 1 dB to get through." Also just to clarify, the analogy used in the video WAS NOT CREATED BY ME lol. It's a commonly used analogy for compression, I don't take ANY credit for it www.akayosound.com/accelerator

[@Serenacider]

Does that mean that the audio signal has to exceed the threshold by 4 dB in order for it to work? Does a 4:1 ratio not work if the audio crosses the threshold by say 2 dB? Or does it mean that only 0.5 dB comes through and 1.5 dB gets cut off if the signal exceeds the threshold by 2 dB in a 4:1 setting?

[@Drake21339]

@@Serenacider the compressor will start to work as soon as the audio passes the level set by your threshold. If you have a 4:1 ratio and your audio exceeds the threshold by 1db, the compressor will reduce that audio by .75db and only allow .25db past the threshold. If the signal passes the threshold by 8db, the compressor will reduce that amount to 2db. Etc.

[@R3ND3RR0R]

@@Serenacider Yeah he kind of goofed on the ratio part. Its a ratio - a percentage - not a numerical value.

[@Serenacider]

@@Drake21339 Ahh

[@SmallTownMusician]

Ahh haa

[@dzmo-official]

That analogy is absolute pristine

[@yudhafpiano]

I have further example with my own music in spotify, 1 genre use compression and 1 genre don't use compression, take a look for anyone interested

[@murdatainment]

Exactly bro that’s what I’m saying😮‍💨

[@tsho_starboy]

Nah no funny that definitely break it down to last details good job ma boy we appreciate that 👏🏾🫡🔥

[@marketingcopilot8337]

And i know where he found that analogy: f9

[@YourBoyBlinn]

1000% haha

[@tcooper7280]

I'm 44 and watch these kind of videos for fun basically when I've got bugger all to do. Mate, your "mother" analogy had me dying. I've tried to explain compression to people so many times, attack, release, ratio....... but I'm stealing this. Best analogy I've ever heard. Well done. I'd give my left arm to be a teen in this era.

[@dR0L0b]

insane sacrifice but i guess worth it?

[@CADDYDIAZ]

I didn't understand it at first until a friend showed me on a DAW, he showed me through a WAV file. The visuals kinda help the mix, but not as much. It still took me a year or so to understand it fully and know how to use it, especially the EQ before compression or compression before EQ.

[@DarkEagleActual]

@@CADDYDIAZ and which way is best?

[@ChronoMune]

lol calm down man 44 is still the teens of adulthood. You’re better off now than you would be as a teen

[@clockworkonion520]

@tcooper, I'm 73 this year, and will always be learning. I'd love to be 44 again with all this tech and knowledge available. You've got the world before you. It looks like you could be a fellow Scouser. C'mon you reds!

[@TheGreatConstantini]

I was a career audio engineer. Your video is the first one I have seen that explains compression in a way that beginners can easily understand. Even non beginners often do not understand it fully! You’d make for a good teacher

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

Right like no one explains it they either over complicate it, say slam it or just add it

[@ale.zielinski]

Hello, maybe you can help me, because the video doesn t answer the question of “When do you actually need a compressor? Or “why do you decide to use a compressor, why you should or shouldnt use it?”. Thank you

[@DanielFowlerSr]

Thank you, Akayo. I have been making music since I was 12. I am 61 now, and I really appreciate hearing this from you. You have an auspicious future in this business. Your knowledge and understanding are clean. Your rhythm speaks volumes about your future, but most of all, you taught me something. Great success awaits you in the future.

[@yuumiplayer420]

Never give up

[@UhhCartoons]

Same here, except I am 12 and I just started

[@Tomm-o]

@@UhhCartoonsI wish I was smart enough to get into this at your age! Keep going with it dude!

[@UhhCartoons]

@@Tomm-o thanks, I will 😊

[@john-greyvogel9305]

YOU REALLY INSPIRE ME I'm an older guy (51). I've been using FL Studio since it was called Fruity Loops (late 90's). I'm also a lazy producer and barely use my beloved DAW to its (or my) potential. What you have accomplished since 2016 is a testament to your talent and dedication. I want to be better... Have the fire that I did when I got my first Vestax cassette 4-Track. You and In The Mix really stand out. Thank you for doing what you do. I got so much out of your "make music when you don't feel like it" and the one on breaking out of the 8 bar loop. I look forward to checking out more of your content.

[@heyitsflowee]

Genuinely one of the best music tutorials I've seen. I had no idea how compressors really worked but you explained it perfectly and that analogy is something that I'll keep with me as long as I do music. I appreciate the fact you also did it in ableton to show the difference between the 2 platforms and how simple compression really is. Never stop making videos 👍

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

Hands down the simplest explanation of compression I've seen on KZbin. Earned a Sub.

[@PharezGad]

4:30 THE BEST ANALOGY I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MUSIC. BIG UP LAD

[@emptifiedx]

Stolen from an other youtuber.

[@BongiswaJunior]

Prove us ​@@emptifiedx

[@Zanx-Music]

Cool to see the way compression works when you drew it out, great visuals thank you 🙏

[@Loagz_Beatz]

Sidechain compress your 808 to the melody, your kicks to the 808 and melody, and the rest of the drums to the melody (and hats) and you’ll see what time it is ❤

[@SamuTheFrog]

Dude ive been recording music for a decade now and this was seriously one of the best explainations of compression I've ever seen. Great video man!

[@dawnofshawn]

Amazing explanation, about an issue that is actually prominent among beginners. Rather then just filming yourself create a song while barely explaining any of the terminology and effect of the things you are doing like so many music tutorial videos do. You actually take the time to thoroughly explain things that you need to understand in order to actually get a feel for producing music.

[@Pydou]

This is exactly what they taught me in Audio Engineering course, it's a great explanation

[@bishbondbondhari5924]

Impressive presentation. I'm enlightened and I'm 38 years today. I have to admit i hadn't understood compression completely until now. Keep up the good works❤!

[@NeilKilroy]

Dude you have just explained more clearly about compressors that many have failed to do in an hour

[@j.stribling2565]

Young man, you’re ahead of the curve! Great tutorial, and very nice of you to make your slogan, “Help me retire my parents.” Don’t pay too much attention to the critics, especially concerning the ratio. It is difficult to simplify a topic without someone accusing you of oversimplifying. I thought you did great.

[@Legend-vi4xi]

4:15 the absolute best comparison ever

[@dantepatel]

When a sound is very compressed, it has consistent volume throughout the frequency spectrum. This means that every part of the sound is now audible and no part of it is louder than the other parts. If you really wanna get good at mixing, the best way to do it is to mix vocals. It teaches you these things. Compression is what allows every word to be heard in a vocal. It's what allows the yelling to be as loud as the whispers. With regards to mixing instrumentals, the artistry is seen in the concept of "contrast". And one of the major ways we see this contrast is with "dynamic" vs. "static". It's the entire reason we have drums in music. If every instrument in the song is as dynamic as the drums are, it becomes chaotic and that appeal of contrast is lost. Like if the guitarists in a rock band were only allowed to pluck their strings. Compression is meant to counteract this. And while I do like your metaphor, I think a better way to explain attack, release, and ratio is that you're controlling how dynamic vs. compressed it is. With low attack, high ratio, and low release: anything above the set volume is "squashed"- the sound is fully compressed. But when you experiment with high attack, low ratio, and high release, it's like you're taking that "squashed" version and making it more dynamic in different ways. The "squashed" version is like consistent white noise, but the opposite is like a snare drum (but with reverb at the front, too lol).

[@benjaminstevenson5847]

This is the best way I have ever heard someone explain compression. Thank you so much.

[@robsimpson5066]

Whatever they're paying you, it's not enough. This is simple and pure genius .

[@aaron.ruddick]

You should teach at Berklee. Very clear and easy to understand.

[@Jason-gf4xz]

Aside from the brilliant mad mom analogy, right when I was thinking “don’t rely on the visuals, use your ears” you said it, man! Awesome, your video will be helping lots of people for years to come. 🙌

[@the.punkmonk]

THAT MOM ANALOGY WAS EVERYTHING 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾(from a mom who happens to be the one turning up the volume 🤣)

[@jamiebusch9406]

Your analogy for turning down the loud music was perfect.... thank you!

[@modofobia5626]

Awesome and thank you for explaining compression in such a simple way and for actually giving examples. Keep up more videos like this 😊

[@shanecohn3800]

My Mom was the ultimate compressor growing up!! Very funny, but perfect.

[@imwitdeschyt]

I didn't know any of the technical jargon but I understood how compression worked. My manager at my job said I just have a gift. I look at these tutorials to know what it is that I am actually doing & Every time it makes me that much better because I increase my range of understanding.

[@Mbecks229]

Sir I’ve listened to celebrity engineers explain this and you are the first person that explained compression in a way I could understand and apply. 🫡👏🏾👏🏾Thank you!!

[@moade7933]

Love the Analogy. Very Good video. Hard to forget how compression works now😂😂😂. Cheers!

[@amrendrasingh8611]

We need a series with all this mixing topic in depth.

[@FASTLIFEMEMES]

nobody not gone just give it to you got to earn it

[@flumdinger]

@@FASTLIFEMEMES nobody not gone just give it to you got to earn it

[@FASTLIFEMEMES]

@@flumdinger say it louder for the ones n the back

[@JoelRosario]

Beautifully explained Akayo. The explanation of how to use the attack to let the snare through was quite helpful.

[@U2360TO]

Loved the mom analogy! The effect should be called Mompression to honor your teaching skill!

[@bomaryniuk3639]

I have to say, this is the best ever explanation, shortest and bullshit-free. If you could explain everything else of mixing in this way, this channel would be indispensable. ❤

[@capturethephotons2078]

Golden knowledge right here. Thankyou for the simple, yet useful breakdown. Even hearing what the attack, threshold and ratio do. That transcends to the rest of mixing relating them to the values you set for various mixing procedures.

[@Boxvennmusic]

I rate you very well, your instructions are very easy to understand. I have subscribed and support you

[@itsederrengifo]

This is a nice introduction to understand limiters and expanders as well since these come from the same mechanics. While the compressor "compresses" the peaks above the threshold to reduce dynamic range, expanders do the opposite to increase it, while limiters put a ceiling on the peaks instead of compressing them, that's why devices like the Teletronix can be used for both. With that knowledge, it's easier to understand when to use each. Not everything needs a compressor because if every sound is loud during the whole song, it won't leave space for other sounds to be heard. Good mixing most of the time comes from playing with the dynamic range of the different sounds so they blend together.

[@GRAVYBEATS]

Great content my bro, that analogy was spot on 🔥

[@bigkahunasc]

This is the most straightforward and well explained compression video I’ve ever seen. Definitely going to show this to any of my homies who start making music.

[@RGMusicStudio2024]

You hit the bullseye 🎯 mi Amigo. Awesome video, very smart and precise.

[@vrijrein]

Thank you so much! I make alternative rock music and I started producing my own songs without a band now. This was really clear how you explained it, even though it was not my genre at all.

[@wtfsalt]

It took 5 minutes of this vid to *get* what others have taken literal courses for. brilliant explanation, straight to it. Edited down this could fit in a 20 second short. and that analogy at the end is priceless. I'm glad I clicked ((RARE LMAO))

[@stephenwav]

I’ve been doing audio editing and mixing / mastering as a hobby for 7 years now. I definitely know how a compressor works. I will now go ahead and watch this video.

[@jeffgorman2932]

Great video man, Thank you. I'm getting back into music for me, I used to perform a little and used to be able to have an engineer. As a hobby I'll be my own and this helps tremendously...

[@MyVocalJourney2112]

great way of explaining compression. first time i have understood it. good job bro.

[@soulja21st1]

Maaaaaaannn you the first person iv seen to break it down so crazy like this it really doesn't get much clearer than this fantastic job brother💯💯💯💯💯💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@mikeillgaming4224]

The best compression explanation on KZbin fr

[@Deejaychachi]

Young man, you are really, really good, that was superb explanation. Now I understand much better what I'm doing and looking for when using those tools. Thank You

[@gianni1646]

I too have watched and listened to every tutorial on compression and am still baffled. I had high hopes that this tutorial would be the one that lights the bulb. But, with respect, you do the same thing every other video does. You turn compression “on” on a different bar of notes! And it is impossible to hear a difference. If you were to turn compression on and off on the same notes - a constant chord, it would be easier to detect the change. I do love the analogy of Mom causing compression and I know what threshold, ratio, attack and release are. But like most, I see what compression does but I don’t hear it the way it’s turned on and off in these videos. Thank you for being out there, keep doing what you’re doing. And pickup some new dry markers. 😉 Gianni❤

[@DarkEagleActual]

Keep it up bro and thanks for the advice. I am just starting and trying to learn everything I can about music and multimedia production. Videos like yours help absorb the information in a much more digestible manner. Having a good teacher or mentor is super important for clear delivery and you made it understandable enough that I can understand it immediately. Thanks bro.

[@yungdamewest785]

This Great And On Point I Had 2Learn This On My Own 💯

[@TristanBach-f3x]

A few things about this video that I think should be clarified: (1) Attack is not Delay. The audio DOES start to get compressed _immediately_ after the signal crosses the threshold. What the attack does is determine how quickly the compressor takes _full_ effect. To anyone who's confused by what I mean, check out a video about "ADSR". The "Knee" of the attack determines the curve of the Attack. (2) The explanation of Release isn't entirely accurate. The audio does not get compressed (or "turned down") below the Threshold. The Release is also a slope. The release tells the compressor how long it should take to turn completely off. The reason this is important is, for example: If the compressor was triggered by audio (by going above the threshold), then that signal goes below the threshold, but before it's completely "released" the next piece of audio goes above the Threshold, that second piece of audio will have _more_ compression applied to it than the first. Think of it this way: The attack is climbing a mountain. The peak of the mountain is when the full compression is applied. The release is descending the mountain. When the first piece of audio crosses that threshold, the compressor is starting at the base of the mountain and climbing to the peak, which is full compression. If the second piece of audio crosses the threshold _before_ the compressor descends back to the base of the mountain, then it start climbing the mountain from wherever it's at in the release. So, if the compressor is only halfway down the mountain when the compressor is triggered again, the second signal will sound "more" compressed, because it's starting halfway compressed. This is what engineers mean when they say the compressor needs to let the audio "breathe." If the audio sounds over-compressed, the release time is too long for the audio input. For example, 16th notes on a snare can easily be over-compressed if you have a slow release, because the amount of time between each transient crossing the threshold may be very quick.

[@Mrunknownsounds]

Dude you’re a good teacher I gained some knowledge from this tutorial wow keep sharing your knowledge bro & thank you God Bless🙏

[@GeorgeDimovelis]

great explanation. I used to not be able to tell the slightest difference when i applied a compressor but now i that i have some good headphones i can finally see and hear it. Its actually a very useful tool

[@Jonas_Nxth]

even though I understood compression really good. Your Video gave me even more deeper understanding. One of the best explanations out there for sure :)

[@JWEmbry-wc7qi]

OK, as a very young man you are a VERY good teacher with clear examples. I'm a new sub my friend and thanks for taking time to share this with us.

[@dxboommusic]

GREAT SHARING FULL OF INFORMATIVE TIPS 👍 👌

[@HugomanoMusic]

Very nice and clear breakdown of compression. Extremely useful !

[@heroicdragon]

revising for mocks rn, this rlly helps bro thx

[@LionOfKingston]

Instant Sub 🔥... You making that phone audio sounds like it was recorded with Shure Sm7 . Great compressor work

[@noctucat]

I use that analogy as well! Or the "driving grandma in your car and loud songs comes up" version. 😁 It's a great way to explain it because you wouldn't believe how many people subconciously mistake waveshaping for compression. I literally won a bet over an oscilloscope with a mixing engineer who works for an AA gaming studio. Showing him how hard compression won't make squares out of sinewaves. 😄

[@DaveHuxtableLanguages]

Great explanation. Thank you! The algorithm read my mind - I was about to search for a tutorial on compression when I saw this in my feed!

[@CallmeShadowyn]

Great video, the only thing I feel might of been useful to add instead of the glue compression (because I didnt hear how it grouped those sounds separately from the kick) is perhaps some tips on what to listen for when using compression. Learned a lot in such a short video. Nice!

[@Vstergio33]

The way you explain is very good. I liked the example with mama.

[@tranquilbear3152]

You describe it really well! Stayed for the explanation, subbed for the presentation. Awesome!

[@weiroc]

Attack time is the time how long it takes to full reduction (or sometimes 2/3) of the gain that results from ratio and threshold. Gain reduction starts always immediately and it is not waiting or let something through without gain reduction. With a long attack the effect on the first transients is smaller compared to a setting with a short attack time.

[@FrankieNuggetz]

The way you described ratio could be confusing to newbies. For every 2db get compressed to 1db. Not by 1db. This would mean that 2:1 is the most aggressive and it isn’t. So, whatever the ratio first number passes, it is compressed to 1db. Making the higher the ratio, the more aggressive and the more it compresses.

[@emptifiedx]

He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He watched a couple of tutorials, got his ideas and just added the drawings.

[@themillicow]

What happens is that, using the example of 2:1, the level above the threshold gets divided by 2. I'll use an example of 4db above threshold. With 2:1 compression, 4db above the threshold becomes 2db above the threshold. With 4:1 compression that 4db gets divided by 4 and reduced to 1db instead of 2db. The first number of the ratio is the denominator of the fraction of volume that remains above the threshold. This stuff is pretty simple, but it does need to be explained very carefully.

[@k.c.simonsen2]

As a master of analogies myself, that analog about turning down the music when your mom yells at you is fantastic

[@davidgin8207]

Excellent tutorial for dj/music producer. You made it very simple, but explained amazingly. I'm an O O T too. I've done it all by ear and to play with it in a daw is cool af. Keep doing ya thing, you will get that wealth

[@chucksl21]

Had to subscribe as soon as I heard the mom analogy. Brilliant!

[@Allan-Morrow-AM-Studios]

I think another really important thing to learn is when a compressor is even needed. So many producers over use them

[@doodocina]

5:45 you basically killed the groove. good job.

[@edmorey7935]

Great job young man. Excellent explanation. 👍

[@edmorey7935]

@ still young compared to me! 👍

[@dolittle6781]

Yep, this is absolute genius, fun, and even funny. More analogies in audio engineering would be welcomed.

[@HorntrixMusic]

3:58 Best analogy ever lmao

[@radstachegaming]

Bro legit funniest thing ive ever heard but real af

[@iamnoti6162]

Excellent and very well explained! Thank you!

[@davidstraaf38]

Fantastically explained! Merry Christmas!

[@Citrusbeatz]

Very Brilliant Explanation of how Compression works You've really helped me

[@GaryWimbush]

Very well explained. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@ChaosInGotham]

Good work bro. It definitely helped me out. Would love to see more topics broken down like this.

[@CpawsMusic]

you did a KILLER job explaining compression! took my dumbass YEARS to fully understand it 😂

[@iamqmatic3693]

WOW!!! you really hit this out the park with the mom coming in your room example. good job

[@Markpianist1]

To be clear 4:1 is not when it is"four over it will get compressed by one decibel" it is for every 4db in the sound will be reduced to 1db. I have not watched many of your videos but I think you know what you are talking about. Listening back to make sure everything is correct is also an important part of teaching!

[@DDayter]

Great video. Probably the best one ive ever come across! Well done!

[@vincehamilton9986]

Excellent video! Thank you for this simple, clear description!

[@jaydizzle9509]

Fantastic! You set an example for your generation. 👏🏼

[@kairicoyour1030]

The Ableton section was really helpful to me! I learned a few things, thank you :)

[@akela792]

Good stuff man. You’re killing these videos!

[@markusonsax5939]

What I love the most is that you’re actually using a microphone that is made for speech 😉

[@startingoverbygrace]

You are awesome! This was definitely the best explanation and analogy. 👍🏾💯

[@DeadSkully]

Very useful and knowledgeable thanks for making an easy understanding video for me to better understand and learn production, peace

[@adrianjaramillo9110]

literally just gained a sub from switching daw to daw. u fr the goat

[@noodlemans]

This was an awesome video. Thanks my man for helping explain something that had been going over my head for awhile. Now excuse me as I add a compressor to my signal chain.

[@uffevonlauterbach]

The best explanation of compression I've heard so far.

[@basementstudio7574]

Awesome analogy. I heard a difference when you made extreme adjustments early in the video. But to be honest, later when you adjusted it to your liking and turned it on and off I didn't hear any difference. That probably says more about me than anything else but I'm really trying to hear what everyone else seems to be hearing.

[@sorocsosta2822]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial Sir! 👊

[@lilt41official]

absolutely amazing, spectacular anology

[@nacksmetallic4913]

😂the teenager n the mother explanation is crazily hilarious😅 🤣 and so understandable 😊

[@Valet2]

The IL Maximus compressor is the best I've tried for more than a decade. Keep using it everywhere.

[@tomschlaiss5735]

Nice video, very well explained. Thanks and cheers from Germany