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

[@Akayo_Music]

Made a mistake at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="161">2:41</a> 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

[@the_musician5373]

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!

[@PharezGad]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="270">4:30</a> THE BEST ANALOGY I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MUSIC. BIG UP LAD

[@emptifiedx]

Stolen from an other youtuber.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

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

[@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 👍

[@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.

[@HorntrixMusic]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="238">3:58</a> Best analogy ever lmao

[@radstachegaming]

Bro legit funniest thing ive ever heard but real af

[@Pydou]

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

[@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).

[@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!

[@Zanx-Music]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Mrunknownsounds]

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

[@mikeillgaming4224]

The best compression explanation on KZbin fr

[@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

[@js27-a5t]

I had an 'ah-ha' moment with compression a little while ago. I used to think of compression in a 'vertical' way, as if you have a loud part of a song and a soft part of a song, and compression just makes the soft part louder and the large part softer. It is that, but i realized it's best to think of it in a 'horizontal' way. Let's say you have a track that is one instrument run into all sorts of effects so that there's some kind of loop or some droney sound beneath with a plucky melodic sound on top - on a single track. When you apply compression, it will make the droney background sounds louder, and the plucky melodic sound softer. In other words, compression works a bit like a 'mixer' on a single track - it can change the levels between different aspects of a single track. So obviously it works like this for the whole song when you put it on the stereo out, for instance.

[@GRAVYBEATS]

Great content my bro, that analogy was spot on 🔥

[@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.

[@Boxvennmusic]

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

[@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 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="121">2:1</a> 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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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. 😄

[@LionOfKingston]

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

[@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...

[@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!!

[@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. 🙌

[@bakooryhere3300]

I love how resourceful you are, using your phone as a microphone

[@MrThebigcheese75]

And the sound is fine too, money saved.

[@Citrusbeatz]

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

[@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💯💯💯💯💯💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@vincehamilton9986]

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

[@adrianjaramillo9110]

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

[@Adsterr]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="405">6:45</a> dope bro, would like to lean your process of music production. Awesome video. Your going places! Keep it going.

[@uffevonlauterbach]

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

[@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.

[@jebatman756]

That analogy at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="240">4:00</a> is hilarious!!!! And works!

[@heroicdragon]

revising for mocks rn, this rlly helps bro thx

[@neptunevibe]

Man the only way to tell if you used compressor/limiter correctly is by watching the soundwaves. If everything becomes a solid block with no variation, then you nailed it! Even the slightest difference in dynamic must be annihilated !

[@tranquilbear3152]

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

[@k.c.simonsen2]

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

[@DDayter]

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

[@k.c.simonsen2]

Compression always confused the hell out of me so I appreciate this video. And I’ve been recording music for like 15 years lol

[@Vstergio33]

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

[@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

[@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❤

[@maco34576]

Being able to explain stuff like this is a SKILLm and you have it.

[@timothybrown4213]

The best explanation on Compression I’ve come across.

[@onoesmurlocs]

I've heard attack time works like this , it starts right away but the attack time is how long it takes to reach the full amount of compression dialled in. not that it waits to compress. just parroting what I heard really lol , but it makes sense.

[@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.

[@GaryWimbush]

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

[@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.

[@JustMe-ty9tx]

I love the Analogy!! Hard to forget.

[@akela792]

Good stuff man. You’re killing these videos!

[@MikahTheMan]

I was emulating compression back in the mix craft days and didn’t realize I was doing it. I used to manually go in and turn down the sound waves that were too loud and turn up the sound waves that were too quiet. That is essentially what compression does.

[@Valet2]

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

[@RGMusicStudio2024]

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

[@iamqmatic3693]

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

[@markusonsax5939]

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

[@ChaosInGotham]

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

[@Hiphopandmemes]

You snapped! I feel educated now and therefore i have subscribed

[@davidstraaf38]

Fantastically explained! Merry Christmas!

[@walterpreston9663]

Dude you Da Man🎉 Keep us posted bro

[@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!

[@alexzehnmusik]

You’re the best man, love from India ✌️

[@TheGeekMusician]

thanks for the content, dude. It will help a lot with my own KZbin music productions.

[@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.

[@lilt41official]

absolutely amazing, spectacular anology

[@dylannss8525]

This is so well made! ty ty Keep posting videos like this

[@MixedbyRic]

Great video and great analogy ! Awesome work

[@kairicoyour1030]

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

[@b-louprint]

worth noting that when your release was higher it also changed the groove quite noticeably, cool effect to add more musical accents

[@johnhughes1952]

Excellent. Clearest explanation ever!

[@EvertheWise]

Bro that analogy was crazy good

[@soaribb32]

Never before have I seen and heard such an easy to understand compression. Thank you ❤

[@Tawa611]

Watching the video.Im gonna check your channel because you explain so well.I hope i would be able to be that good in 8 years from now.Thanks!

[@aruddick12345]

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

[@ShimanskiBeats]

the example with the yelling mum is just gold!

[@H34RTFELT9]

The explanation was already great but the analogy about turning down your music made it perfect, thank you bro

[@ig1398]

literally thank u so much for showing both fl and ableton

[@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 ❤

[@jaymzmusic_]

Fantastic explanation, perfect analogy. Great work dude! Also, love the drum samples you’ve got in that DnB track at the end. Where can I snag em? 👀

[@DonJasongarcia]

Love it! Love your style. Thank you so much.😅

[@hozori_tunes]

I thought it was very hard to learn, but learned :) thanks Akayo!

[@DannyDraco]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="390">6:30</a> Huge tip 💯

[@privatej1487]

This is the sort of video I’ve been needing. Instant sub. Thank you

[@dreamline2007]

A compressor is an automatic volume fader. Imagine your fingers on the fader and you turn the volume up or down, instead it’s done automatically for you based on when you say it’s too loud.

[@duarte_almeida_music]

BEST EXPLANATION I´VE SEEN.THANK YOU!

[@fasgamboa]

Great explanation. Something I never really got is why rock/metal mixing uses 2 compressor on vocals, and why

[@Mindset96]

Good Stuff dude! Really enjoyed your video and learned something!

[@kcdrake231]

Thanks very much. Learn much about compression..

[@enzaguiflorisca7609]

Very great job 👏 The explanations are just clearer than water🤝

[@davidroberts5391]

Brilliantly explained, thank you.

[@edmorey7935]

Great job young man. Excellent explanation. 👍

[@edmorey7935]

@ still young compared to me! 👍