How To HEAR COMPRESSION - Music Production

In this video, I want to help you hear what compression can do to audio. It's one of the most widely misunderstood topics in pro audio so I wanted to make a longer, slower video really taking time to listen in closely so that you can start hearing what compression is doing. Please ask me anything in the comments. Michael
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Vocal Compression
3:00 - Visual Example
5:35 - Guitar Compression
Full Compression Tutorial - • The RIGHT way to use C...
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In this video, I am using Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones.

[@slapsilla7858]

can I just say how much I value him showing what compression actually sounds like rather than telling me how to turn knobs and examine waveforms.

[@bruellbart2380]

This!

[@idontknow-xf8uk]

Thank you so much Your channel is the best and so helpful

[@CPMusic254]

He explains and shows how and why, others just make you cram values that you don't get explanations on why. hes just awesome.

[@Questary]

@@idontknow-xf8uk his channel is very Helpful

[@Questary]

@@bruellbart2380 Indeed

[@dd23537]

6:56 Micheal: "Getting this to sit, IN THE MIX..." 😉🤣

[@azomyte]

This guy could talk complete gibberish but his voice would still make me feel like everything's gonna be ok

[@pastorkspeaks]

FACTS!!! LOL

[@Mr.Cactoos.]

coz he know how to compress his audio.. :P

[@ar_snl]

Seriously.

[@Memper]

He could literally tell you he's gonna murder ya but still feel like everythings gonna be ok lol

[@vfxgolden]

FR LMFAO

[@Azerothz3on]

Can't believe all these Michael's videos are for free.... thanks Michael.

[@Questary]

Yah If I Was Him People Would Be Paying 50 Dollars For one Word I Said If I was Micheal lol

[@Windklang705]

yeah Michael is insanely generous

[@brushot]

Well there is ads

[@brushot]

But that's okay

[@pheenix5653]

I really need this because I just put OTT on everything

[@yony_music]

lol😂

[@raxi9619]

Oh no. It's spreading!

[@JanithHarinda]

You are a Dubstep Guy

[@radioptix4305]

No bad thing!

[@mythism3467]

OTT is a compressor that just glues up the dynamic range and doesn't sound good on drums

[@_XRMissie]

One thing I do love about all these tools, is that if you REALLY wanted to, you could just do all this stuff manually through automation, even if it'll take until the heat death of the universe. I'm glad you mentioned that at 7:47. Folks, don't be afraid to push a compressor harder either. There's a time and a place to crush the life out of dynamics, but most importantly... If it sounds good to you in the context of the mix and the genre, keep it.

[@Questary]

Yah I Could Not Have Said It Better Myself

[@ericmaher4756]

A combination of both with local compression or even locally adjusting volume on the most extreme spots would also maximize the naturalness of the sound when that’s what you’re looking for.

[@_XRMissie]

@@ericmaher4756 This, exactly this. Nothing can beat a human touch when it comes to music dynamics. Sure, put in a compressor to squish the sound a bit, but in sections of a song where you need those dynamics, a simple automated volume adjust before the compression stage (with perhaps a makeup gain stage after compression) will do wonders.

[@pedalo_beatz446]

Please don't laugh at this lol !!! : I was watching the video on my laptop & at some point I paused it,came back & I pressed [ CTRL + S ] to save the project !!! 'Cause my brain saw a project that needed to be saved loll ...Completely forgot that,I was on KZbin....

[@Windklang705]

Lol brains do what brains do XD

[@2ero2nin3]

happens to me alot lately; i ctrl+s allthetime no matter what im doing :D

[@pastorkspeaks]

Lol!!! Sorry i had to laugh because it's true lol

[@FortuneBeatz]

I save even when I'm out my daw hahahahah

[@aldistoteles2919]

Hahahaha

[@bernardmenigon3162]

I was surprised when I realised you actually made me close my eyes for a few seconds. Very relaxing experience in these days of computer dominance.

[@eggladoid2215]

Damn that lofi was so chill 😍 i love longer videos like these

[@Questary]

Yes These Longer Videos Of is Actually Are Very Fun To Listen To

[@wheresmydrink4552]

Your voice is so calming. I'm a guy, but if I ever gave birth, I would want you to talk me through it.

[@PK-uj8mp]

what

[@collinreagan9473]

I was literally just looking for a video like this. What amazing timing

[@perfectpitch2506]

Me 2.Looks like god tells him on the next topic for the video😂😂

[@Questary]

Nice

[@unquieteagle4953]

Me too

[@Windklang705]

It was requested a lot - I think it's amazing how he comes back to the actual needs of his community. He really cares for us

[@manishmaity]

This person is the best mentor I swear. Have been following these two guys since there were maybe 200 300 followers in this channel. The best thing is - The neat way Michael puts up things. The cleanliness & attention to details is what I simply admire the most. If you like things clean, this is the best place to learn. ** Honestly I can already visualise where this channel is going go down the line. Just don't know when I can be back in music with so much passion & break this pattern of traditional 9 to 5 job Anyways, Loads and loads of love ♥️ God bless

[@Questary]

He Is And I Should Just Say This Micheal Deserves 10 Million Subs

[@Windklang705]

It's amazing to see people who have been sticking around from the very beginning! Do you know there is an established community Michael built on Discord? If you are interested, you can find Michael's invite link on his video about free instrument plugins from June 20th. Id love to meet u there

[@perfectpitch2506]

Never clicked faster in life Edit:Today I was looking for how to hear compression and set your ears for hearing mixing! Thanks Mike❤❤

[@normallochie7390]

It took me at least four or five separate views of this video over the course of a few weeks to actually hear the difference but now it's so obvious. I can't wait to use this in my mixes, thanks so much.

[@thomasshaw3760]

I was in a trap of looking at the needle more than listening to the result. Meters are useful, but they can tie you to the 'rules' too tightly and mixing by eye instead of ear. I think when I started, I was struggling to hear what compression was really doing, but then did some research and a whole lot of listening, and the results are all the better for it. Glad to hear you're hearing progress. Nice listening exercise and great channel 👍

[@erichschlender857]

IMO you do a better job of explaining how compression works than any other video I’ve found on KZbin. Thanks!!

[@petersim6725]

So great to see you working with IL now, well deserved!

[@Windklang705]

agreed!

[@valleysoundboy]

These brilliant tutorials are helping me get much better results. Your skills as a teacher are pretty incredible. Thanks man.

[@idanshilv3565]

Finally understood compression and how to hear it, thanks Michael!

[@Windklang705]

Congratulations! Now we gonna hear u compress stuff

[@Shaedytm]

Great job Michael. I have been waiting for a video like this especially after watching your video on compression. Keep up the good work :)

[@joeyrabz1616]

You are amazing Michael... I've always heard people explain concepts of tuning music but never really grasped what knobs I needed to tweak to get a certain sound and feel.. I just got it now. Again man🙏 thank you. I recommend you to people.

[@frubo_ssg]

One of the best audio channels on YT I found within >1 year of searching - profound and easily understandable explained. Thank you so much Michael for sharing your nowledge with us.

[@daemilee1497]

finally found the tutorials I needed! :D I was able to engage training my ears because of this, and the ways you use words to describe a certain sounds made me understand this course more

[@user-or1qr8si1d]

Thank you Michael. First class master class! Your lessons teach me everytime.

[@PevsnerOG]

This video was very clear and helpful. Your descriptions of what to listen out for were so good I could clearly hear the differences even on my mobile. Thanks.

[@Windklang705]

I love how over time with all your videos and explanations I have learnt to hear a lot of stuff without actually doing production myself. This helps me a lot to communicate with my collaboration partners since I can feedback our own collaboration better as well as understand what absolutely amazing skill set they need to do what they do.

[@geoffdavis9681]

This is the best explanation of compression I've heard. Thanks Michael!

[@DJRSILVAPT]

I have been loving all your content! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge.

[@mitch60mccoy]

Wow. Thank you for making compression use in both vocals and instruments (guitar) so clear! The video was a bit long, but it needed to be. Great verbal, visual, and audio descriptions to make it very understandable. Well done! I've been struggling to understand compression, but after watching your video, I think I really understand the big picture for the first time. And I also appreciated your approach to making each track or instrument work within the context of the total recording. Great, great video! Thank you again.

[@camilocastillon]

Thanks, I'm currently working on a track that needs a fine compressing and this tutorial helped a lot and clears out some confusions. ❤

[@auralsunrays9229]

Another great video! Nice loop you made there. The way you make seeing and hearing compression possible here should be very useful for many. For me personally, compression was the most difficult effect to fully understand and hear properly when i started to get into professional music production.

[@Matell]

I love how you explain mixing, it's not overwhelming for me

[@contraslaps]

This is the best explanation I've ever encountered on compression in my 10 years of producing/watching tutorials. Thank you for being so thorough and spreading your knowledge!

[@eusebioraulucsantos9139]

This is actually the first video that i watched on "how to hear compression" that actually uses compression in the context of the mix, thank you for that!

[@NoisieBastrdd]

i find compression to be the most challenging aspect of music production. Your videos are helping so so much you have no idea. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Mike

[@Lional111]

Bro your videos are always amazing! Thank you for all the good things you've done❤

[@eternal___official]

very nice analysis! 2nd vid in a row that you doing a great job! subbed!

[@Robay146]

Great topic selection Mike.

[@h.x.e.official]

Thank you Michael, your videos have been really good and informatical for learning. I just signed a release for my track in a record label, which is amazing because I just started and bought FL studio on April 2020 :) I have studied a lot from your videos. Even my genre is different, your channel provides valuable information for all who are interested of music producing.

[@jimcassler]

This is very useful and helpful, truly gives me an understanding both visually and sonically what compression does!

[@terrybarnett4109]

Fantastic video...thank you. You have simplified something that is so often presented in ways that the effect on the audio is hard to discern. Much appreciated.

[@ammartarakji8553]

This tutorial came at the right time. I did a DJ set today, then processed it before uploading, but I think I ruined some of the parts completely. This is definitely a necessary video to understand compression and make better music in the future.. Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@briankingart]

Very worthwhile time spent here, learning compression. Thanks, Michael, again!

[@maitreverge]

Thanks again for your work Michael !

[@marufhasan4530]

Thank You Homie❤ In the mix❤

[@wethemprod]

Who needs mixing courses, Michael is the mixing engineer we all needed.

[@Postinit]

All these Ear training videos are really great keep up the good work Michael :)

[@chrisricetopher21]

This stuff is invaluable. 100% my new favorite channel…. And I watch an ungodly amount of other people’s content lol

[@ptmsoundbwoy7418]

So much detail in this, thank u Michael

[@malcolmsounds645]

Great video man!!! The explanation and visual helps with understanding. You're a good instructor.

[@thorstenkellner]

Needed this one. Love your calming way to explain! ❤️

[@Questary]

He Explains Very Calmly And It Makes Me Know That He Knows What he Is Doing

[@raghuveerrintu]

Hey Micheal I have been following you guys from years and I really love how you guys mastered the art of making music.i have been through your progression and I really love the videos you made on how did your filmed your song "Sparks",how you have build your studio yourself from scratch..etc, But am really Sad that None of the videos are available now. Those videos inspired me to step into making Music. Please make all of them available Brother.

[@elliottheal4776]

Dude this humbles me so much

[@dimitriskovaios]

I am really glad that in your two videos about compression, you don't talk about gain automation of the tracks! Fixing bits of a recorded take feels more like an actual performance enhanced with processors. Why keep a really bad take and turn it into something completely different after all? Very nice and informative videos about compression, thank you for sharing!

[@phkbass]

Great tutorial! Exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[@lengylmt4312]

This is perfect tutorial Michael I struggle with my compression and sometimes I don't even know what's causing the clipping but this video has just pointed out alot to me

[@charleswhitacre8802]

I was just looking this up and now the best mixing tut series posts a video about it! Hell yeah!

[@Windklang705]

It was requested a lot in the past. Michael is listening close to the communities needs

[@nicolasgalipeau3632]

Your videos are insanely useful and well done, thank you so much!

[@4.0.4]

Thanks for making a large difference to show what to hear for, and still say it's ok if we can't hear the difference. This really cleared up what to hear for, and made me feel a bit less dumb!

[@Fatfingertunes]

Always so helpful... I've always been so heavy handed with compression, not really understanding fully the more subtle aspects. Thanks again, my friends think I'm a genius.

[@pixelmusic3121]

In the mix is such a great channel Where you get the secrets which other producers don't disclose

[@emiliosoria106]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in such a plain way. Great YT channel 🙌🏻

[@appltron1827]

I literally get so hyped every time you upload. Thank you so much for all you do for us ❤️

[@Questary]

I Too Feel That Hype And Amusement

[@Windklang705]

And he is doing so much more! If you wanna connect with Michael and his community more, I'd love to invite you over to his Discord Server where the community is vividly engaging. If you are interested you can find an official invite on Michael's video on free Instrument plugins from June 20th. I would love to meet you there.

[@TheVersionController]

From one teacher to another, you are a very good teacher. Thanks

[@Windklang705]

From a third teacher: I agree.

[@parisambush1122]

This help SO much, thanks man!

[@theriddick2735]

I always struggled to grasp shat the attack and release of compression was for but this has really helped me understand what they're for. Huge thanks for the tutorial.

[@mojsterr]

Dude I love what you teach. Thank you for the help.

[@randomuser66438]

You have amazing skills. It's a joy to learn from the best! Thank you!

[@manuelgarzon990]

Nice tutorial man!!! Thank you!!!

[@kshitijbansod]

This man is a legend, thanks a lottt. I really mean it.

[@Madbroandrewofficial]

ur channel is a gem!

[@xathomir]

I was just looking for a video on compression and you posted this! Thank you!

[@Windklang705]

It's been so highly requested

[@Questary]

I Listened To You Speak And Explain How to Listen To Compression And It Helped Me Son Much With My Instrumentals, they No More sound Like Some OverHead Beats That an Make our ears Bleed, Even Though You Explain To Us How To Hear It But It Helped Me Know How To Compress And Make My Music Sound Like Music Thank You So Much Micheal God Bless You Man! Micheal You totally Deserve each And Every Subscriber You Get, And I Am One Of Them To Let You Know Because Not Only Did I Sub but I Am Officially A Fan Boy, I Will Do What It Takes to Make Sure People Know more About You, The Get Information From The Music You Make And They Truly Realise That Music is More Than Just Beats Put Together Its Art That A Person Like You Can Explain I Wish i Could Meet up With You In Real Life And Steal Your Knowledge From your Brain because As A Teenager My Music Does Not Compare to Anything You Are Making Literally my Music On My Channel is Just Absolute Rubbish, But As I Learn from you In The Course Of 2 months I Finally Can Say You Are A Music KING In MY World #Inthemix

[@WhoIsQuestary]

Good

[@zaneleafellowgirl5701]

Good to Know He also Helps me

[@abashwevibes3217]

yah He Helped ME As Well

[@crimecoastparadise9856]

Yah He helped ME Make Proper Music

[@rockstarsouth5648]

Yah I Heard our Music It Sounds Amazing

[@MEnne12719]

Thanks for this tutorial! Now i finally understand how to set compression in my tracks

[@phadrus]

This is one of the best compression tutorials on the Internet. Great job and I come back and listen to this every once in a while to tune my ears better.

[@inthemix]

Thanks Chris! When you start applying it to your own tracks, it'll probably all make a lot more sense :)

[@W8LL13]

Another great tutorial Michael!

[@pushumonster]

Thank you so much for this ear training ! I really struggle at hearing the changes a mix can make so it's very helpful

[@theycallmeheat]

*these* are the videos we need!!!

[@massimosammi]

Fantastic tutorial, so useful and clear!

[@kiliankraus]

such a useful video, I always have problem hearing effects and this is so so helpful - thankyou

[@andreasforsberg-innovation980]

Great teaching! Love your videos man! 😊🙌

[@G-Doggy]

Excellent explanations, as usual. Thanks!

[@dougietrueman]

Excellent tutorial. Really learned a lot from that! Thanks.

[@smegga24]

Your videos are very helpful. You the best

[@lukecurran774]

Brilliant video, very well explained examples! Thanks!

[@lieutenantpepper2734]

Thank you for making us better engineers everyday

[@Windklang705]

true words!

[@zelenyy4960]

Amazing work. This was so easy to follow along to. Thank you

[@Questary]

yah And I Am So greatful To Know A Lot About This That there are people like him on earth

[@xenofi1128]

Another great vid! Thanks bro!

[@jackbaird3916]

Thank you so much for this!

[@Keroser1983]

Thank you Michael as always

[@Bertilsdotter1]

You explain this i good way. Keep up the good work.

[@RLNDMUSIC]

Thank god you’re a life saver, literally needed this ty :)

[@fabiofazmusica]

Wonderful Explanation and samples man

[@minershurman]

Finally after 6 years of self learning someone explains things like their should be. Thank you for you work❤

[@SilentTravelers]

Dude, this is so good! Thank you for the thorough explanations and using examples that can be heard easily! For anyone that is completely new to compression or just trying to further your understanding of compression, I highly recommend you watch this video! Really gets into the nitty gritty details while keeping things so simple and easy to follow.

[@Questary]

I Wish he Had Around 10 Million Subscribers Because Honestly People Need To Know What he is Explaining

[@Windklang705]

@@Questary Quality over Quantity - that's Michael

[@elephantface8793]

these videos have helped me alot...big up yo

[@nour7light]

Thanks man I finally understood that compression is a more simple way of volume automation.

[@NewGenChristian]

Amazing tutorial your explaination is the best

[@yony_music]

Great Video! I already knew how to hear compression before watching this video, but the way you explained it is just amazing! Compression in probably the hardest effect to hear, and I remember when I started out about 4 years ago I had no clue of how to hear compression and when to use it, so I just ended up not using it at all. I think this video will help a lot of producers and especially beginners out there!

[@Windklang705]

Yes I feel like by watching/listening to all of Michael's videos my ears have been trained a lot already, but this specific training is even more particular to train your ears.

[@davidbrookes9424]

Legend. You know how to teach. Thank you.

[@pratik_cub3x926]

You are the best teacher. 🙏