How To Use a Compressor (And why the UAFX MAX is a great one)

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0:00 Intro
1:33 Compression Basics
5:49 Attack & Release
9:58 Model Specific Behavior
16:43 Preamp
18:30 Max Features
20:16 He complains about the phone app
22:49 Wrapping up 'features' talk
23:32 Drum Consideration // Oberheim DX
27:25 Sidechain Bass Filter
29:00 Dual Compression on Drums
30:50 Classic Sidechain Pumping
35:36 Wandering Conclusions

[@foxincyansox]

This video is about compressors, but it doesn't help me compress my feelings 😢

[@leftovernoise]

Its jorbin time

[@adampelley4190]

Many are saying this

[@vernonvideos]

@@adampelley4190I’ve heard the circles online discussing this

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@adampelley4190 the streets have been saying

[@fallprecauxionsmusic]

these streets are all jorbed up & ready to roll....

[@RemitheDreamfox]

Great video! I've always wanted to see a video like this, long, chill and detailed as to what each setting does with examples. When I was first learning about compression it it was really hard to wrap my head around it until I got a chance to mess around with a compressor pedal itself.

[@jabberwok777]

Bass guitar is my main instrument, and I fell in love with the LA-2A years ago. I bought the MAX specifically to have an LA-2A in my live rig, the things it does to a bass guitar are almost obscenely sensual. In theory, I can run my synth bass through it on a different channel but I've mostly floundered around and been unhappy with the results. This video is a far more comprehensive breakdown than any of the review videos I saw on release, and now I'm looking forward to plugging my synth in and twisting knobs until it sounds better. Thanks, Jorb!

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🙏I was going to do a short section on bass or guitar, but checked and saw they were well covered. Still wish I had taken the time to set it up for a discussion of feel & sustain...

[@flutesamples]

absolutely sold me one, I was thinking to send it back, but took time to watch this, thank you.

[@pbrninja19]

I like how the zoom view made Jorb look like he had a special Giganto-hand and was holding up a pedal as big as a VCR 0:03

[@JorbLovesGear]

Gogo gadget pedal hand

[@wingoshack]

Nice shot of the Tascam Model 16! That is actually one of my favorite pieces of gear that I own...

[@JorbLovesGear]

It's a banger

[@BatmanWangChung]

Suh dude! What a fabulous video! I always learn so much! Thank you Jorb! ✌️😎

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🙏🫡🫡

[@VacancyOfDisco]

One of my favorite sounds I've made was combining 13 vintage script dyna comps in a single chain to play guitar through. I worked at a guitar shop at the time and had some down time lol

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Staggeringly useful demonstration, thank you!

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🙏🙏

[@RemitheDreamfox]

ITS JORB! I SAW YOU AT THE JORBIES, I HEARD YOU LIKE GEAR. IM A HUGE FAN

[@JorbLovesGear]

Liking gear? No that's just a rumor

[@RemitheDreamfox]

@@JorbLovesGear i am shocked and flabbergasted ;w;

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@RemitheDreamfox YOU'VE BEEN JORBED, I LOVE GEAR AAAAHHH

[@RemitheDreamfox]

@@JorbLovesGear AHHH, I'M GOING THROUGH A ROLLARCOASTER OF EMOTIONS

[@oraz.]

It was rockin with the Juno

[@emilyharpist]

epic vid

[@JorbLovesGear]

me when the vid is epic :

[@fallprecauxionsmusic]

I paused this quicker than you could say, "jorb." why'd I do that? well... just to thank you, jorb. the breakdowns you offer in your vids are particularly clear & are worded & paced just right for the likes of me & my capable, but rather frazzled brainhole. compression is so simple, for some reason, there's some slippery aspects that just make it really hard for me to get a handle on. so, I'm happy that you're addressing it here. so, again, thank you!! & a hap-pee-eee new yeeeear!!

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🙏🙏🙏New year new jorb

[@fallprecauxionsmusic]

@@JorbLovesGear attaboy!! ;-D

[@danieloberhoff1]

Hey jorb. really like your videos and they have helped me in the path and I like your style and what you had to say about beringer. that said here is a point of critique of this one: it said "how to use a cokmpressor" and then it kinda turns into a review of this particular unit. i would rellay like an in-depth compression tutorial as I find compression still kinda mysterious

[@danieloberhoff1]

ok, you do that again in the end, forgive my impatience :) keep it up!

[@bangprints8816]

Great review 💯 I can't have enough great compressors But they must have sidechain inputs It's not an effect, more signal processing.

[@Reroute836]

Turnstile let’s GOOOO

[@Kyle_Noonan]

That shirt is legendary dude

[@Kyle_Noonan]

That aside, of all the videos I've watched on compression over the years, I feel like this is easily the most comprehensive as far as explanation and practical uses. Huge kudos.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Appreciate that, cheers. And yes this is one of my favorite shirts 😅😭

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

I feel the only way I would ever meet Jorb is over a really strong pint of stout , and I don’t even drink.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Hamms on draft, or high life bottles 😂🫡

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

My Name is Mikkel , - and i Love Jorb !

[@JorbLovesGear]

😅🫡 Gear too if I had to guess

[@disconnectpub]

Love you

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🥹🫡

[@ivomatic13]

Jorby Award!

[@JorbLovesGear]

#JusticeForJorby

[@snackweight]

Should do a comparison between this and the Source Audio Atlas

[@JorbLovesGear]

Just a quick search, I hadn't tried one or even heard of it. I see it has a separate sidechain input, that's hype as hell. Need to learn more

[@Grummycanader]

Bummer UA didn’t think to add a blend control on there to mix in the dry signal. With that, this pedal would have been real tempting.

[@JorbLovesGear]

You can use the parallel routing, then have one be clean / ratio to off, but that's a work around, I agree with you.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I have both the electro harmonics platform and the endorphins golden master pedal. The golden master pedal is really nice, since it’s three band and has EQ as well.

[@JorbLovesGear]

The golden master approach is so dope. I briefly had the platform, because I wanted stereo compression on hardware. The flexibility here on max wins me over

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

@@JorbLovesGearyeah the max does seem like a compressor with a bit of character.

[@Dolle_Man]

I recieve the golden master Tomorrow! I have the feeling it’s a better fit, the Max I havent dived into

[@madupaul]

Do you like your Electro Harmonix Platform? I was going for this one because of the super affordable price.

[@iiaaiiaannaaiiaaii]

Hello Jorb, thank you for this video and the thoughtfulness you approach interacting with the music community on a macro level. I have kind of a stupid, possibly unanswerable, question; which I will ask anyway. All of the videos featuring the UA Max I have heard sound a bit flat and "not lively". I'm wondering if this is possibly due to how much KZbin has to compress audio in order for us to stream it reasonably and if demonstrating Compressors on KZbin is difficult due to this. Is this something you have noticed? Was the sound in your studio markedly different from the final KZbin sound? In your experience, does the Max have a lively feel/sound. I know the word lively is perhaps a meaningless descriptor, but I can't think of another way to ask this because I'm not really asking questions like how fast or slow is the attack, etc. Maybe what I am asking has to do with the compressor's effect on the transients but I don't think that completely sums up what I am trying to get at. Thanks again.

[@JorbLovesGear]

In the bit of the demo where I use a drum machine, kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXineJt3i86MY9E , when I specifically find a balance of the input gain + release to let the compressor keep moving, is that what you mean by lively? Or when i drive things with the preamp? depending on what you mean by lively, demonstrating a compressor normally comes with turning things up to be really compressed. therefor less dynamics, less lively... you know what i mean? In showing off how the pedal works, are i and other demos making it less lively...

[@iiaaiiaannaaiiaaii]

@@JorbLovesGear I hope you didn't take my comment as criticism- I was asking questions in earnest. I know a comment section can be slog. The point you made, that demonstrating a compressor is inherently difficult is essentially what I was curious about. Also, I am wondering how you felt the sound during the filming and in listening back on KZbin , which is a heavy compressed medium. Did you feel that had a noticeably effect on the sound? I love Compressors and I am trying to weigh my options for a small, stereo compressor to gig with. The EHX Platform is one I am considering, as well as other more ancient gear. I currently have a Nano- comp I picked up at goodwill years ago at a very good price. Wondering if it's worth upgrading and if it makes more sense to go with a midrange rack unit by WA or someone, for home use instead of spending decent money on something like the Max if the difference in noticeably quality is slight. Also, as much as I like hardware- would I be better off sticking with software. Obviously, you can't answer that for me, don't want to and could probably care less ...hahaha.... I was just trying to reframe my question, as I think my tone may have come off as Jerky, which was not my intention whatsoever. And yes, Lively, is a horrible descriptor, struggling to find a better one. And Merry Christmas/ happy holidays!

[@killroy123]

Can you explain how the Max differs from the Empress Effects Compressor MKII?

[@braien25980]

Sold my DBX 160a today and ordert the Max🍻 DBX160A is sucking too much base

[@goonfish]

Ahhh man, it wasn't until this video that I finally checked in UA's FAQ; the main thing turning me off some of these non-Time Based FX was the "poor" assumption that they were Mono only! But according to UAFX, while they do expect unbalanced connections, they can accept TRS, and have both Mono-I/Mono-O & Stereo I/O - is this true with the Max as well, Jorbie?!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Max is stereo, yes, dual TS inputs / outputs. Some of the new cheaper ones are mono though, and some don't have presets, even thought that FAQ says they all do.

[@goonfish]

@@JorbLovesGear Ahh that must be where I was confused (and makes more sense in hindsight); I thought this was one of the newer smolbois with 1-jack/per! 🤝🏽

[@evekearton7776]

Where did you get the rack for the model 16 mine is currently taking up half my room aha

[@JorbLovesGear]

It's rack ears, then a Vesa to server rack adapter used backwards, then a Vesa monitor arm. Rack ears are official, from zzounds or musicians friend I think

[@iNuchalHead]

How about a video about the Tascam? They've been around a few years, but seem to be more popular all the time. Are they on sale? Particularly good for something? And for you, why the 16 and not the 12 or 24?

[@JorbLovesGear]

It is in the cards, a video just in the tascam (trying to get them to sponsor it😅) The most important thing, I need multi track out for video editing, and id rather not do it over usb, I don't have a pc in my space. This let's me do all 16 tracks seperately onto an SD card. Why the 16, if I record my vocal, my mpc, & 3 stereo synths, that's already 9 tracks. Not an uncommon set up for a full jam at all

[@wingoshack]

I've had a Model 16 for a few months and I love it. Sounds great and I can multi--track my synths without ever turning on a computer. I was thinking I would only need the 12, but it turns out 16 channels is very useful. Also the mixer part of the 12 is digital, when on the 16 and 24 it is an analog signal path before the digital recorder.

[@MB-kx5qs]

How you make the Tascam Model standing upright! Looks cool! Please tell me Details

[@JorbLovesGear]

That's a vesa monitor arm, a vesa mount to server rack adapter used backwards, and model 16 rack ears.

[@MB-kx5qs]

@@JorbLovesGear good idea! Great Channel bzw! 👍Good Video!

[@SlaserX]

The Max is stereo? I wish there were more stereo pedals. It's the thing that's slowed me from getting pedals VS 19" rack effects units

[@JorbLovesGear]

tons and tons of effects are stereo these days, a lot of the existing UA line, strymon stuff, chase bliss has introduced it since the Gen Loss mk2.. its really common

[@panoriginalproductions]

I know people always say that compressors make the loud quieter and the quiet louder, but really? Well, that’s not really true right? Would it be more accurate to say it makes the louder stuff quieter and then makes everything a bit louder depending on the output setting? Love your stuff.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Yes it would!

[@binchsoda]

They should really let u have a side-chain input since it has enough jacks, they should do that in an update

[@JorbLovesGear]

Oooo great idea

[@stopmikeandjim3196]

Compression is still the one effect I can't find a use for in my setup

[@JorbLovesGear]

What's your setup?

[@bangprints8816]

Compression isn't really an effect, it's more signal processing.

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@bangprints8816 I think that's too pedantic, chorus is "signal processing" And part of what I talk about, compression especially when implemented as classic circuits isn't totally pristine, it will color your sound, like overdrive or anything else.

[@stopmikeandjim3196]

@@JorbLovesGear To be fair, most of my experience with trying compression comes from trying to make it work in my guitar chain. Jazzmaster/Strat -> Hizumitas -> Rat -> Loomer -> MS-50G (usually switched off) -> Canyons -> Resound. I've tried putting it before the Hizumitas, before the Rat, and after the Resound. Seemed to pick up string noise and play up reverb tails longer than I wanted. It's been a while though

[@JorbLovesGear]

Any comp will increase clean sustain, which changes behavior behind it. Up to you to decide if accounting in other settings is worth it. I'd put compression after the fuzz before the rat, and depending on results, be ready to never use fuzz + compression at the same time. Fuzz often reacts best to direct output.

[@_c_y_p_3]

4000sek here in Sweden, that is bat shit crazy. Call me a cheap bastard but I would rather just bang my head into a wall till I got the proper sound than drop that much on an fx pedal.

[@dylanhoward718]

Geez I thought I understood compression. This (maybe it's just this pedal.) maybe it made extremely confusing.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Oh no I'm sorry hahahaqq

[@goonfish]

And this isn't going into the endless usability of side hain circuitry, experimental compression techniques (Glue & NY/Parallel outboard Compression, different types of Compressors, Expanders/Companders, the In vs. Out Comp., Soft-Knee, "All Knob" features, etc!

[@schweitzer515]

compress deez

[@JorbLovesGear]

🤪🤪🤪