Know This BEFORE Compressing Your Mix

[@Rocknrolldaddy81-xy8ur]

If you really want to be blown away…the math behind the compressor (and gates/expanders) is the same math you would use to calculate the profit loss diagram for various stock options trading strategies. All non-linear systems use the same math… The mind really gets blown when you realize that all these same principles also apply to light…giving rise to Relativity. Implications for emergent time as well…I’m not crazy, I promise.

[@daynemin]

I like to use expanders on my finances

[@Tsa-SONGS-ABOUT-BEING-a-DAD]

You lost me but it sounded impressive

[@James_roy_music]

@@dayneminfunniest thing I’ve read in weeks 😂

[@Comprendre.vst3]

what is more facinating is that the formula of compression is the same as 1 pole filter (it is just "slower")

[@flipnap2112]

best thing I ever did was stripped all of my plugins except 1 EQ, and 1 compressor and limited myself to 8 tracks. Used a multi knob midi controller and spent an entire day twisting knobs on the compressor and eq. spent the day mixing, compressing/EQing. it's truly amazing what you can learn this way. When I went back I noticed I still only used no more than 16 tracks and most of my plugins sit unused... except the compressor, EQ and a few reverbs. Always remember the motto: "learn the trade, not the tricks of the trade"

[@Tsa-SONGS-ABOUT-BEING-a-DAD]

Sounds like very good advice

[@mttlsa686]

I recommend to set compressors and reverb values according to the bpm of the track. It's relatively subtle but it really improves the mix.

[@MichaelSorrentino1]

Another helpful tip: 60,000/(BPM)=1/4 note ms. Example 60k/120bpm=500ms. If you want to know an 1/8th note divide that number in half and so on.

[@CypiXmusic]

I know what compression does, yet i always feel like it's the most tricky effect to actually dial in right. Thanks for the technical rundown and visualisation

[@SoneczKnote]

Thanks Goodness. I was trying to understand this concept on my own for the longest.

[@JiandiP]

I've been looking for curve diagrams as it pertains to compression parameters and was looking for a video like this. I'm starting to understand my compressors by ear with a general understanding of atk/rel/thresh/rat, but this really crystalizing my knowledge. Thank you!!!

[@sageaudio]

Happy to read it's tying it all together for you!

[@ojara]

Amazing video. You are the best teacher in audio! 👌

[@Yuh88888]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Not many understand compression in rhythm is the safest compression and sounds best. Please make a snare compression example as a vocal example and go in depth in it since vocals tend to hit at different beat pockets

[@TheTonyTitan]

This is why so many people simply change the snare instead of trying to compress it (depending on genre, I guess).

[@user-ni5uw5db2g]

Great video!

[@drrodopszin]

BTW, I don't know if the last audio bit is compatible with any of the music you like to make but it would be a pretty fire intro for a "mystical themed" song.

[@mttlsa686]

A question: if I use the expander instead of the compressor, with the right settings, can I make the tail thicker, leaving the transient intact without distorting anything? Is this a better way to achieve the same result of compression but with no distortion on the transients?

[@sageaudio]

That is a really good question! I imagine it would, but, I want to test it out. I'll include what I find in a future video if anything interesting comes from it. Thanks!

[@mttlsa686]

@@sageaudio Great!

[@drrodopszin]

The snare release time is particulary tricky if the drummer is actually a creative one who uses ghost notes or does very fast breaks. Maybe we should set our compressors up on the busiest parts of the mix?

[@mttlsa686]

For really dynamic performances it's preferable to automate the parameters along the track or to simply automate the on/off to activate compression only for the busiest parts. But the final judges are always your ears.

[@neuroxik]

Wouldn't lookahead fix the delayed transient problem? BTW, excellent presentation

[@schmuckeprinz]

I dont think so because the compressor follows your Attack and Release Parameters Like it should

[@neuroxik]

@@schmuckeprinz Maybe, but still inclined to believe that it starts ducking a bit before but that's only intuition. I actually wanna test it now (well, later this weekend)

[@sageaudio]

Yes, lookahead compression can help fix delay transient problems by allowing compressors to react faster to rapid transients, even when set to a slower attack time. This can help achieve a smoother, more natural sound while still capturing fast transients, I have found that the attack should be

[@neuroxik]

@@sageaudio Wow, definitely noting that

[@mttlsa686]

​@@sageaudio I might be wrong but I remember that the lookahead function doesn't "allows compressor to react faster" but it actually slightly delays the audio before applying the same compression (giving the illusion of faster reaction), so you can catch the entire transient with the minimum amount of attack available on the comp (which can't be negative). Same thing when you anticipate the track delay in a daw, it actually delays all the other tracks.

[@Mr.Kinetic]

I can sing the compression for ya all 🎤

[@tundesmart]

It seem that you are suggesting that the sum of attack and release times should be equal to the 1/4 time calculation. Can the maths be used that way? It sounds quite interesting...

[@sageaudio]

I didn't think about it that way, but I see what you mean! I'll have to try that on some more instruments before I'd recommend it, but I imagine it'll sound pretty good due to the quicker release.

[@alexiscabreramusic]

It would be even more understandable if you wouldn’t apply AUTO GAIN. So you can really see the result after compressing.

[@sageaudio]

Thanks for watching! Both snares have the same amount of attenuation, and have been adjusted to have the same peak level post compression. Otherwise, the quick attack/slow release snare would've been much quieter in comparison.