Magic Compressor Settings for VOCALS

Dial in your vocal compression with these settings for modern, radio-ready mixes.
☛ Learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes with my FREE Mixing Cheatsheet: mixcheatsheet.com
Watch This Next: 4 Magic Frequencies for Mixing Vocals • 4 Magic Frequencies fo...
Music I’ve Worked On: open.spotify.com/playlist/6I7...
Website: hardcoremusicstudio.com
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MY FAVORITE GEAR:
Computer / Interface:
Mac M1 Studio Max sweetwater.sjv.io/anOMOo
Avid Carbon sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQ6M6g
Apogee Duet 3 sweetwater.sjv.io/y2qXqb
Monitors / Headphones:
Avantone CLA-10a sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyMyZ
Audio Technica ATH-M50 sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMON
Microphones:
Shure SM57 sweetwater.sjv.io/daOMy7
AKG D112 sweetwater.sjv.io/Kj0MBy
Sennheiser e604 sweetwater.sjv.io/DKyvWa
Shure SM7b sweetwater.sjv.io/5g5vk3
AKG C451b sweetwater.sjv.io/jre9Rv
Shure SM81 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LnD
Audio Technica AT4050 sweetwater.sjv.io/JzKMqr
Preamps/Outboard:
API 3124 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LRD
EL8 Distressor sweetwater.sjv.io/XYmMd4
Favorite Plugins:
BSA Clipper blacksaltaudio.com/clipper
Escalator blacksaltaudio.com/escalator
Low Control blacksaltaudio.com/low-control
Silencer blacksaltaudio.com/silencer
DSR blacksaltaudio.com/dsr
Waves SSL Bundle waves.alzt.net/dMd4q
Waves CLA Compressors waves.alzt.net/0va0P
Waves Platinum waves.alzt.net/jxz2M
Slate Trigger 2 sweetwater.sjv.io/MmAM53
SoundToys Rack sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyd
Auto-tune Pro sweetwater.sjv.io/OreMYr
Vocalign Project sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyA
Cranesong Phoenix II sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMrz
Instruments / Amps:
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare sweetwater.sjv.io/1r9vDR
Gibson Les Paul sweetwater.sjv.io/B0nvz1
Evertune Guitars sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyM6P
Fender Jazz Bass sweetwater.sjv.io/nLX5R6
Sansamp Bass Driver DI sweetwater.sjv.io/OreM9Q
EVH 5150 sweetwater.sjv.io/4PGvr9
Mesa 2x12 cab sweetwater.sjv.io/75avGA

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

Grab your free Mixing Cheatsheet to learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes: www.mixcheatsheet.com

[@kinghengkeithleung3931]

Blew my mind that this amount of gain reduction is "enough" rather than too much - so helpful, thanks!

[@taylorofficial3297]

Probably you are the greatest production teacher on the whole internet! Thanks!

[@whome806]

Dudes the best free information out here

[@twaltmusic]

Love the visual representations you've been showing recently to get a better understanding of the impact the compression is having. Thanks a bunch!

[@WhiteTheGray]

Dude you have helped me tremendously with so much thanks for the channel man!

[@thesadwolf]

Sweet. I use a Distressor for my vox on the way in. I usually keep it 5 across the board (the manual recommends that as a good starting point). Can't wait to try out your settings!

[@mathewstudio]

I started to watch your videos like a month ago.. I don't make music, I'm a filmmaker, but I really enjoy your videos!

[@mosstet]

Fairplay

[@ShimanskiBeats]

Very useful video, very good explanations, helps a lot! I liked especially how you showed with the waveforms how each compressor does something different

[@jordan17bliss]

The videos are great. Truly. I wish there was less click bate ish terms like "Radio.Ready" or "Pros". You are doing great work, but the youtube thumbnails and buzz terms make some of us feel like Ughhhhh. Just be you man - youre killing it!

[@unicormaidfrankenstein]

Thanks! So great to see how you do this from an un effected signal starting point. Your advice and insight into the processis very helpful! 🦄🧜‍♀️🌭🍺

[@DennisAlvey]

Just discovered your channel. Diggin' it bigtime. Thanks!!!

[@akifakizieleo2364]

I was bout finishing a vox mix literally when this video pop up last night. I've been following HMS for a couple of years now, and last night I was thinking I wish I could see how Jordan does his thing on the way in (I know he's always be using a distressor) and there you go! I do agree bout the blacky vs bluey 76 - bluey is edgier even after you mellow down the settings. On an old vid of this topic, Jordan has said a total of 35db to 40db of gain reduction on compressors is totally normal. Let that sink in guys. The idea, the format, the style. For a beginner, 40db of gain reduction is a unthinkable - absolute madness. With more and more experience doing it, you'll start understand it eventually. I'm not saying this is the only way of mixing a vox - for these kind of genres it's a necessity. Keep pushing guys. Thank you Jordan and happy mixing everyone! 🤟🤟🤟

[@earledaniels4539]

Great video. By the way, your BSA plugins are fantastic. I have Reviver and DSR and I use them all the time.

[@iamthefirsttosecond]

Good lord, those lyrics, mercy!

[@billesposito2112]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@patopodesta3294]

This video is gold

[@guitarplayer5932]

I always had trouble getting the fireplace vocals to sit right in the mix. This helped a lot. I didnt think if going that heavy with compressors

[@scottykomer9992]

Love it.

[@normannutbar424]

Love it man. Long time subscriber and fan. I just wanted to mention that I’m (admittedly) listening on my iPhone speakers, but those vocals kinda vanish into the mix. Sounds awesome with my AirPods though.

[@montipebo8213]

Nice ❤

[@skinnywonderz7181]

Love the compressor trick , thank you , would also love to see the delay effects on the vocals.

[@eweesplace]

He has vids on that

[@GregorPQ]

Great video! Did you try de-essing with Melodyne?

[@RedSeaMastering]

Thanks for so useful info. Could You define "radio ready sound" please?

[@cgsmithinnola]

Wow. I was doing 2:1 or 4:1 - was being way too careful! Thanks for the tips!

[@tsivils1987]

SAME!

[@huberttorzewski]

4:1 is enough most of the time. For overall volume control 2:1 and 3:1 have a softer knee on most compressors so they're better for overall gentle volume control and adding thickness. 4:1 with fast release is adding more agression and top end due to more generated harmonics and harder knee. 8:1 on 1176 is very pushed sounding because the knee is hard and more harmonics are generated and you can add the aggression without compressing as much as Jordan on the video. So there are other ways to achieve the same thing and even with a better sounding result sometimes

[@charlesmaurilio]

Squash those vocals!

[@officialWWM]

You gotta squeeze that thing!

[@sansproductionlounge8083]

Love your stuff Jordan :) I’ll have to give the distressor a go on the top of my next vocal chain. Do you use much MB compression as well? I love using a MB compressor especially on the low end of the vocal controlling 600hz and below :)

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

Only when there's a problem with abnormally crazy low end on the vocal

[@sansproductionlounge8083]

@@hardcoremusicstudio for sure! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with the world. Just amazing man.

[@ferenclucas2842]

Just saw a video😢 for new behringer 369 Does that look good? It sounded pretty good

[@GudlaugurMusic]

I took note from your previous videos on vocal compression. I do not consider myself a great (or even a good) vocalist, in fact I hate singing, it's just out of necessity. But these methods have made me sound pretty damn good considering. People I know have gone whoa is that you? Basically the less it sounds like me the better ha ha.

[@justinreynolds3935]

I love the comments about he should have done this or eq that etc. he was focusing on compression only. One part of the equation. Calm down kids. Also mixing is very opinionated. I think he holds more worth then most of us so be thankful for the info. Also things always sound weird solo'd out. Why you should not mix in solo. Lol.

[@EddySchmidt25]

Yeah bb!!

[@dstagl]

@hardcoremusicstudio What are you using the limiter at the end of the chain for?

[@chriskemp466]

Did you use fast attack on the SSL because that is still slow enough to let the transients through?

[@BobDietrich1]

I have watched many videos about compression. Some use fast compression first then slower later. Others use medium to slow compression first then fast compression later. Does it matter which comes first?

[@whosyabobby]

Bruh. Can you do one on how you would edit/mix the tracks that aren't already perfect?

[@joaoantoniovione484]

not a troll question but if some of these compressors are bringing up the plosives and vocal transients harder... why not eliminate the pop filter at the recording stage and engage a contour/high pass on all compressors?

[@hinesification]

Ever use a vocal rider as well?

[@simonwalker2073]

The AI generated thumbnail is the perfect metaphor for a video like this.

[@joelvandam]

I use a 73-style preamp with an 1176-style compressor on the way in. This sounds amazing but accentuates the sibilance immensely. Any tips on that?

[@HardRocker47]

Yep ! Jordan uses a De-esser after all these compressors.

[@richrude8228]

So….would it be logical to process the vocal with the distresser to start to emulate as if it were being recorded that way? It would save DSP.

[@Fernando-ry5qt]

My gad I've been playing music for more than 15 years and I can not for the life of me catch the subtle differences between compression levels and the blue and black versions of the compressor. Any tips on getting better at listening to the fine details? I already have a monitor setup and I even EQ's them to the room, but I still have a hard time listening to the subtleties

[@sadller]

To really “hear” compression, try to listen on the lowest volume, so low, that some quieter parts of vocals start to disappear. Then, add compression )

[@Fernando-ry5qt]

@@sadller ..... interesting..... that is actually a pretty simple approach I've never considered. I guess that you eventually start to develop a better ear for it and no longer need to dip the volume?

[@mirkomarkovic3438]

How to compress vocals? Sta-Level 40db gain reduction done

[@splinband]

Just do yourself a favour and listen to Bruce Dickinson's isolated vocal track for The Trooper. Blew my mind how compressed it is but it sounds so damn good. Nice vid btw!

[@joa1232]

I don't know whats the difference, but when I use a compressor that hits so much my vocals get muffled and loose energy.

[@davejohnsonmusic]

Curious that you call a Distressor a "transparent" compressor. Most of the emulations out there have 3 saturation modes. Sure, you can back that off, but I feel like people tend to use this as a character compressor, more than a transparent one.

[@greghillmusic]

And he chose to use it to get to a smoother starting point.

[@DaftyBoi412]

The pysical disressor box is an anagloug signal pathed compressor but with mostly digital circuitry doing the gain reduction, and as a result can emulate many diferant styles of compression, both super clean as well as very saturated and coloured, depending on it's settings (and any good emulation should be able to do so too).

[@nooneinparticular9868]

This is a mandroid song I haven’t heard…. I must talk to Steve haha

[@smith42069]

As soon as I see anyone use the phrase 'magic settings' or 'cheat sheet' under the premise of teaching mixing you've instantly lost all credibility in my book. For anyone new to mixing, FYI there is no such thing.

[@WolfNFG]

True, but I look at them as starting points. And I’ve gotten 100x happier with my mixes in 10% the time with these guidelines as starting points!

[@MrKinglith13]

He also says these are just starting points

[@PartyOnDude_]

It gives beginners a starting point to use something they have a very limited understanding of. It's super helpful. He's never said it's a silver bullet and the same settings can be applied to every mix

[@GammaQuadrantStudio]

That’s kinda a moot point come from a random commenter with literally 0% credibility. It’s not about it truly being “magic” or a one fix for all problems. It’s about the people who like the way Jordan thinks about and utilizes compression (in this case) in HIS mixes. It’s about the viewers confidence in the person speaking to them.

[@adamescape2]

Two things. 1) Cheat sheet is the same frequency recommendations as most plugin presets. It’s presented as frequency ranges for beginners, like you. Go check it out. 2) post a link to your work so we can see why your opinion about an engineer with a pretty decent book, should matter. Looking forward to hearing how pro your results are. Super excited about it, thanks!!

[@golbeatspro]

that was uncomfortable

[@heddshot87]

Fr, disappointed

[@kyronnewbury]

Uncomfortable? I'm confused

[@chuckcostello5167]

@@heddshot87 disappointed how? Did this video not explain what he was talking about?

[@golbeatspro]

For me, the vocals got really aggressive, not in a good way that's why it got uncomfortable...

[@kyronnewbury]

@@golbeatspro ya. Solo'd was intense. But he does mix hard rock. But I get where you're coming from now. He didn't really get into de-essing which would fix some of that

[@HRTDEMON666]

Need that de essing vid FORREAL😩

[@heddshot87]

And eq, was harsh 😢

[@eselle]

@@heddshot87 Not in the context of the mix it wasn't. That's why you don't EQ in solo.

[@mitchdeathblossom]

Some nasty autotune editing on that 'you the one' line... 😫

[@maxwellreichart3797]

Absolutely love your videos, but I never work in rock or metal. Would these apply to RnB or jazz vocals as well? Looking for more resources that apply to specifically soul/rnb/funk type mixing but I haven't found many

[@corrosive135]

Try Audio Mountain

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

yes, the compression approach definitely applies. Only the amount changes. The softer / sparser the arrangement, the less you need to slam the vocal to achieve the desired effect.