Master Bus Compression: Hardware vs. Plugins

➡️➡️Waves SSL G-Master Bus Compressor: waves.alzt.net/dqG3W
➡️➡️IK Multimedia T-RackS Bus Compressor: imp.i114863.net/N5Ga2
➡️➡️Plugin Alliance - Brainworx bx_townhouse Bus Compressor: www.plugin-alliance.com/en/pr...
➡️➡️Plugin Alliance Vertigo VSC-2: www.plugin-alliance.com/en/pr...
➡️➡️Focal Clear Pro Headphones: imp.i114863.net/J9q2a
➡️➡️Learn more about Master Bus Compression here: producelikeapro.com/blog/mast...
Today, we are going to talk about Master Bus Compression. Many of you know about the magic SSL Bus Compressor, because it is probably one of the most copied bus compressors on the planet. From around the 1970’s until about the mid-2000’s, this was the console was used to mix nearly every record, and its recognizable sound can be heard on many, many great records.
Now, I do have an SSL console with an SSL 4000 Bus Compressor. What we are going to do today, is we are going to talk about how you use the compressor on a console, some of the most familiar settings, and then we are going to look at some of the plugins that are out there. We will get a feel for these plugins, see how they compare to the console and to each other, and just generally learn how mixers use master bus compression.
Below are the four different master bus compressors we will be testing out and comparing today:
Waves SSL G-Master Bus Compressor
This plugin is based on the renowned master bus center compressor of the SSL 4000 G console, and works to capture the unique sound of the original hardware. The original compressor is prized by engineers for its ability to “glue together” tracks, and now you can access all that power in the form of a plugin!
IK Multimedia T-RackS Bus Compressor
IK Multimedia invented T-RackS in 1999, and since then it has evolved into a very powerful mix and master modular system. T-RackS has tons of versatility and firepower, and gives you everything you need to professional treat and finalize your audio from raw mixes to a finishing product ready for upload or printing.
Plugin Alliance - Brainworx bx_townhouse Bus Compressor
The original Townhouse compressor was built in 1978, by the legendary Townhouse Studio engineers, using console components supplied by Solid State Logic (SSL). This plugin recreates that legendary compressor!
Plugin Alliance Vertigo VSC-2
The original hardware Vertigo VSC-2 Quad Discrete Compressor built its reputation on the four, custom hand-built discrete “1979” VCAs used in its design. This plugin captures every nuance of the hardware version, and puts it right into your DAW.
Each of these plugins has their own attributes, their own sounds, and their own strengths. On different mixes, you may reach for a different plugin. What it comes down to is knowing your tools and what they do, so you can always choose the right one for you mix.
❤️My Favorite Plugins:
➡️Waves MV2: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Waves RBass: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Renaissance Vox: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Renaissance Compressor: waves.7eer.net/c/1205870/2868...
➡️Warren Huart IR Pack lancasteraudio.com/shop/ir-pa...
➡️Warren Huart Kemper Pack lancasteraudio.com/shop/kempe...
❤️GEAR:
➡️Stealth Sonics: stealthsonics.com/?aff=3
➡️UK Sound 1173: vintageking.com/uk-sound-1173...
➡️Apollo x16: u.audio/apollox16-plap
➡️Apollo Twin: u.audio/apollotwin-plap
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[@Producelikeapro]

How do you use Master Bus Compressors in your mixes?

[@omnijack]

“Aggressively” (Edit: see “excessively”)

[@aaroncampmusic]

You are the best, Warren!!! I have an Audioscape G stereo Buss Compressor that lives on my mixbus along with my Wes Audio Prometheus. I pretty much leave mine at 2:1, 10ms attack, auto release with a fixed side chain engaged. Grabbing around 2-3db on the meter. Most mixes, that does the trick - I never really touch it!!!

[@efnerva664]

I like to throw the SSL Bus Compressor (the plugin made by SSL) on mixbus before I start mixing. It makes normal faders feel musical.

[@MarcBecker_Music]

I use a Tegeler Audio Manufaktur Creme, compression into EQ. Medium to slow attack, medium to faster release, Ratio set to 1,5 or 2, often with high pass in the side chain and EQ set to a smiley curve into a Tegeler Varti Tube Compressor also medium to slow attack, medium to fast release. Threshold / Input on each compressor is adjusted to do not more than 1 to 1.5 dB of reduction.

[@alexeypolevoybass]

I usually use Harrison's built-in compressor with 2:1 or similar ratio and high threshold before any stereo imaging and maximizer/limiter. I don't like a lot of compression on anything, it makes everything sound boring and lifeless if overdone. If that doesn't work, I use OvertoneDSP bus compressor or just give up on it, using Harrison's multiband compressor with more aggressive threshold and ratio settings, but with very soft knee (think 12 dB and more). Nothing really special. Bus compression is a thing where subtlety is the key, really. I hate modern overly compressed mixes that just pump like hell and make me think there's something wrong with my audio setup. Compressors are for polishing dynamics, not for killing it.

[@BD-me4nk]

One thing is clear, Warren has incredible ears for details. I don't even know what I am listening for until he says what's happening then it's crystal clear. Amazing

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much B D!

[@Producelikeapro]

@Gerhard Schöner Thanks ever so much

[@moonman6113]

Thats what i didnt get why use compression and how until i started using my ears :D After i realized that music all you have to use is ears and not eyes my production went up to another level :D Try to use eq without watching frequencies just using your ear :P

[@MakesiJosephRiddimRider]

yup... it's easier to hear compression on headphones too

[@trapbeats9518]

Now you just made me more confused.Thanks

[@showerstudio]

I love Warren's face when he says "Townhouse sounds pretty special." Like a sommelier tasting great wine. 🙂

[@KissySellOutOfficial]

Big ups to Warren for this! Just wanna chime in with a crucial extra tip for an SSL (which took me untold months to figure out myself!) - the SSL has a VERY soft knee... this is important to understand because people often don’t mention what input gain-staging they're doing pre-compression. Many in-the-box electronic music producers like myself will focus metering plugins on the peaks of drums and percussion - using limiters/saturation/clippers to avoid >0db overs. However, analog gear is intended to be fed a “unity gain” signal into it - which in short means a headroom of 18db on a VU meter (not a peak meter!). Therefore, with a 0db threshold, I often find that I have to decrease the input volume by as much as -24db before using one of these, in order to achieve a “gentle” compression effect. This also explains why the threshold of an SSL goes through positive numbers up to +15db on the threshold. For some reason, online guides and tutorial videos almost never mention this fact, and without knowing this I was totally confused about how to use an SSL buss compressor without smashing a percussion track to pieces with way too much volume going into it. Seeing the compression needle jumping wildly when the threshold is at 0db can be super confusing if you don’t know about the soft knee effect. Unlike most other compressors out there, an SSL will start compressing the signal way before the volume gets anywhere near 0db, so I hope I can save some others the same confusion by commenting : ) So there you go, old school producers may think this is obvious, but for me this was the golden nugget of knowledge I needed to get that classic vibe going in the studio.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing that great gem! I really appreciate it!

[@kennyschabow]

dude that just made so much sense. Thank you. I have wondered that for a while!

[@architechproducer]

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty much in the same boat.

[@graxjpg]

Thanks for this!!

[@entrancemusicofficial8550]

Yeah, that's true. A long time ago, when i bought VSC2 from brainworks, the first thing i do is "Read The Manual". It is mentioned that VCA compressors have a very soft knee and softness depends of imput signal that driving compressor. That manual actually applies to VSC2 but, i found that its also apply to other "Well modeled" solid state plugins...

[@thesearethesuns]

“Everybody knows... it’s grooving, it’s moving...” I really need to hear the rest of this song! Nice work! 😀

[@dayanarrapantig]

warren always gives a good vibes. I dont feel bored or sleepy while learning a lot from him! god bless always :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@eljuanchosf]

Two years later and this is (probably) still the best video on bus compression I've ever seen. The detailed explanation and step by step exploration of the plugins and the effect of the parameters is amazing. Thank you, Warren!

[@LesVegasMusic]

Well done Warren! Thank you for showing us the bus compressor in action on your console! I've watched many videos on this topic over the past 10 years and this is one of, if not the first to show the actual console itself in action. Good to hear what a genuine 1986 SSL G master bus compressor sounds like. A very rare treat indeed! Thanks again! ✌🏼❤️

[@christiankramer1853]

Thank you for looping correctly, this is so important in listening.

[@anthonyb1247]

One of the few instances where I've seen such a minute difference change the sound clearly and effectively in a tutorial. Cheers!

[@airplay6475]

I work since 10 years with the SSL Compressor, but your video with the sidechain is a gamechanger. Thank you so much for that!

[@famosguider205]

You have literally demystified option anxiety by saying that we must know our equipment when having many options. Thank you

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic! You’re very welcome

[@michaeltablet8577]

Thanks again for all you do. I know I give that comment often but when I think of all I have learned from you I can never say it enough.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! You are so welcome! Thanks ever so much

[@MarcBecker_Music]

Great video. What I really like about this video is learning a lot about the differences between certain SSL-style compressor models and getting some ideas about what sources and purposes they can be useful for. Thank you, Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

HI Thanks ever so much! Glad it was helpful!

[@AlexeySolovievMusic]

What a wonderful video! Thank you so much warren for making this one! I really love watching videos on plugins VS hardware!

[@andrewwalls2329]

Thanks for this, Warren! I recently got the bx_townhouse on sale from Plugin Alliance, and now I'll be using it with much more confidence. All the best!

[@TLW4118]

Warren, I absolutely love your videos and you’ve been a wealth of information for me the past years. Just wanted to say thank you and I appreciate you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much TL!

[@AlexanderLindo]

Great video demonstrating the differences between various SSL buss compressor emulations. Rock on Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@CantAffordToRecord]

I've literally been researching this topic all last week so this is marvelous timing 🙌🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Glad it was helpful!

[@ELLIOT8209]

@@Producelikeapro I think a ratio is just a fraction. E.g. 4:1 is just a quarter of whatever signal value above the threshold. If the signal is 4db above the threshold, you get 1db going through. With a ratio of 10:1 you'll get 0.4db going through based on the above example.

[@AlexanderStemkowski]

Aye. Mastering a new album right now :)

[@Aldorelaxingguitar]

Warren, Thanks for breaking down the various usage cases for working with bus compressor along with demos of each, this was very educational and now leaning towards one of them!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!!

[@____saintgabriel____]

love all your videos! ever since i’ve been watching my mixes have gotten way crispier and louder

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Erxs! Glad you like them!

[@TheOziBattler]

Thanks, Warren. Another great video. And thanks for showing us the side-chain on the Townhouse. I guess I knew it was there, but I never actually used it! This is my favorite buss. Thanks!

[@acommon]

Wow! What a great deep dive into this topic. I've always avoided bus compressors in the past. I can't wait to apply this to a mix.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Alexander!

[@feracedomusica]

Ten years late i understand the ratio control, all the tutorials explain this point bad, thanks Warren i really love you!

[@fakshen1973]

Thank you so much for doing this. I love that you're using several different boxes and showing us the difference; including analog variants. If you shoot-out any other gear... this is the way to go... just emulate this format. I also like that you took the time to show what "too much" or sounded like. I like the TRax the most. To me it sounded brighter and that felt right for the retro track.

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very welcome! I love them all! For different things

[@AKAtAGG]

I sometimes watch other producers tell me things on KZbin. they change a thing and I'm like, meh. nothing happened. Warren does it, explains exactly what he's doing and why, and before you know it (after hundreds of videos) I'm like, should change [this] to [this] before he does it and THEN HE DOES IT and I am like woah. I DID learn stuff! EDIT: I should add that in the beginning when Warren explains what 4:1 actually means is literally the first time I've ever heard it explained so efficiently. There's nobody I've seen on YT who can explain things so incredibly detailed in such a way that makes it easy to understand instantly. Great work, as usual.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow!! Thanks ever so much!!

[@DeepFriedHallelujah]

Agreed. I initially got into this stuff ten years ago but only dabbled because I couldn’t wrap my head around things like compression ratios, attack, etc. Today was the day that changed. I now get the basics lol. Warren is my favorite teacher on KZbin!

[@AutPen38]

I happened to watch a video yesterday about glue compression with T-rackS and the guy that made it didn't seem to understand what threshold or ratio meant. He even showed a handdrawn graph (which he admitted he didn't understand) that had the threshold on the wrong axis! He then proceeded to demonstrate compression by setting the threshold so high that the needle didn't even move and yet claimed "It sounds so different" when he pressed the bypass button. I thought he was trolling, but apparently he believed his own hype. Warren's explanation and demonstration makes a LOT more sense.

[@AKAtAGG]

@@AutPen38 haha yes i see so many doing almost exaxctly this so often. 'You might not hear it without a treated room or thousand dollar headphones, but trust me, it changed'. Yeah ok.

[@ismaelcortesjr9281]

what I love about your Videos is , even a beginner like me can follow along and not get lost . thank you for this

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@chrishopkins209]

I use Reason and was really pleased that they made the Master Bus Compressor available as a rack extension. It’s part of my default chain for when I track bass

[@tripwillie2]

Thanks Warren for such a great lesson. You cleared up some confusion for me and now I have better understanding of which tool to use for the different jobs at hand. Many Thanks !

[@MartinLuxen]

I'm happy you're explaining this and also telling us what to hear. Sometimes it's so subtle, but indeed you can hear it when you know what to listen to! Great ear-training I think :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I’m glad to be able help

[@joshdrewpic]

I swear you're reading my mind Warren!! Just finished a rough mix and been agonizing over attack and release / ration / etc. Thanks for the INFO!

[@wyattalexander4041]

Truly a good teacher only video I can’t believe was 45min long I truly does feel like 5-10min thank you for the great tunes and information

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Wyatt! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks ever so much

[@Ali-mc3iw]

You are a wonderful educator! I could see this taking months to "get" in college or wherever. Love it. Ali

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very kind!!

[@Producelikeapro]

I’m happy to be able to help!

[@Frenkel111]

Thank you Warren! The first thing I do whenever I need to learn about something related to mixing, is just look up a produce like a pro video about it. Invaluable content.

[@sanc85]

-Before watching: "Wow a more than 40 minutes video" -after watching: "Felt 5 minutes, I want more!"

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Sándor!

[@az1nn]

Same here!

[@MikePlayDrums]

I still reference this video a year later to review the concepts. Warren is the BEST!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@leepd1]

That was the most informative thing I've seen on the subject.. I'm at this stage of learning the process, and apart from getting ideas on the actual way to dial it up, the philosophy of applying different types of compressors to whatever the track requires got my head out of thinking that just one will do the trick.. good stuff.. cheers.

[@Thenamelessoul]

After buying the Townhouse comp about a year ago, it never has left my mixbus. Love that plugin!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

BX Townhouse is my favourite as well. Next is TRacks then SSL Native. But the Townhouse has the mojo.

[@JonasFranckProduction]

awesome. gave me so many ideas and insight in mastering the art of 2bus compression. "It's all about intention!" the lesson of the day

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Thanks ever so much

[@powermix24]

I love t-racks plugins! Excellent demonstration! thanks a lot

[@sectormadeit]

Honestly I have been watching and learning about compressors a lot. But I only understood the ratio well today. Thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@danmoss2346]

I love this channel. It has become my rock into my music production journey... Thank you so so much.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much

[@RC32Smiths01]

A great video as always! The detail and notes to make are so vital and interesting!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@Producelikeapro My pleasure!

[@bobbykanemusictube]

Super glad to have this explanation. There are a few things I've been doing so wrong. SOOOOOO wrong. Now I get it. I will say that I will have to watch a few more times to catch on to the idea of sending a high passed trigger.

[@Only1Xiris]

Thank you for this video! That original SSL Master Comp on the desk just sounds amazing! Looking into getting some outboard modules and the SSL Master Bus Compressor will definitely be in my shopping cart!!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@azstratus1]

Always tremendous and helpful content as well as priceless education! Thank you Warren and Produce Like A Pro.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@zachary963]

I picked up the Townhouse when PA had a crazy deal on it. It’s been on my 2buss on every mix since. I love it!

[@miltonex]

This is pure Gold!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank You Warren!!!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very welcome!!

[@le6muzik339]

thx love it . your ssl analog comp is magic man

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks so much

[@andrew1479]

I really like the Cytomic Glue plugin and been using that for years.

[@pomrecording]

Bx townhouse is a fabulously aggressive compressor plugin. Really love it. Great content as all way! Cheers!

[@unhtread]

First Warren, you're an awesome & amazing mixing engineer! And thanks for this video! I'm currently trying to do a more accurate study on mix bus compression and how it works within a mix.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@beatkellermusic]

Excellent video, Warren. No nonsense. Thanks so much

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@stupidusername38]

that Townhouse is great, but when i got to compare it directly the Overloud Comp G i was amazed how the Overloud compressed the bottom end but retained the bass. The snap is great on that one.

[@tanukibrahma]

MaN, that was one enlightening demo/comparison.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@alessandroverona1888]

gret video, I've been waiting for this for a long time, thanks

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Alessandro! Glad you liked it!

[@JuanMotta]

Impresionante, la verdad que aprendo mucho con estos tutoriales, muchas gracias!!!

[@vusumuziny]

you literally saved my life...Great Video, more especially on the SC of low ends.

[@Reydanmusic]

Oh I‘ve been WAITING for this

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Lennart! Thanks ever so much

[@tshrdrums]

Great demo of them - one that surprises me is the Native Instruments Solid Bus Comp. Hands down my favourite. I never use my UAD, Plugin Alliance or Waves one anymore. Really open and mixes breathe! Definitely not one to sleep on

[@Rhuggins]

Fantastic video warren; to my knowledge, a SC filter basically filters the low end from the sidechain signal, but the full spectrum passes through the comp circuit intact

[@ThePickledOnions]

loved the walkthrough Warren thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@Robert-kx8mp]

I just picked up IK's Bus Compressor as part of IK's 25th anniversary sale. This video prompted me to compare it on a drum bus to the UAD SSL G Bus Compressor. After a lot of blind A/B listening, I finally started to hear a slight difference between the two. One of them was slightly more "musical". It was the IK version. I'm getting a UC1 next week, so I'm looking forward to another comparison to the SSL native version. Cheers~

[@ofthetower88]

Townhouse Compressor on the drum bus is Incredible! Has become one of my favorites 🔥

[@jimidharma]

Great stuff! I just got a 500 series G-Bus and love it!

[@andrewt248]

One thing I appreciate about a few of the plugin emulations of the SSL buss compressor I have is they have an optional and variable low pass filter on the sidechain.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@maxmileski1248]

Great vid. Loved hearing and going on this journey with Warren. One thing I’d love to get his take on is the Vertigo VSC-2 revision, now called ‘VSC-3’. More recent and done exclusively in-house by Vertigo themselves. It has more hp side-chain options and more noticeably, an entirely new plugin modeling of the hw. Very, very cool. Not cheap.

[@jcalla28]

Absolutely fantastic presentation!

[@nuajemediagroup3710]

Thank you. This was incredibly helpful in so many ways.

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very welcome! Thanks ever so much

[@KernSound]

Warren, With the waves rack you could use it in a multi band way to create that side chain with the Waves SSL Bus Comp. The Rack gives you a lot of options to play with on the mastering bus, including parallel comprising options. I love this free plugin option that waves has given us. Kind of wish it was usable with other plugins, it's a great little tool to play with color.

[@synthoelectro]

That is the best explanation of compression I've ever heard. It's always meant that to me as well.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much!! I really appreciate it

[@synthoelectro]

@@Producelikeapro welcome sir.

[@prashuryagoswami6122]

Thanks man. I recently got the townhouse loving it in the master buss for metal tracks

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous

[@prashuryagoswami6122]

@@Producelikeapro plugin alliance is definitely winning the affordable plugin game

[@AlcaHolicGamer]

I've been using the Waves abbey road mastering chain for quite a while and never looked deeply into it's built in compressor. It actually has a sidechain, THERE'S MY LOW END! Thanks Warren, informational as always.

[@kreadr6151]

Have it, use it on everything. There does seem to be two paths that determine how i use it. 1. When inserted before i start mixing it seems to be more musical when turning the knobs and doing level adjustments. Now understand were just tapping it so the settings are wide open in auto with the threshold set to taste 4:1. 2. Inserting late in the mix just to add the SSL glue. Thanks Warren for another great video.

[@justlisa1599]

I have a limiter to keep myself safe from volume mistakes! And a Klanghelm SDDR2 for a little squeeze and color. That's all! It's too easy to make mistakes or use too many, I've learned. Warren, thanks for this amazing demonstration! It's been very informative. I have a couple of those plug ins, I will have to try them now. : )

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing Lisa!

[@samuelbassani1845]

Best youtube channel ever! Loving it!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!!!!

[@chrisibbetson]

Great Video! Great to hear it in the flesh. Thanks Warren! :-)

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Chris! Thanks ever so much Glad you enjoyed it

[@jonnymak1079]

Excellent video also...easy to comprehend

[@nikolaudio]

this video is a classic. Always come back and watch it once in awhile. And the christina holmes song is just top tier man

[@kennyschabow]

This is so helpful. Now I understand how important a HPF can be on a MBC!

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very welcome

[@teslatravels4197]

Great video that takes time to let the viewer listen to the subtle differences on several tracks with different Compressors. I put my cans on and listened several times. I use the Townhouse. I tend to go for dirty sounding stuff. It just adds enough grime for what I need. Can't tell you what it actually does. Or what my settings are. It changes as I go. I might give the Vertigo a test as well as I have that. All the Compressors had things I liked about them though. Thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much! Thanks ever so much

[@Mmoody2112]

I'm so guilty of keeping my settings too aggressive. . . Thanks for putting a video out that'll challenge me to re apply some master bus compression.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Glad it was helpful!

[@javierjanaid]

Thank you so much for this beautiful video. I really appreciate it!!!! That's a BIG free 40 min demo-tutorial!!!!!

[@gutekzpoligonu]

I got back to this video Warren and You were right (answering my "what console to buy" question) that "that sound" is just SSL and that vintage bus comp gives You that Hit on snare - that 5% over the "normal" mix and if You play it louder then You can hear that punch! THANKS ONCE AGAIN!

[@Producelikeapro]

You're very welcome! Thanks for the great comment

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

Recently I have been using the Vertigo VSC2 on my mix buss with a 90 Hz sidechain and get 3 db of compression to glue a song together but let the low end breath. When Mastering I then run the track through the townhouse with no sidechain doing about a db or so of compression for some of the classic SSL flavour, and to just gently tuck everything nicely together. Also running Softubes Tape plugin on the mix buss does some light tape style compression that does wonders for a track in my experience.

[@ryKirwan1]

Super helpful, and informative. Thanks Warren 🎧🎼

[@S.K.166]

This was so cool thanks Warren!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@SilentScreamsStudios]

Yes, I love having different compressors because they all sound a little different which I find true about EQ's as well, like between pultec, SSL eq, fabfilter, t racks, waves, etc etc

[@Electricowlworks]

Warren! Awesome video, my friend! For mixes and mastering, I usually reach for the Tegeler Audio Creme RC hardware unit or plugins such as the Brainworx Townhouse or Waves SSL Bus compressors. I'll try them all out on a song, use my ears, and see what works best. Normally, I'll start at a 4:1 ratio, 30ms attack, release on Auto, and then dial in about 2 dB of gain reduction. I've noticed that with some music , especially jazz or singer/songwriter acoustic songs, a kinder, gentler 2:1 ratio sometimes works well, haha. Using the sidechain on the Tegeler Creme hardware or a plugin to let the low end pass through without triggering the compressor is a huge benefit! I really dig the variable sidechain on the BX Townhouse compressor for ITB box mixes because you can dial in each song to taste. Great stuff! One technique I like to do with songs that need a bit of punch and groove is this: Start with a 4:1 ratio, 30 ms attack, and release on the fastest setting. Now set the threshold so the needle barely moves and perhaps hits a max of 1 dB gain reduction. It's a subtle effect, but when you dial it in, it gives a really nice sence of movement, energy, and groove while eliminating the "splat" artifacts associated with fast release times on an SSL style VCA bus comps. Depending on the tempo of the song, sometimes a release of 2 or 4 works well. Every song is different! The trick with fast release times I've found is reducing the threshold. You want the needle to barely move. Listen to what's best for the song! I'm no expert, so your milage may vary. Go in and experiment! Peace, Love, and Ringo, chaz

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

The IK multimedia buss compressor was superb❤️

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@Tommy71998]

Many thanks Warren, well done!

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

Was having so much trouble mixing the automation and compression on the low end side of a stereo djembe track recently, man those things boom out the bottom, and I recorded it on a standard condenser and not a bass mic so that did not help. The level set by the low end of the djembe really does set the bar for the compression on the drum bus and master bus more than I would have imagined. Awesome this video covers this exact problem, thanks for the tips!

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

Also would you recommend or advise against recording two mono tracks on a djembe. one on top and one on the bottom? Say if you're only working with dynamic and condenser mics and no low end mic? Also I believe my djembe is a slightly larger one than the one in your mix so it's getting even more bottom boom on my track than on this track.

[@jimidharma]

Sometimes, if I don't have a side-chain and need one, I'll use a low shelf EQ to bring down the lows before the comp, then boost it back after the fact. Seems to work pretty well.

[@davidperez909]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Great vibes as always!

[@JankoFrancisty]

So glad i have that T-Racks comp right now 😁🤗

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Janko! Marvellous!

[@bigmoneylikesauce6020]

Thank you for the work you do!

[@lucmatvaz]

Thank you So Much Brother. You Are for Sure The Best Teacher.

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re very kind!! Thanks ever so much

[@jorrickthole6505]

Such a great video !!! Thank you Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@88keyz]

Thanks much appreciated learned alot from watching this 🙏🏾🔥🙏🏾😷🙏🏾

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@wesleyhendricks153]

Hey Warren, this is the best bus compression video I have ever seen. Hardware vs software plugins. And the way you started off on the hardware then going over to the software...it has opened my mind to so much more of how the master bus compression works and why I sometimes did not get that glue to the top end of some of my songs . The low end in the song is something one has to really watch out for as it affects the compressor so much depending on the song. Side chain really saves the day on some mixes. You are a star!!! Thanx for helping me mix like a pro. One can only learn these tricks by the pro's.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much my friend! I really appreciate it!!