Mixing Heavy Guitars: Why Even Bother Using COMPRESSION?

[@FrightboxRecording]

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[@heavyvibrationstudiopl3256]

I use only to make level of guitars the same.But compression in classic way?No.Solo always compressed.In heavy music you can use more compression on solo to keep it in place.

[@demostf3944]

Thanks for making this!

[@KennethACrashwaggonMusic]

I know this is an older video, but still...I find it quite amazing how so many don't understand that compressors aren't just for reducing peaks. As mentioned in the video, adding character and colour as well as you can add a bit of punch by using a slow attack. And then you have the LA--3A which for some reason just sounds glorious on electric guitar, regardless of genre. Not even sure why, but it does.

[@stahl-wie-eisen]

When I use an amp pluging for my heavy guitar, I put a compressor before the amp, so I can slightly reduce a bit of dynamic from the clean signal before it gets distorted. That works well for me :-)

[@jeffbridges6110]

TDR NOVA is a great multiband comp (free or paid). Great on palm mutes and the like.

[@jacksmith4460]

I think its brilliant.People rave about Fab Filter EQ's due to dynamic eq but Nova does all that and you can get a version for free. In fact TDR and Klanghelm, all of their free plugins are top class, as good as anything paid. (I am sure Fabfilter is very good, but it costs around 200 which is a lot more than free) I use the Klanghelm MJUCjr on every mix BUS master fader, The IVGI2 saturator on 70 of the individual instrument tracks I mix, and the DC1A3 compressor on leads and synths and also cymbals, its so sweet and smooth I use the TDR Nova on Master fader and also Guitar BUS'es (exactly for palm mutes, as you say its brilliant). The Molotok on Bass, Drums , really it is my option B compressor on just about any source, If my usual tool is not doing it for me , I break out the Molotok. The Slick EQ ia brilliant for EQ'ing guitars and synths, also good on the master fader too. The Kotelnikov, I dont use much, but its really versatile, a very exact compressor, like Molotok but more transparent and more exact, works well on Matser faders, or any compression you need to be VERY exact with. Klanghelm and TDR for the "free" win Also Analog Obsession you can get his plugins for free or support via patreon, but he makes great clones of old analog gear (1176, LA2A etc etc )

[@jeffbridges6110]

@@jacksmith4460 yeah man. Tokyo Dawn is great. AO (analog obsession) makes good stuff too. I support him when I can.

[@Hikaeme-od3zq]

I've been using it for about 2 weeks and it's LIFE CHANGING, I usually used OTT but now I'm slowly trying to use it way less because it just gives you an "ott" sound which doesn't always work, but Nova does the job 100% ALWAYS.

[@JeffBarberDigideus]

you are killing it with your production tips. awesome work. I feel like i'm learning stuff I should have known years ago - good work dude

[@FrightboxRecording]

Stoked to hear that, Jeff!

[@Metalbass10000]

I never looked at compression as altering heavy rhythm guitar tone, just smoothing out inconsistencies, or variation in the dynamics, in the guitar player's technique. This is even more the case with leads.

[@theinfant]

Great video! Sometimes I like to use a compressor with about 40 or 50 ms attack and a fast release just to give the track some nice attack. Works really great for styles where the kick always hits with the guitar. Thanks again!

[@ristanhym6989]

Best Metal Production videos on youtube. Your video editing skills have improved tenfold, this video feelt so professional and flowed so smooth. Mad Respect!

[@nickborrrego]

Been doing this for years and this is the best explanation of multi band compression I've ever come across. Thanks man!

[@jasonstallworth]

Great tutorial. I’ve always approached metal rhythms with a little compression due to the natural inconsistencies of a real amp. I never thought I’d it as changing it r shaping the tone. As you mentioned, I want to try to get the best tone from the source.

[@shaihulud4515]

I've seen a lot of your vids recently - but this one really wanted me to subscribe! Definitely going to look more often around on your channel - super interesting and fun stuff, I am really looking forward to try out in my productions!

[@MrNoHopeDoomcore]

Hey Bobby, greetings from Germany. I'm watching your videos several times and I just want to say big thanks to you. For me as a home producer it's very useful for me to get tips what you really need for small productions and what not, what's needed for home studio recording and what's waste of time and money. Thanks again for the great content and even more for the free tools from you. Rock on dude!

[@FrightboxRecording]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@Reakerboy]

Great advice! You certainly don't need much for a heavy tone. I usually go with a fast attack, auto release and a very low ratio. Then Just dial it in with very little gain, 0.5...1 dB usually does the trick! I've learnt so much from your videos. 🤟🏻🙏🏻

[@blackholestudios9284]

Great video! I've just been using ReaComp on two hard panned guitar tracks. The "distorted guitar" preset is awesome because it gives it more character and an interesting attack, but it's really not doing much. Like you said, it all comes from the source and the DI which is why I usually use an eq to clean up the DI signal then do the usual i.e. just a noise gate, od, amp sim and great cab irs. Imo, you got an awesome cab ir, you're not gonna have much trouble getting a good guitar tone. Definitely gonna try your approach out though. Thanks!

[@Gladicuss]

Great video Bobby!! Love it. I use a outboard compressor Solid State Buss +. So this video speaks well to me, thank you.

[@sanehumanbeing7019]

This is great info. I have also found I generally don't need a compressor on overdriven or distorted rhythm and lead guitars. And as far as getting great tone, I've also found that it's most effective to have a great guitar, a great amp, dial it in right, mic it up right, and it takes care of itself. Some tape simulation and a mixer channel simulation like a Neve channel, even with the EQ all set flat, just to get the sound of how guitars used to be recorded and mixed, is all it needs 98% of the time. Great suggestion to use focused bandwidth compression in cases where there are mud or peaks in certain frequencies that you want to control. Vocals, drums, bass, and clean guitars - that's different. I compress them, to get vocals to stand out, to get the bass to sound punchy, to bring out the power and punch in drums, and even to bring out details in overhead mic tracks.

[@logan1373]

Bobby, you have helped me so much, I feel like I owe you money .

[@ashamael]

Man, I don't remember if it was your channel, Glen's, or someone else's, but I discovered the multi-band compressor trick early in my mixing and it immediately made my life exponentially easier and pretty much is always (along with a low cut & low pass eq) present on my heavy rhythms. In fact, in Reaper, whenever I'm going to add metal guitars, I already have a 5-channel chain saved that loads a rhythm submix (with those things already on) along with two pairs of L R tracks (with different plugins I like to blend together).

[@epicmetalness]

that solo was pretty fucking epic sounding

[@FrightboxRecording]

I agree! My man Kevin is amazing player.

[@instrumentalist28]

Great video! That multi band trick is one of the greatest things ever. On compressing the lead guitar, you're basically limiting it? Would a limiter work as well?

[@joeaquilino19]

Sick opening Carnevil of the dead

[@nejih1323]

Hey Bobby! Does dynamic EQ (as in fab filter plugins) help the same way as multiband compression? For chugs or overly spiky high frequencies for example

[@saitenkiller]

Yes, absolutely. I use the dynamic EQ in ProQ for taming the palm mutes and it works great. I feel like this feature in ProQ is highly underrated and underrepresented.

[@victordiesel]

Yes. I use the TDR Nova and it can be apllied for the same purpose. It is a matter of what you preffer using but it definitely can get the job done.

[@karolkozak64]

For me this is really depending on the style of playing. If there's a lot of riffing with a mix of low and high tones I do tend to use a bit of compression but only to level the low and high frequency notes. For standard rock type of sound i would never use it.

[@Lukejmts1]

Your videos are awesome man! Thankyou!!!

[@mikecassell8953]

I didn’t pick up on any issue with the uncompressed guitar’s palm muting. I though it sounded raw and biting, even alongside the other instruments.

[@Dave_TheMetalJester]

To be more specific, distortion relies on creating overtones forcing the signal to pass through a system with a thighter dynamic transfer. Just being technical about It so YEEES, GUITAR DISTORTION IS CREATED THROUGH FORCED COMPRESSION IN THE AMP!!

[@danmagee5]

Enjoying your drink? Haha he's always drinking something.

[@sudarsahn666]

Can I use compression on the DI track while recording? I have a UAD volt 176, I am planning to use 76 and Vintage mode on while recording. DI stems will be sent out to producer to mix it. What do you suggest?

[@FrightboxRecording]

I always keep the DI's 100% clean and pre so that they can be reamped later. A guitar amp (or amp sim) is designed to be fed signals straight from guitars or pedals and I prefer to follow that paradigm.

[@sudarsahn666]

@@FrightboxRecording Thank you. This is really helpful.

[@ManuSDP]

I do the same. Also, that guitar tone is sick!

[@LykaonMetalMusic]

I use always on m guitars the Slate FG Stress - its an Distressor. Thicken up the guitars! For the Palm Mutes Fabfilter MB! But there are good free versions out there!

[@VincentVegardSvart]

Can you explain a similar mixing process for a "symphonic extreme metal band" (also black metal). How do you mix the symphonic arrangements (like strings, real keyboards, choirs). This band sound huge!!!

[@zeebpc]

No matter what i do i cant get a usable vst tone its always really dark and muddy and really bad hissing . tried dozens of amp sims and IR's , even with same presets as youtube vids mine sounds much darker and worse no clarity. primarily trying archetype nolly. could it be any of these things ? - Bad interface from 2013 - Unclean old guitar strings - Cheap guitar with bad pickups - Tuning too low with standard strings - Not picking hard enough? - Bad cable im going for a black metal tone in the ballpark of darkthrone under a funeral moon type stuff. Is there anything else im missing that could cause this?

[@greghillmusic]

I'd def get a new interface and new strings.

[@clugokillscluco]

Unrelated question. If a person is only using amp sims plugging their guitar straight in, is a DI box/track still necessary? Isn't the wave form the DI signal?

[@greghillmusic]

Yeah I think DI boxes are mainly for recording a real amp.

[@a1paradox19]

Idk if you figured this out by now but protools does have a stock multiband comp😋

[@FrightboxRecording]

The Avid one that I know of isn't stock. It costs $299.

[@theriffdjenerator2213]

Multi band particularly for low end on edtended ramge guitars (8 string etc) and also as you on leads as traversing multiple octaves with very thick to very thin strings the output and perceived levels varies quiet a bit

[@ReeWebster]

To squash the sound, maybe not, but to shape the sound, yes.

[@AlbertodeVictoria]

Dependeding on how the player attacks on certain riffs, I usually comp a little.

[@stefanfyhn4668]

The tone for that lead guitar was honestly a little surprising, seemed so dry and plain without the delay and the compressor. What kind of processing is going on besides those two?

[@FrightboxRecording]

Just EQ, light compression and a little delay.

[@seansley]

For those who don't have one... Awesome free multi-band compressor / dynamic EQ: TDR Nova

[@jacksmith4460]

Distortion is not a form of compression, compression is a form of distortion, sorry that is my pedantic 2 pence/cents (or more specifically an emergent property)

[@TheOuterDrive]

So are you running compression on the entire mix/ master fader?

[@FrightboxRecording]

Yes sir..almost always.

[@jacksmith4460]

Good plugins that can do this...and are free :D TDR Nova (Tokyo Dawn Labs) Mcomb (Melda Audio) GMulti (GVST)

[@two2ixmusic]

FACTS!

[@Fred.A.Dubeau]

good ol’ andy sneap trick

[@throughmists]

I just think it's neat

[@Tvaroh]

What about compression before the amp?

[@theinfant]

In my experience, it can be super useful if your pickups are lower output and your palm mutes need a bit more power :D

[@Anon15316]

Thanks Bobby, I just signed up for your course. If you'd be interested I could send before and after mix results using your course. Keep up the good work \m/

[@FrightboxRecording]

That would be awesome, Rudi!

[@Exaltation-heliacal]

Never leaves the basement. Bad taste

[@danmenez]

Not until now.