Mixing With Compression - Threshold & Ratio - TheRecordingRevolution.com

►► Overwhelmed by all of the Compression techniques? Download my FREE Compression Checklist → Compression7.com
Part 3 of 7 - When using compression in your mix where should you set the threshold? And what is the best ratio for your track? The answer is counterintuitive.
Today I'm going to show you that the numbers don't matter - the meters do!

[@faupel]

Graham is so polite haha. Even to his "little compressor man" he says, "PLEASE, compress more of the audio."

[@plone8911]

this is the best explanation of how compressor works that i ever heard in my life. finally i understand fully what im doing. you're a pro and a great teacher. now i just wanna watch it all and learn everything from the beginning. thanks for being here for us

[@dureshsharintha99]

Agreed 😊

[@isaiahsmith7026]

Same I’ve been tryna figure this out since forever

[@NielsJulian]

you are a good teacher

[@kymbo72]

you have a way of speaking and a way of explaining things that causes me to maintain concentration rather than drifting off mentally. really appreciating this series, thanks

[@azk2794]

The first three videos of this playlist were the most helpful and understandable videos about compression, i´ve seen on youtube, thanks!!

[@jakek6533]

I've watched 30 videos on this subject and this is the first to actually explain EVERYTHING! You're the man. Thank you.

[@luckyafternoon5000]

Excellent teaching video Graham...!!! Well explained in simple detail with visual examples for reinforcement. Now our SoundCraft UI24 compressor settings all make sense! THANK YOU!

[@oluwatobigbadamosi2417]

Thank you for taking your time out to put these videos up. Thanks to you my mixing and production has improved drastically.

[@LaszloHarsanyi_SoundTube]

These compression series are awesome Graham! ;) This is a well-needen topic, personally I struggled for years (not kidding) until figuring out how compression actually works! Still have some gaps, but that's why I'm so happy about this series ;) Keep it comin'!

[@MikeLuke]

Great one, thanks for that, Graham. As I understand the settings, I'd like to see kind of a tutorial series on how to use compression in a creative way. You know, when studying mixing tipps and techniques, barely no one talks about a compressor to actually bring down the volume (though that's what it's doing literally). All you hear and read is about the results of using compression, like "I want to make the snare fatter" or "I want to have the vocals more upfront" or "I want my toms to have more body" - but none of these sentences lead to volume reduction at all and that threw me off when I started, to be honest. I think I get the point meanwhile (because you shape the wave form of an audio signal), but would love to see some videos like this. Using compression to shape the sound.

[@benjiswafford1926]

Hey Graham! All of your stuff is great - this series has especially been helpful because compression has always been the scariest part of mixing to me. Thanks for clearing away the mystery and daunting nature of such a powerful tool!

[@MyVoiceOverService]

Graham, you have some of the BEST videos on KZbin. So helpful.

[@dutchwknd774]

understanding this part of mixing have been my muddy area, but watching this vid brought alot of light... Thanks man.

[@darrenmills3943]

I know this comment is hella late, but I wanted to send a huge thank you to recordingrevolution for sharing this video. It helped me out a ton!

[@ODDMANOUTMUSIC]

Graham I've watched you for a while and you always make things easy and simple to understand. Keep up the great work.

[@darkod4772]

Thanks a lot my friend! You are a very good teacher! Pleasure watching and listening!

[@michaellarsen180]

Not that I don't how to set a compressor, but the ratio vs the threshold aspect of a compressor is always an interesting topic. Very well explained Graham! Great content as usual!

[@danielerossi9985]

this is one of the best video i ever seen, regardless the object explained, you are amazing, thanks so much! ❤

[@JeanmarkRodriguez]

These three videos have been a great blessing! Thanks Graham!

[@AbhiBass96]

You are so kind and gentle. Lovely!

[@Ladywrip]

I love you, Graham. I just want you to know that. And I hope that God continue blessing you with the will and patience to keep blessing us with these teaching videos, and mixing jewels... I seriously love you brother.

[@mohanpremathilake915]

I like the polite way you talk and teach :) thanks

[@phileosband812]

Love the series! So far this help me a lot understand the "why" I would want to use compression. Being a guitarist, usually electric, we use pedal compressor to increase sustain. But in recording looking for the "why" I want to use it here. What does it accomplish. The fatter snare and out front acoustic makes sense and I can hear it. Looking forward to the rest of this series. The setting information helps understand what it's doing as well! Thanks!

[@Zack_Darce]

thanks for another great video! I was just messing with my presonus compressors last night. And just like your description says, it's all about the meters not the numbers... I hardly even look at the numbers. I just watch the meter and listen while adjusting until it's right

[@marcopolo2418]

Nobody explains this stuff for begginers better than you. I tip my cap to you sir

[@TRISCORE]

you are the Hero of EQ

[@galvaogeral]

Nice guitar sound!! Thanks for your class. Crystal clear.

[@sg7608]

Thanku so much bro. That’s an amazing knowledge session. Most precise and exact guidelines I have found about Compression. Cas I was worried about the ratio and threshold values. Thanku so much. Keep doing this good work of educating us. Would like to learn more from you. Godbless.

[@ivonnecafena1907]

Very helpful! You are really good at explaining things! Thank you so much !!

[@nagu8126]

Amazing series! Although I find it really hard to notice the differences, I had to hear it several times at max volume to do so, I guess I need to train my ears! ^^ Thank you for all this, is helping a lot!

[@laydeeflythevillain6012]

Omgggg thanks man!!!! I needed a checklist it’s sooo handy ur the bomb!!

[@calixtus06]

Hi I'm french and I have all understood ! Really thanks !

[@JakeSharpProfoundStudio]

Another great one Graham thanks!

[@MrAcero0]

Thanks a lot for the clear explanation. Helps me a lot!

[@daddydanny5588]

great explanation ever .. thanx

[@everest_dub]

Very good informative video ! Thanks

[@goccsmusic9100]

Hey Graham, what about a video explaining a little bit Panning and Stereo Separation?

[@Alex-no3co]

Very helpful, thanks Graham.

[@educarparalapaz]

Many THANKS!! great and very helpful information. God bless you.

[@kaliyessimbekov2904]

Maan thank you very much! Now I understand that! Very detailed. Thanks a lot!

[@GARRYESHEPARDJrCtpsalmist]

Bro your a life saver thank you for this I got a better understanding now

[@ChuckMaidenMusic]

Super helpful! Well explained!

[@MartinFabricius]

Thanks for a great video. I have a few Danfield 716A hardware compressors. The treshold scale is different though than what you have. My scale go from -20 to +10. Any explanation for how this scale corosponds with the Db scale would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[@FernandoCuadro]

Hey graham. Seeing that you have this gentle compression approach. Do you use compression in all the tracks?

[@mikosoft]

I don't think GR of 3 db with ratio 2:1 and threshold -33,6 is the same as 10:1 and -28. I was hoping you could explain it a little.

[@kuenlight]

It isn't the same, and tbh I think Graham made it more confusing for learners by oversimplifying it to the point of saying "the numbers don't matter". Figuring out compression is all about understanding the way the compressor detects the signal (threshold, detector highpass/sidechain, look-ahead) and then how it reacts to that signal after (ratio, attack, release). If you put the threshold lower more of the body of the signal will be detected; if you put the threshold higher it will catch the peaks and less of the body. Basically it's a choice of if you want to compress based on the whole signal, or if you want to compress just when the peaks (usually big spiky transients) are detected, or you can go somewhere in between. Then you put the ratio wherever you want it to get what you were looking for. Large ratio = compresses harder based on the amount of detected signal, small ratio = compresses less based on the same amount of detected signal. So low threshold/small ratio means you're compressing more gently, but your compressor is reacting to more of the signal (and therefore also more evenly). If you have a high threshold/large ratio, you're effectively squashing more aggressively and in reaction to peaks. So you could set the comp as a kind of peak limiter if you have a high threshold (to detect just the peaks) and really fast attack, or if you slow down the attack you can squash the body just after the transient to exaggerate the 'punch' (pick whatever ratio sounds the best at the time). Or you could set the comp with a lower threshold to detect, and therefore compress more stuff. If you set the threshold too low it will just compress _everything_ but you can set it just high enough to compress only _most_ things, with a small ratio (like anywhere between 1.1:1 to 4:1 depending on how gentle you want to be) for a more transparent sounding gain reduction

[@JLauridsen]

Great and succinct explanation. I agree with you 100%.

[@CarlosPerdomo]

Great explanation. I understood this process even more. Thank you.

[@heavymetalmixer91]

So this is why I see some people say that Low threshold and Small ratio gives a more "thick" and "warm" feel, while High threshold and Big ratio feels more "punchy".

[@MISERYCHORD-gj2hi]

Thank you so much. It's really helpful.

[@HVACR-Pro]

Very good explanation

[@adamfbergo]

you are the best teacher

[@libiv7907]

Thank you for this video !

[@ontherun1234]

compressing guitars have always been my weakness starting to learn a lot more

[@Pedalnerds]

Informative video. Thanks!

[@ytmusic4713]

i got more knowledg about compression thanks

[@AdhirajMathur]

Hey, Graham. I couldn't understand one thing .. If gain reduction of 3 db is happening, what's the point of increasing the gain by 2 db here? Doesn't it mean total gain reduction of 1 db that ways?

[@GermaineNimundel]

oh, you're explanations are way better than my college lecturers. I dont even know why I went to college :|

[@tomprejean]

FASCINATING!!!

[@RBGMusicEnt]

nice video Graham, but i have one question, is subtle compression better than just smashing the ratio at 6 db or so?

[@tyschuby]

Once again thank you!

[@adammaznev4069]

After watching this i really feel that i made a new friends today due to the amount of times he said "my friend" :D

[@bk327]

Thank you so much!

[@jackxavier3915]

Amazing thank you I get it now

[@gregtechno506]

Hey there, i'm just wondering after watching this, should you use compression on every sound(was thinking kinda like low cut filter cleaning the low end rumble for the kick & bass) and if not on which sounds should you use it? Great videos by the way. I finally understand what i'm doing before i was just like turning knobs going by the feeling.

[@AzeveidoMateus]

In any of your compression videos do you explain low and high threshold? I have these settings on my multiband compressor and I don’t know what they do.

[@pottopissinpodcastptpi8023]

Huge help

[@LiftedNoise]

If I'm working with a compressor that doesnt have a visual representation of gain reduction, could I look at the meter on the track prior to compression and turn the gain up on the compressor by what it's been reduced using the tracks meter as a visual aid?

[@dureshsharintha99]

Super explained video ever 😍😍😍

[@benbrytsang]

good and kind~thx

[@jameyortega1465]

very helpful!

[@MyVoiceOverService]

You're the greatest!

[@anthonysolorzano2005]

Where on the track should you listen and compress? Beginning ? Middle? End? In between?

[@michaelreaper666]

Thanks Graham ...really helps ...:)

[@birat4795]

Dude. You're dope

[@rickyguitarman3839]

this is great thank you!!!!

[@bowdizz1929]

You should do a series on delay next

[@thomaisdefois]

Thanks ;)

[@mikebacch4243]

So if compression is basically a "normalizing" the volume on a track why are there so many different compressors available? Can you explain the difference between compressors and what makes one better than any other?

[@MrSkyTown]

Mike Baccheschi compressors are special because they are different types of compressors and different kind of compression styles that have there own unique style of sound, but at the end of the day, compression is compression, best thing to do is understand the basics of compression and then you can enjoy the other types of compressors, not all are the same in settings etc but they all compress, some are more recommended for vocals and some types of compressers are more recommended for drums etc.

[@torindavies1176]

Hey man, I've got a log cabin in the garden that I use a studio - I was planning to record drums in there, how many Mics do you think I need to use - to make the kit sound good? Cheers

[@ontherun1234]

if you want it all recorded at the same time i would use 6(snare , tom , hats , kick , over head , room )

[@MrAlternatingcurrent]

Overhead (or 2 overheads if you want stereo) + kick - very basic, little oldschool sound 2 overheads + snare + kick - little better but not so good for rock or metal :D 2 overheads + 2 snare mics (top and bottom) + kick + toms + (maybe som room mics) - good but expensive solution, if you don't like for example bottom snare mic, you simply don't use it in the mix.

[@torindavies1176]

Cheers guys

[@losingitrush]

Tiege Davies funny that you asked this question: Graham recorded the drums on the song with one condenser mic!!

[@richardwilliamsmusic]

Question: Why does the volume go up when I lower the threshold? Also, as I lower the threshold, then the compressor will compress more of the lower decibels right? Everything above the threshold it does NOT compress harder as I lower the threshold right?

[@BhProp]

Wish my DAW (Reaper) had in/out meters next to each other on the compressor screen, would make it easier to match them

[@VSARecordsDelhi]

My friend😁

[@FrozenBreaks]

thank you - love you :P

[@urmiisaha5485]

How can u teach sooooo welll?

[@QuincyKane]

On a project I was working on recently, I had the threshold set to 0 but I was still getting gain reduction; anybody know why that might be? (I was using amp simulators with the electric guitar going in direct.)

[@Ouvii]

sounds like the audio going into the compressor was going over 0.0 dB, so it was technically clipping (It's probably not clipping on the track because you have the fader pulled down, but the amp sims are going to add a lot of volume and the FX you have are likely before the fader in the chain). I'm not sure if this is bad or not though >_> I think with digital audio it is fine as long as it isn't clipping once it gets to the master, but again I'm not sure. If it bothers you, you can use a plugin to adjust volume to leave it around -18 dB average at any point in your FX chain. I think Graham has also done a video on something called "gain staging" which might be relevant iirc.

[@QuincyKane]

You're right! The direct signal was hanging out around -18db, but once I added the amp and pedal sims it went over about 2db, but I didn't notice because I had the faders turned down. I tried turning down the volume on the amp, but that does effect the tone a little; and again, the direct signal isn't clipping, so I dunno if it's bad or not that it only goes over 0db when I add the effects. I'll have to do some research; thanks for the reply!

[@mellebxndo1368]

good video but you could save the hoops and chains to get the pdf

[@sakatagintoki1323]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@henri470x]

you're the god

[@thedrunkenfish5855]

Someone explain to me why most compressors now increase the volume of output when decreasing the threshold.

[@izvarzone]

they have auto gain makeup. Some allow to disable it, I then always do it. Some (like LA-2A) do not.

[@karnubawax]

i wanna write a song called "Little Compressor Man."

[@22222Sandman22222]

I like this song very much, but when you use it as a mixing example in a lot of your tutorials, it gets kind of boring.

[@joshquarles]

Kissing it with a compressor. :)

[@DjJohnnyTheripper]

what about knee?

[@pottopissinpodcastptpi8023]

40 sent me here

[@Typhoon792]

I thought you would also comment on what happens if you place the threshold all the way down. Care to? :D

[@FernandoCuadro]

Hey graham. Seeing that you have this gentle compression approach. Do you use compression in all the tracks?

[@WarriorsTVOfficial]

you are a good teacher