Mixing With Mike Plugin of the Week: Waves V-Comp

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[@jacquelamontharenberg]

The VComp is a great compressor. I use this on all my sax tracks and sometimes on vocals. I have also used it on the mix bus... Adds a warm vibe. You are absolutely correct... you have to use this plug-in a lot to get the hang of it,, but it really adds a nice tone. Great video Mike. Thank you

[@zachary963]

This compressor rocks. You have to really practice with it, and sometimes it just sounds crappy on your source... but once you figure it out and you get the right source, it’s magic. It does something wonderful to the stereo image, too. I put this across a mix that was about half finished, and I don’t know what happened. It was amazing. The stereo image didn’t seem as super-wide as I initially had it, but instead the track just suddenly FELT right. I can’t explain it, but it was incredible.

[@philsackett7341]

Great video Mike! I'm so glad you explained the auto function. I was totally wrong about what I thought it did, so this helps tremendously. I know what you mean about this compressor too. I got it about six months ago. It has taken awhile to really learn how to get the most out of it but once you do, it sounds frickin' great. Thanks for all of the valuable and entertaining content. I've been watching your vids for awhile now.

[@mixingwithmike]

+Phil Sackett Cheers Phil !!!

[@CornSw]

Awesome video Michael! Really loved this. Very structured, informative and educational. I own this myself and you made me understand it a lot better. Thanks!

[@mixingwithmike]

This is an amazing plugin, when you really get into it. Use it in almost every mix. Cheers! Mike

[@CornSw]

There you go. In that case I really got to experiment a lot more with it. Thanks again for the awesome, informative video! Oh by the way, perhaps a silly question.. but do you recommend the V-comp as strictly a buss compressor or do you suggest to try it out on individual tracks as well? Best regards!

[@mixingwithmike]

I use it on the Mix buss and on individual tracks. Try using it on a vocal that is harsh and lacks body. Set the ration 4:1 Auto release and set it to give you at least 6dB of GR and it is amazing how well it can warm it up. Also great on bass and synth tracks that sound too digital. Cheers! Mike

[@CornSw]

Thanks a lot! I'll try this! :)

[@jjones7837]

Very Helpful.

[@dgnwallz2]

so that's the problem. I always stop at 2db gain reduction.

[@mixingwithmike]

Yes, this thing is designed for heavy compression.

[@little_nugget1113]

Great tutorial

[@YoMyNamesJakeG]

Hey Mike, when I use this to try to get some density (the 6-12 db range), it tends to be SUPER sensitive to bass and I get an undesired pumping, even when using Auto. Do you ever have that issue? Maybe my track just calls for a different less sensitive compressor?

[@johncaybould3022]

Thank you! I have a question, if possible, so many years after the release of this video. I personally like to use as few compressors as possible. I'm thinking of using this compressor on the master bus instead of the SSL. Now, I know that, obviously, it is possible, but does that make sense? Also, what track is that? Really funky. I like it.

[@zachary963]

John Caybould so I’ve used this on the 2buss instead of my SSL G style compressor. Here’s what I’ve noticed: The SSLG gets stuff to “pop” in a very modern radio kinda way. It’s snappy and punchy and transparent, and it wants to be used lightly. If I’m doing 4 db of compression with the SSLG that I use, then I seriously consider backing it off. The V-Comp is very different. It likes to be smashed, as he’s shown here, getting lots of db of compression. Folks were more heavyhanded with compression in the 60s and 70s, about the time that original Neve compressor would have been used. So I’ve found that the V-Comp is great at imparting a “vintage thickness” to a mix. For these reasons, if I do a pop or r&b or 80s style or hiphop song, I’ll probably use my SSLG. If I’m doing rock or something that I think an old school sound would be nice on, like indy or even orchestral, I’ll try out the V-Comp. It doesn’t work on the 2buss very often, but when it does it’s magic.

[@johncaybould3022]

@@zachary963 thanks for the explanation buddy :)