Mixing With Mike Mixing Tip: Getting the Feel for Compression

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[@vulpesmusic2801]

Best compression video I've ever seen.... For me this one connected the dots from all your other compression tips and the stuff I already knew. I am finally hearing what I want and am supposed to hear. Thanks

[@mixingwithmike]

+Tom Vos Cheers Tom!

[@michaelmai8403]

Mike, you are the best. This really helped me on my journey. Thanks so much for what you do. Cheers!

[@RoseGoldSound]

I don't think I'll be able to thank you enough for this video. Such an eyes opener on what to pay attention to. Between that your last response to one of my comment I think I'll make a big jump in understanding and working with compressors. Thank you very much ! You're the man !

[@mixingwithmike]

Cheers!

[@kevinacres1699]

Thanks professor White! This is a lesson that is a cut above them all. The chasm that crosses from being a technician to being an artist.

[@mixingwithmike]

Cheers Kevin!

[@vijayrams5303]

Your a great teacher ..Mike I like your lessons

[@nichttuntun3364]

Priceless information going on here. There was a discussion on GS recently about GR amount and the actual really occurring compression. Your indepth approaches in teaching are such a value considering so many people nowadays only presents tinny crumbs out of an incredibly huge cake. Thanks a lot. Cheers

[@albertwangny]

Very great demonstration!

[@1linkjimmy]

Best channel on KZbin 💯✅

[@sobbeggi]

Your videos are awesome. I am learning more in one sitting watching your videos than from all the other mixing videos on KZbin combined.

[@mixingwithmike]

+Birgir Baldursson Cheers Birgir!

[@eranddroory9987]

Mike you're definitely the best on youtube. You and MIXBUS TV actually teach us tricks and tips we can use. Thank you so much for sharing your wast knowledge. :-)

[@mixingwithmike]

+erand droory Cheers!

[@sammysabbah6118]

Nice video! I love your videos because you don't just throw out cool tricks or show specific settings on plugins! you show how to mix by knowing what to listen/feel for. much appreciated

[@mixingwithmike]

+sammy sabbah Cheers Sammy!

[@revmulvey]

Hi Mike really great and helpful video on the dark art of compression. Compression has to be one of the most confusing aspects to someone new to mixing. This video really helps to explain how to use it not abuse it! Cheers

[@mixingwithmike]

Thanks! The biggest issue with beginners is knowing what to listen for. Frequencies are easier to hear and are the most obvious. The effect of compression is more musical and either creates consistency in a performance or makes it move better. I have a full 12 week course (blog.music-production-guide.net/power-compression-course/) on my website just for this "dark art". It's a very powerful tool that is mostly misused. Cheers! Mike

[@omrielle]

Micheal all the info you are sharing is accelerating my learning to mix...thanks so much and hope to start an official course sooner than later.

[@mixingwithmike]

Cheers!

[@jjjuhg]

I did the same testing with closing the eyes, not knowing which version is bypassed and see if one is better or not... a few weeks ago. it's funny that others think the same. I was thinking that maybe I'm concentrating too much...but now I see that we all have much more in common than we would expect. surprising! cool video, as always. thanks so much!

[@mixingwithmike]

+creative media Thanks CM!

[@fakshen1973]

Compression is one of those effects that you have to spend a lot of time with to train your ear to appreciate and confidently adjust.

[@davidpereira4455]

music schools should just play this video on the "What is compression?" day

[@psysword]

so awesome man!

[@afolabiaiyeloja8164]

You da man Mike thanks brotha!

[@JulianFernandez]

Cool vid... Thanks for sharing!

[@mixingwithmike]

+JulianFernandez Cheers Julian!

[@ElektronDs]

Great video !thanks!!!! one question. in Wich step of a mix have i to worry bout this particular "thing" ?

[@Erudotic]

I'm sorry, but I find out very hard to really hear and get a feel from hearing the compressors on an already totally squashed down drumloop etc. Somehow I just don't get the point, why not just edit the sample foot the desired effect, if any? On Acoustics compression is really obvious in what it does bit somehow here it eludes me. Perhaps because I have no affinity worth this 'modem' electronic music (don't get me wrong, I love electronics, have been dabbling south it for over 35 years)

[@kayvtv]

The first example (master) is kinda hard to hear, rest are just piece of cake. Its really an eye opener that how much movement it gives the sound with just 1-2 db gain reduction.

[@Hellosange]

+Kay V ™ it might me hard to hear, but not to feel, in my opinion. When the comp is on, on the first example, I feel my body moving just a slighty more. But I can't analyze it precisely with my ears (maybe if I focus on the release of the kick I might hear something)

[@mixingwithmike]

+Kay V ™ Hi Kay V, No, it doesn't take a lot of gain reduction to draw the movement out of the track. Every vintage compressor is different with the sweet spot for making it happen. As soon as you can build the sensitivity to it, you will be amazed what a difference it makes with your approach. Cheers! Mike

[@mixingwithmike]

+Hellosange Exactly, it is all about the feel and the movement. That is what your body reacts to. The way to hear it is to notice the front back depth. The sound should escape the speakers a bit more than when the compressor is in. Cheers! Mike

[@Nipsky86]

Hi Mike, so do I understand it right, that, while leaving alone the transient part of the sound by using a slow attack, you sort of carve a short volume change into its sustain part that you feel more than you hear it, by using the fast release setting?

[@mixingwithmike]

+Nipsky86 Yes. Think of it like a controller of the ADSR cycle of a sound. The attack and release times decide what part of the ADSR cycle you are effecting. Cheers! Mike

[@Nipsky86]

+Michael White Great, thanks, that helps me a lot! I’m still in the process of grasping the different possible A/R settings of a compressor and how they impact the sound, but I’m making some real progress :)

[@mixingwithmike]

I have a whole 12 week course on compression if you are interested. Sort of an obsession of mine... blog.music-production-guide.net/power-compression-course/ Cheers! Mike