Hearing Compression: Unlock your Ears!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I'd love to know if this actually helped or if it was just too subtle for you? This might help you more: Snare Compression - A Step by Step Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIa8iKRugd2cedU

[@amusik7]

Subtle is good. It's all about learning to hear the difference so you have to show how it's done the right way.

[@toamaori]

it was very subtle but great ear training. Knowing what to listen for is such a great help. It's easy to notice the big effects but the very subtle can be elusive to find if you don't know exactly what to look for. Well for me anyway :) thamks!! :D Can't wait to try these listening tips on a mix...

[@brainbrain542]

I’m not an engineer / I’m a composer / jazz pianist. I found it very difficult to hear effects of the compression. You’re very articulate and sound like you know your stuff very well. Good engineers have dog ears. I’m currently finishing a CD project where my producer / engineer died so I’m having another person come into the same studio to finish the mix. We will see.

[@toamaori]

@@brainbrain542 just like music there is ear training you can do specific to audio engineering, might be like someone not hearing the difference between a 7♯9♭13 and a 7♭9♭13

[@shamanbeartwo3819]

@@brainbrain542 - It can be difficult to hear these subtleties over KZbin.

[@samsonlovesyou]

These "how to hear" videos are brilliant. So many KZbin videos are prescriptive, but it's hearing that allows us to disgnose and then be creative in our solutions. It's so hard to lock into the right part of a sound as a beginner, and this makes it so much easier.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thank you! I'm glad they help you

[@VojtechKriz-vo8jc]

Underlining this. I'm seriously So grateful for your channel and for that type of content. I can finally hone in on my actual skills instead of just blindly replicating other people's techniques. This is vital to anyone who wants to be truly in control of their work. Also your style of videos really suits me. It's edited just the right amount, there's no distracting visuals, jingles, aggressive ads etc. and the general calmness of your demeanour makes it So much easier to focus on the actual thing I'm trying to achieve. Hope you also get something out of doing this, and not just us viewers. Thank you thank you thank you

[@tjcint]

@@VojtechKriz-vo8jc Such a lovely appreciative comment.

[@1loveMusic2003]

Been watching your videos. You give a great look into how mixers think. You explain your thought process well and that is what so many beginners need. Thank you for your efforts.😁

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I appreciate that! Thanks

[@periloustemple8290]

This may be the most useful tutelage for me during all these years of KZbin. Subtle difference make all the difference, IMO. It's easy to get an impact from an effect, but things like cohesion and sculpting are less distracting and more musical - usually. This is what you should do every time - except when you shouldn't! LOL.

[@MaurysMusic]

Q: Around 12:25 you said the 80hz side chain means the cytomic isn’t compressing anything below 80 - but I think that’s incorrect. It’s my understanding that the cytomic isn’t being triggered by anything below 80 but IT IS COMPRESSING the entire frequency range. Does that make sense? I’m open to being corrected.

[@helmanfrow]

Paused at 2:40. I think when people talk about "glue" they're probably referring to the intermodulation distortion. You see, when two or more signals really love each other they squeeze together really tightly and travel through a special box full of magical nonlinearity and generate baby signals which we call harmonics and subharmonics. Nature is so beautiful.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Haha! I totally visualised that, thanks!

[@Faraday100]

This video is immensely useful. I've watched many others on compression and this one still improved my understanding of it. Thanks for doing so many really good videos for us.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bennettsteil4531]

Love your channel. Your gain staging videos have been an absolute godsend for me and my work with my band. Cheers from Texas and keep up the great work!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad to help!

[@secretwilderness9715]

A lot of tutorials or demos on compression do more overt examples so people can really hear the difference, it's nice to have a subtle example for mixing work. I love that you noted how the style of music and mix you're doing impacts how you approach compression and the tonality of the mix!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad you liked it!

[@sonicart1808]

Sara, just your dialogue recording and sound on this video is one of the best I've heard, so this in itself is a testament to your knowledge......great video on hearing compression, one of the more difficult topics in mixing

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yay, thank you! I was careful about preserving the integrity of the music examples by not using a limiter on them in the video edit. Who knows what KZbin does to it though!! 😂

[@sonicart1808]

@@SaraCarterSimplyMixing Exactly!

[@DbiPro]

When I think glue I think balance. I think a revelation or reveal or uncovering of hidden frequencies that you wanted to stand out more but couldn’t accomplish with just volume. I think and hear color. I think fullness. I think breathing. I think of a release in the speakers to show all the instruments and dynamics better

[@quantum_ocean]

wow really surprised how dramatic the difference was between Attack 10 vs 30 ms! Usually I'm just picking a number based on shit I read somewhere. BUt after listening twice and focusing on the snare and kick like you said, I could also hear a dramatic difference. I need to get in the habit of using my ears more.

[@christianf.7223]

Great tutorial, as allways !!! ...your "mixing essentials" course is pur gold!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I appreciate that! Thanks so much

[@ekkamailax]

The way you articulate is captivating

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks! Haha!

[@ekkamailax]

@@SaraCarterSimplyMixing my pleasure. Usually on these type of videos I skip past the talking and get straight to the demo but something about your speaking skills kept me engaged the whole time.

[@tomulluss]

I like to know if this video can help to anyone. Especially for newbies! How are they supposed to hear the compressor at GR 1-2dB??? I remember that about 20 years ago in the beginning I didn't hear what the compressor was doing at all. I put it on the tracks as I saw it with my colleagues or fished out some preset. I definitely needed a much more brutal GR to understand how to set the compression.

[@rome8180]

What I actually heard when the compressor was engaged was that it brought the guitar forward. The whole midrange seemed more present. That could have to do with what's happening to the snare and the kick, I suppose. But I actually perceive the difference more in the presence of the midrange instruments.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yes, agreed. I think I'm predisposed to listen to the drums first for some reason.

[@aqwesibroni]

you just a heaven sent , u nailed the explanation ..Much love im Sound engineer from Ghana West africa, wish i had a mother like u

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

That’s so lovely! Thank you 😊

[@timball8429]

Thanks Sara. Mix bus compression is one of the hardest things to understand and this is an excellent tutorial.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're very welcome!

[@rinosphere]

Great stuff, excellent production as always. 'Subtle' is the point... compounding multiple subtle mix elements thru the whole mix process.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Exactly!

[@tomwawer5714]

This is rather amazing - I do hear the difference (after you explained) thanks a lot!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Great to hear! no pun intended

[@MihaiSorohan]

Awesome tutorial, thanks for that. However, I couldn't get over the fact that at 11:04 the guitar clashes with the keyboards, one playing c# d e, and the other c# d# e. Anyway, useful information.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yes! That gets edited out for the finished mix!

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

Very good tutorial. I think your method of demonstrating compression, as in what you would set and not overdoing so we can hear it, is a better demo. Yes, overdoing has its place, like in teaching yourself what your setting boundaries might be, but we also need to hear what we're trying to accomplish.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deeymobeats]

great video Sara🙏👏🏻👏🏻

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thank you!!

[@gcuemusic]

This was truly beneficial. I appreciate it! Something to consider going forward. During your demonstration of the impact of the attack setting on the snare, I couldn't help but think about factoring in the delay caused by the internet. I distinctly noticed a difference when you patiently waited for a few seconds at one point. On the other occasions, the intervals seemed a bit too swift.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Noted! Thanks

[@74goldenjet]

Hi, new follower here. I've already watched 5 of your videos. Great stuff! For me, the most interesting is your chain of thoughts, your decisions and reasons. Also, the topics are good and especially the stuff about VU meters was helpfull for me as a bedroom producer. It's easy to get lost in guesswork and I need some anchor points, some "rules to break" when I understand the energy levels and frequency distribution. I spent some hours listening to (mid/side) pink noise curves, captured from tracks I like, quite interesting :) Anyways, thanks for sharing your knowledge in a very clear and thorrough way.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Welcome! Thanks for sharing that, it's good to know what people like in my videos

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Great video. I have begun trying to get as far as I can in the mix before reaching for the mix bus compressor. I listen to hear if the mix falls apart or is fairly transparent but adds. I have noticed the SSL seems bring things more forward. I normally filter the SC between 100-120 so it does not squish my entire mix as I like for the bass to be prominent in my mixes.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Sounds good to me

[@jxrx4577]

Nice Sarah. Would be cool to see a vocal chain setup!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Noted!

[@BillGraper]

I definitely don't like the slow release. It holds onto the instruments too long, so the attack can't catch the transient. I always go for faster release. I normally only use compressors on individual tracks, and I can see if the signal is coming back in time for the attack to let the next transient through.

[@manos6426]

Thank you very much for this video, your advises are precious!!!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You are so welcome!

[@agondistortion]

I experiment a lot with the mix bus I try different combinations on a different songs never do one think twice but there are a few combinations that have stucked through the years and I tend to go back and use them , top down mixing is the best thing u can do , I tend to balance first than set the mixbuss usually go thru pressets fast until I hear it click to the sound while listening rms level to be exact than another plugin and so forth it's like architecture I'm looking for something that will anchor the sound together than something that will add depth width as so on i find that mixing this way gets me to finish line a lot faster with fresh ears and good perspective.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Sounds good. Thanks for sharing!

[@aaroncampmusic]

Love the Maine Coon assistant! I have a Tuxedo Maine Coon who was pretty much feral and I took him in. Now he takes over my studio desk(he's there now) and often will bite and attack my Faderport fader when it's moving on it's own! Thanks for the great video on Stereo bus compression!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Haha! I know what you mean. Glad you liked the video

[@TexasGit]

I like how the acoustic guitar suddenly becomes audible with the compressor engaged.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

YES!

[@timinglismusic6707]

Does using a high-pass filter on the compression unit (turning it up to 80Hz) do the same as the sidechain filter on the unit you're using?

[@andrejvolcansek3232]

Thnx. Yout videos help alot. For theese kind of subtle tweaks some people might need to switch off KZbin audio normalization.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Good tip! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@skippyweb]

If many of use have so much difficult in hearing an effect (or if this requires really good monitoring) then how important is this mixbus compression anyway (for the consumer). I also think that part of the compression effect might be lost by streaming it over youtube. Perhaps provide a high-quality wav file along with the video. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the video and the explanation that was given. It just also takes a lot of practice and experience.

[@alanredversangel]

Totally forgot that the side chain can ignore sub sounds. Too much to remember! Love the phaser sound on that mix.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

It does!

[@NLNPNL]

This was really good. It helped me understand what I need to listen for.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Great!

[@FaithfulGuitarTutorials]

Love your lessons. Thank you! There is so much foundational knowledge in them…

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching!

[@jxrx4577]

Maybe in that you can work in, how to blend the vocals into the mix. I think it would be dope

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Good suggestion, thanks

[@Baker-ulendo]

Really appreciate you for this. God bless you

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You are so welcome

[@skirize]

The theory in this video is very useful! Thank You!!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching

[@quantum_ocean]

When you flipped the attack from 3ms back to 30ms at (from 23:40) it seems the snare was still dull for a couple hits. Do you think there was some lag in the compressor doings it's job? do you hear that too? Or was it just the drummer's performance? Actualy it sounds less there are less transients at 30ms..or maybe it's just a tone difference. ugg, it's so hard to make sense of this stuff.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I think it was the drummer

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

Thx for thsi video! As always you give some really great insights on how you've gotten to where you are. Some years ago after trying several versions of SSL Bus, etc... I tried to do very little bus processing tbh. But when Arturia released their Diode Comp609 (Neve emulation), I just love what it does. I go down to 1.2 : 1 ratio & made my own starting point. Honestly it lifts my mixes so much. I hope you get a chance to check it out.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll look into it! I used the 33609 for a long time which is the same model

[@quantum_ocean]

please add chapters to your videos. I find the outline very useful for jumping to a specific section.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Noted

[@russellcameronthomas2116]

Great video and topic. What would have helped me more is if you used some time-domain and frequency-domain graphical analyzers so that the changes could be seen visually, to augment what we were hearing (or supposed to be hearing). I use FabFilter products primarily, including Pro-C2, and they include graphical analyzers and meters. I realize that most audio engineers and mix engineers who spent most of their careers working on consoles and physical gear rely mostly or entirely on their ears and not on analyzers, some of us who started more recently use analyzers extensively. Using these graphical analyzers can allow me to understand exactly what "rounded" and "tucked in" mean, in terms of changes to audio waveforms.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks Russell, I hadn't thought of that. You are right about people newer to the party, that would have helped. Thanks for the feedback!

[@dodo13500]

I think you may have helped me figure out why my mixes seem harsh, not “smooth around the edges .”

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Nice!

[@iankelly-danslestudio2124]

Hi, thank you for this, I've been watching a lot of your videos and find you very relevant and you are definitely sharing some very useful infos in a very practical way, so thank you! I personally am trying to get the "glue" from the different channels more and more instead of using mix bus processing cause it's been really speeding up my Atmos workflow and stem export. Cheers!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thank you. I’m glad you find my videos helpful. That’s sounds like a great approach for your workflow.

[@mariopak4817]

Love your tips! Thanks.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad you like them!

[@MarcBecker_Music]

Great video, Sara, thank you.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're welcome Marc!

[@oliv773]

It helps a lot Thank you so much 🙏

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're welcome!

[@sword-and-shield]

13:53...Always my struggle to make sure the FOH guy was giving me this. Clearly a mixer after my heart.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yes!

[@sword-and-shield]

@@SaraCarterSimplyMixing Yeah, not every club gave it to me, but I wanted everyone on the floor to feel my kick hammer their chest even more than hearing it....thx for the vid.

[@RB-in2zh]

Thank you for making it very easy to learn.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're very welcome!

[@zank2002]

What a great video! Thanks a lot

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're very welcome!

[@quantum_ocean]

I can't hear the difference in msot of these settings. I'll listen to the snare but can't tell the difference been variation in compression and variation in drummer's performance. I'll try it myself with a drum machine to eliminate that variable!

[@VictorWetzel]

Love your video ! Thank you !

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks for watching!

[@brucehathcockmusic]

Im not sure burt one of the differences I here in the changes are the strokes of the pick on the guitar. Am I supposed to hear that is sounds good. but just wondering?

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Absolutely! You're hearing the transients aspect of the guitar sound there.

[@thewaxbiscuit]

Thanks Sara, this was perfect.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're so welcome!

[@francescoantoniomonaco]

Great video!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@The-Skyking]

Great video. I sometimes have a hard time mixing into compressors. I always have to go and adjust them after everything I do, even when gain staging. I'll be adjusting a track and it'll be acting weird and then remember I'm mixing into a compressor and it's just not letting me mix. I like trying different compressors and just listening to them. What do they do to the bus or the whole mix, tonally. I know VCA is a big one people go for, but I really like tube compressors on the mix bus. Something slow and gentle. VCA I really like on drum busses or something with a lot of transients.

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I sometimes put a UAD Fairchild on the mix bus just for the tone, not even compressing. It comes down to having a reason to use one and choosing the best one for that idea. Thanks for watching!

[@닥터최]

sara thx

[@DbiPro]

Can I take 4 compressors and put them on different mix buses and send my mix to them and use each compressor for a section as if it were a multi band

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Like Michael Brauer?

[@Walid.OnTheTrack6725]

beautiful, brilliant, magnificent whatever you want please make more videos cause that's so helpful

[@kendallhoulder5139]

Thank for this Example...

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You're welcome, I hope it wasn't too subtle!

[@kendallhoulder5139]

@@SaraCarterSimplyMixing it was fantastic just what i wanted & needed to curb my compression blues...i'll share it to my friends !! Thank you Again. Hey Sweetie got any multiband stuff ????

[@Charlie_Echo]

Really useful video, Sara, thank you! I have a follow-up question if you have time... How do I set levels when mixing into compression from the start? I know that I want to end up with 1-2dB of compression at the end, but if I pull up (say) the kick drum first and get 1-2dB on that, then by the time everything else is up I'll have way too much compression overall. How do I know what levels to start with as I'm bringing tracks into the compressed mix? Thank you! 🙏

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Sounds like you be trying to do top down mixing and if so that may not be the best option especially if you are in the beginning phases of the craft. If you are trying to mix into your compressor, then the first thing you may need to do is proper gain staging the volume on each instrument with a VU meter. Many people go for - 18dbfs. Of course the more instruments you add this number will fluctuate but you want to stay within that range as that will allow you headroom for processing EQ, compression and saturation. Once you have a decent mix of balance and volume THEN maybe look at adding the mix bus compressor and make moves and adjustments as needed. That would be my advice for whatever it is worth or not.

[@redbigapplefloppa302]

Are there any bus compressor vsts you folks would recommend me? I'm mainly producing hiphop (-instrumentals/beats) in fl studio and i'm unsure on which to buy or even if maximus can get the job done. Greetings from germany

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

The SPL Iron is a really versatile bus compressor. It’s one of my current favourites

[@ivomatic13]

Hi Sara, you mentioned that you don’t route the cymbals to the 2bus, could you expand on that? Thank you

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

I don't always route cymbals to a drum bus if I don't like how drum compression may make them sound. It depends on the song if I choose to or not.

[@ivomatic13]

@@SaraCarterSimplyMixing thank you!

[@Andysmusicaljourney]

I like your explanations, but I do have to admit that my ears remain firmly locked. I can't hear a difference in the snare no matter how many times I listen to it. With transient shapers I can hear the difference, but with the sort of mild adjustments you make here, I just can't recognize it.

[@natekigo3660]

Hey Sara! I'm curious to know what your Computer Specs are?

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Specs = Spectacles or Specifications? 🤣

[@peteproudlove8815]

Grand as ewt,, thanks Sara ;)

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Cheers Pete!

[@bradleypower4803]

It seemed like the faster release kept the volume louder due to the increased make-up gain, is this accurate?

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yes, quite so. Release times effect output volume. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonverhoek4914]

You rock

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks 😊

[@user-vd3if4wq6m]

Your awesome

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks!

[@helmanfrow]

14:40 Nope. Heard no difference. Maybe I need a sub. Or another pair of headphones. Or to be 25 years younger...

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

😅

[@jrunundeniable]

thanks, informing video!

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks for watching! Glad to help

[@davidasher22]

I honestly don’t think you’re getting “a sound” from that compressor just by running audio through it. I don’t hear any difference when you go in and it out. I don’t own that specific plugin but most plugins of that nature are not affecting the sound until you actually start compressing and your usually not compressing until the needle moves. I may be wrong, but a simple way to test my theory is by attempting a null while compressor is on but not actually compressing. If there’s a free trial I’ll test it myself. But I’d be surprised if the developer actually tried modeling SSL style circuit saturation.

[@rome8180]

Why would you not make the plugin and not model the SSL circuitry? In fact, I'm not sure I've ever heard of an SSL plugin that DOESN'T model the circuitry. They're usually directly based on a particular unit.

[@rome8180]

Just got to that point in the video, and I don't think that's what she was even saying. She's saying that the compressor can be working without any detectable movement of the needle. That's a very different statement than saying simply running audio through it affects the sound. Also, the needle was moving anyway. So this is all moot.

[@davidasher22]

@@rome8180 idk.. I definitely thought I heard a difference while watching. Only until I tried with my eyes closed did I realized I couldn’t hear the difference. I did download the plugin and test out my assumptions. And it did act the way I thought it would. There’s no change in the audio until the needle starts moving. I didn’t notice the tiny movement before. I was reacting to a part where she said something like “even if the needle doesn’t move it will still work”. Maybe I misunderstand her. I just felt like that statement meant the plugin was creating a sound even though it wasn’t compressing which isn’t true. But I’m not trying to argue. There definitely are plugins out there that try to emulate the non linear behaviors of hardware like circuit saturation but it’s not the norm and this plugin is definitely not doing that. Feel free to communicate and test results you have. Have a safe and happy year! Cheers!

[@x2mars]

Not hearing anything 🫤

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Yeah, I know it's subtle, sorry 🙁

[@CyanideLovesong]

Oh my god, really? "If you can't hear this compression, you need to buy my course!" What a sham... You have a ratio of 2 with a long release that is barely moving. There's like 1 dB of gain reduction with no movement. Of course people can't hear it. Shame on you for the manipulative video.

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

I would wager a bet as an astrologer you were born at night w/ the moon above the horizon and in a water Sign . . . .

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

You might be right! Or not!

[@faz0482]

Glad you're back, you my no.1 source for tutorials about mixing. As an engineer myself I found that we are on the very same page in terms of workflow, choice of gear and alike. Love it, and i love you accent! is it from the north of England?

[@SaraCarterSimplyMixing]

Thanks Faz_! Yes, I'm from 'oop North 😅