Thread: compression question?????

Just basically.

If , when you ALWAYS add some "thing"(The Eq you mentioned, of which I am not familiar), which ALWAYS makes it sound better, try to add whatever it is that "makes it" sound better, earlier in the process. If your tracks need Eq, for whatever reason, try to add it as you mix. Actually, if you ALWAYS need ALOT of Eq, you may have "room problems"? Frequencies getting "lost", or "overdone", in the tracking room itself? OR, you may have a problem in the mix-room? Same thing, except the frequencies may "be there" and you just don't hear them "right", again, due to accoustics of the room, itself. In any Event, it worries me that you always add anything, before you're "done"...

Compression. Many times, a "bit" of compression may be added, when tracking! Vocals are a good candidate, as a bit of compression(Yes, "always", or at least almost always), can help. But, a bit is a bit! 1.2:1, at 3db, or something? For something really raucous, maybe 3:1 at 6db(If I felt I had to do much more I'd try to train the vocalist to "work" the mic a bit better!)..? And, as one of the final steps in the mix-process, you may use a bit of "smoothing" compression overall, I don't know? Again at 3:1/6db? More "limiting", then anything - if needed(Though it shouldn't be much needed, if you monitor your levels all the way through the process!). 10:1+, should be reserved for "effects", on individual instruments, say... Yes, you'll hear from alot of people who use a whole lot more compression/limiting than even this! If you like their sound, go for it! If you like to hear the entire range of a performance, don't. Stay away from "heavy" anything "overall".

Truth to tell, very little compression/limiting/Eq, is needed if one is careful when tracking! Get the levels right going in! Move things around, use different mics or mic techniques, "fix" the room accoustics, then, do a proper mix - use the volume controls for the different sources - gently! And always keep in mind that while compression can help raise the "average", or "apparent" loudness, it ALWAYS limits dynamics(The "range" from loud to soft), which can(should!) be an important part of your recording. While you don't want the poor listener having to reach over and turn the volume up and down 10 times through your song(Like the commercial breaks on TV?), do you want to fry their brain with a constant high level and noticable compression and "wear-them-out" before they even get through your song? I hope not.

TG

TG, thank you for your insight.