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Just wondering, does anyone here ever use layers of compression on the same track? I find this really useful to get certain vocal tracks where I want them. Is that crazy? I should also mention that I only use software compression at the moment. I put the T-racks Fairchild on my buddy's vocal and it was still kind of all over the place dynamically but I liked the quality it added to the sound. So then I added the T-racks opto-compressor after the Fairchild and I loved it. Pulled the whole thing right in front of my face with a great breathy tone. Comments, corrections, suggestions appreciated. I guess I'm just looking to get vindicated here. Lol. :)

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natural Wed, 09/09/2009 - 17:50

It's just fine really, if it gets the job done.

Ultimately though,It would save you time and computer overhead if you could get the same result using just one comp or the other. You'll have to experiment a little and perhaps push it more than you think.
Getting more with less is always a valuable thing

Kev Thu, 09/10/2009 - 15:01

yep I do

" add a 4:1 ratio compressor and then add another 8:1 compressor, and you get 32:1 compression. "
nope
not that simple
especially if the thresholds are different and the detector circuits are different
but
typically I might use a higher ratio to check the peaks and then use a low to smooth things out generally
and then there is the application of attack and release times
this will make things OH so very different
then a sandwich of EQ between the stages
... side chain EQ

application of compression is a big part of the modern style of mixing
perhaps it always was
but
now with PLUG technologies you have so much more to work with and more of them

apstrong Thu, 09/10/2009 - 16:43

Sorry, I was under the impression that the ratios are multiplicative, *all other things being equal*. Is that much true? I understand that if the threshold, attack, release, gain settings are different, it will get much more complicated. But if you use two compressors with the exact same settings except for different ratios, is it true that the final result will be the same as multiplying the two ratios? I read this somewhere recently, can't remember where, but then again I've been lied to before. :)