Just checking to see what ratio is normally used in rock for boosting volume without squashing the song too much. I just finished a song and applied a 2:1 stereo compression to it. Its still not loud but has very prominant dynamics. (sounds good in my opinion but just not very loud). Is a 3:1 ratio considered too severe in today's rock music?
Justin

Im stuck with my Alesis 3630, Ive found that trying to understand the manual is a real process within itself.
Ive been knob dicking with it for about 1yr now,and have found the good and bad in the unit,but to tell you the truth,I still have confusion when it comes time to really understanding,threshold,ratio,attack,release etc.

Any clever comments on this?

A lot of time i get the advice from Master engineers that i should leave master compression all together when mixing.

This makes me wonder if any Master engineer ever done a pop mix(Not jazz, classical etc.)

Have they ever heard what compression can do to a mix/balance if applied heavily on a downmix?

i know there is probably no right or wrong answer. but when mastering a stereo track through hardware which is better from those of have the experience, eq then compress, or compress than eq?

i am experimenting on mastering to a 1/2" tape machine, and wanted to know my best hardware or software routing for a final dump down.

ryan

When recording heavy distorted guitars, going from a tube head driving a cabinet, Micing the cab, into a preamp, and then into DAW, what's the ideal place in the chain to apply compression?

If I am recording using a spaced pair Micing setup and I want light compression on both mics, would the serious studio engineer use two seperate compressors as inserts on two seperate channels on the mixing desk or are there compressors out there capable of dealing with two inputs and which have two outputs?

IMHO compression is one of important things you have to understand or master if your gonna pursue life on audio :) pls share some tips or tricks :) ...is ok to put little comping as in 2:1 and has a low threshold?

As a trained singer I do my best to sing at right kind of levels and have studied and practiced mic technique. I've been trying to find out more about the recording process and was suprised to be told by one engineer that the quality of the vocal compressor isn't that important. In my recording experience, engineers always seemed to save one of their best compressors for vocals.

Hi,

I'm about to buy the mbox w/the special bundle which comes w/some extra plugins.

My question is: how does one go about using the software-based compression plugins that comes w/pro tools? Will I apply the compression in real time as it is being recorded, or do I apply the compression afterwards (or do I have the choice?)?

I always read about the great recordings you should listen to, to hear the best mastering jobs. Without being overly critical what are some recordings I should listen to to hear over compression, over limiting, etc. You don't have to step on toes here it's just important thing to know. :D