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Compressors

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    Q. Why does my kick lose weight when I compress the drum bus?

    Quite a few engineers who work with bands like driving their drum submix into fairly heavy compression, but whenever I try doing this it seems like I end up losing the low‑end weight from my kick drum...

    Sound Advice Jun 2024
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    Q. When should I start mixing through my bus compressor?

    At what point in the mixdown process do you think it’s best to engage the master‑bus compressor?

    Sound Advice Feb 2024
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    Negative Ratio Compression

    Creating Reverse Dynamics Effects

    Turn the ratio up, and a compressor becomes a limiter. Go even further and you enter the world of reverse dynamics — and unique sonic effects.

    Techniques Nov 2023
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    Q. For parallel compression, should I use different tracks or a compressor’s wet/dry control?

    When doing parallel compression, are there advantages to using the compressor fully wet on another channel, and feeding it with an aux send from the first track?

    Sound Advice Apr 2023
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    Eddie Bazil

    Compression And Expansion | SOS Podcast

    7 Practical Examples

    Eddie Bazil demystifies Compression and Expansion with a detailed explanation of their uses, which he demonstrates using plug-ins through seven practical examples.

    Techniques Apr 2023
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    Compressor Topology

    Feed-forward Or Feedback?

    Feedback and feed‑forward compressors can sound very different. Which type is right for which job?

    Sound Advice Feb 2023
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    Multi-stage Compression

    Tips & Techniques

    When and why might you want to reach for more than one compressor to process the same signal?

    Techniques Oct 2022
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    Drum Compression

    Choosing The Right Settings

    The right compressor settings give you endless power to shape the sound and groove of a multi‑miked drum recording.

    Techniques Aug 2022
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    Q. Should I compress at the recording stage?

    I’m seeing a lot of conflicting advice about using compression while recording. Some swear by it while others say it’s completely unnecessary with 24‑bit recording and modern converters. Where do you stand on this?

    Sound Advice Jul 2022
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    Compression: What Do All Those Knobs Do?

    How To Make Compressors Do What You Want

    Dynamics processing is a core mixing technique, but it’s often misunderstood. We explain how to make a compressor do what you want it to!

    Techniques Nov 2021
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    Sam Inglis, SOS Editor In Chief.

    Dynamics: Back To Basics

    Leader

    When it comes to dynamics processing, we’ve never had it so good. Once upon a time, even the largest studios had only basic...

    People Nov 2021
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    How And When To Use Multiband Compression

    Mix Processing Benefits

    Multiband compressors offer unique advantages over their broadband cousins — but they also present some perilous pitfalls for the unwary.

    Techniques Aug 2020
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    Adrian Bushby Drum Tracking snare drum

    Three Ways To Compress Snare - Mike Senior | Podcast

    Expert Tracking & Mixing Tips

    Compression can do radically different things to the sound of a snare drum, depending on how it's set up. In this episode, Mike Senior explores three ways in which a compressor can help bring your snare tracks to life.

    Techniques Jun 2020
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    Q. Is a compressor’s Hold control different from its Release?

    I thought I had a handle on this, but seem to have a hard time understanding the difference between a compressor’s ‘Hold’ and its ‘Release’. Can you help explain?

    Sound Advice Mar 2017
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    Q. How does a compressor work?

    Could you explain (slowly!) the basic principles of how a compressor works, and what each control does, the ratio control in particular?

    Sound Advice Mar 2004
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    Q. What does a compressor's sidechain do?

    I have a compressor with inserts to access the side-chain. What is the side-chain and what would you use these inserts for?

    Sound Advice Jan 2004
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    Q. Can I flatten out my finished tracks using a hardware compressor?

    In my hardware-based setup, with my TC electronics Triple*C compressor, is it possible to do the kind of limiting on a full mix where you end up with a waveform that is levelled off at the top and bottom, 'brick wall'-style?

    Sound Advice Dec 2003
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    Using Your DAW's Compressors & Limiters

    Software Dynamics Masterclass

    All of the main MIDI + Audio sequencers now have a bewildering array of compression and limiting plug-ins built in, but many home musicians are unclear about what all those controls and options do. And with so many varieties of each plug-in available, which one should you choose for the job in hand?

    Techniques Mar 2003
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    Advanced Compression Techniques: Part 2

    Tips & Tricks

    Paul White further explores the secrets of successful compression, and explains how to use advanced techniques for mastering your mixes.

    Techniques Jan 2001
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    Advanced Compression Techniques: Part 1

    Tips & Tricks

    Paul White looks at different gain-control elements and their effect on audio.

    Techniques Dec 2000
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