NY Compression VS Parallel Compression - What's the difference - feat. I Heart NY

Summary

In this video, the host explores the 'I Heart New York' parallel compression plugin by Baby Audio, emphasizing its simplicity with only three controls. He explains the concept of parallel compression, contrasting it with New York compression, which is characterized by aggressive settings and a 'smiley face' EQ curve. The tutorial demonstrates applying the plugin to a master track to enhance punch and power without exceeding volume limits, and also shows a creative use of the solo button for individual tracks. The host encourages viewers to experiment with the plugin and shares tips for achieving a balanced and powerful mix.

Takeaways

• 🎚 Parallel compression is a technique where a compressed signal is mixed with the original 'dry' signal, while New York compression is a specific style of parallel compression with aggressive settings and a 'smiley face' EQ curve.
• 🔧 The 'I Heart New York' plugin by Baby Audio is designed for New York compression, offering simplicity with only two knobs and a slider for easy adjustment.
• 🎛 The 'Spank' knob on the plugin represents the aggressive compression and EQ settings, while the 'Parallel Volume' slider controls the volume of the compressed signal, keeping the dry signal constant.
• 👂 The 'Solo' button allows users to listen to just the compressed signal, which can be useful for fine-tuning the balance between the dry and compressed sounds.
• 📊 The script emphasizes the importance of not exceeding the original volume when applying parallel compression to maintain the perceived improvement in sound quality.
• 🎵 A common application for parallel compression, including New York compression, is on the master bus or a submix to add punch and evenness to the overall mix.
• 🔗 The script provides a practical demonstration of applying the 'I Heart New York' plugin to a master track, showing how to match the peak levels and add compression without increasing the overall volume.
• 🛠️ The 'Solo' feature is also shown being used creatively by soloing the compressed signal and adjusting it within a parallel compression rack for additional control.
• 🎶 The script concludes with a recommendation to use the plugin for its ease of use and effectiveness in achieving the desired New York compression sound, priced at an affordable $29.
• 📝 The video creator encourages viewer interaction by asking for feedback and questions in the comments, and offers to provide further information or tutorials on request.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is discussing and demonstrating the use of a parallel compression plugin called 'I Heart New York' by Baby Audio, which is designed to emulate the New York compression style.

What is parallel compression?

Parallel compression is a mixing technique where a compressed version of a signal is mixed with the original, unprocessed 'dry' signal to control the dynamic range and add sustain or 'punch' without significantly altering the original sound's character.

How is New York compression different from regular parallel compression?

New York compression is a specific type of parallel compression known for its aggressive settings and a 'smiley face' EQ curve that boosts the lows and highs, adding punch and power to the sound.

What are the key features of the 'I Heart New York' plugin by Baby Audio?

The 'I Heart New York' plugin features only three controls: a 'Spank' knob for compression and EQ, a 'Parallel Volume' slider to adjust the level of the compressed signal, and a 'Solo' button to isolate the compressed signal for easy blending.

Why is the 'Solo' button on the plugin useful?

The 'Solo' button is useful for isolating the compressed signal, allowing the user to hear only the processed sound and adjust the 'Parallel Volume' slider to blend it with the dry signal without affecting the overall volume.

How does the 'Spank' knob on the plugin work?

The 'Spank' knob on the plugin controls the amount of aggressive compression and EQ applied to the signal, emulating the characteristics of New York compression.

What is the purpose of the 'Parallel Volume' slider?

The 'Parallel Volume' slider adjusts the volume of the compressed signal, allowing the user to mix the compressed and dry signals without affecting the original signal's level.

Where is a common place to apply parallel or New York compression?

A common place to apply parallel or New York compression is on a bus or the master channel, where it can affect multiple tracks simultaneously, adding punch and evenness to the overall mix.

How does the script suggest using the plugin on individual tracks?

The script suggests using the plugin on individual tracks by creating a parallel compression rack, which allows the user to apply the plugin to a specific track while maintaining control over the dry signal.

What is the importance of not exceeding the original volume when applying parallel compression?

Not exceeding the original volume when applying parallel compression is important to ensure that the compression is enhancing the sound rather than merely increasing its loudness, allowing for a more natural and effective use of the technique.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Introduction to Parallel and New York Compression

The speaker begins by introducing the topic of parallel compression, specifically focusing on a New York style compression plugin called 'I Heart New York' by Baby Audio. They differentiate between regular parallel compression, where any type of compression runs alongside a dry signal, and New York compression, which uses aggressive settings and a 'smiley face' EQ to boost lows and highs, adding punch and power to the sound. The speaker outlines their plan to discuss the plugin's simplicity with only two knobs and a slider, delve into its inner workings, and demonstrate its use in various applications.

05:01

🔊 Applying Parallel Compression on the Master Bus

The speaker demonstrates how to apply parallel compression using the 'I Heart New York' plugin on the master bus of a mix. They emphasize the importance of not exceeding the original volume to ensure the compression's effects are heard and not just an increase in volume. They show how to set the peak levels to maintain the same volume as the original dry signal and then add the compressed signal for a more even and powerful sound. The speaker also discusses the use of the plugin's solo button to isolate the compressed signal for fine-tuning and provides a before-and-after comparison to highlight the effect of the compression on the overall mix.

10:01

🎚️ Advanced Techniques with Parallel Compression

The speaker explores advanced techniques for using parallel compression, including creating a custom parallel compression rack with the 'I Heart New York' plugin. They explain how to set up a rack with a dry signal and the compressed signal, adjusting the levels to maintain the original volume while adding the compressed signal for a thicker sound. The speaker also shows how to use the plugin's solo button within the rack to blend the compressed signal without doubling the dry signal. They conclude by demonstrating the effect of the compression on a drum track, highlighting the increased punch and evenness it provides to the mix.

Keywords

💡Parallel Compression

Parallel compression is a mixing technique where a copy of the original audio signal is compressed and then blended with the uncompressed original. This technique is used to control the dynamics of a sound without affecting its overall level, adding sustain and power. In the script, the speaker discusses how parallel compression is applied to the master bus and individual tracks to achieve a more even and powerful sound.

💡New York Compression

New York compression is a specific style of parallel compression characterized by aggressive compression settings and a 'smiley face' EQ curve that boosts the lows and highs. This technique is intended to add punch and power to a mix, making it louder and more impactful. The script describes the I Heart New York compressor by Baby Audio as a tool that facilitates this style of compression with simple controls.

💡Baby Audio

Baby Audio is a company that creates audio plugins. In the context of the script, they are mentioned as the developers of the I Heart New York compressor plugin, which is designed to apply New York-style compression with ease. The speaker praises the plugin for its simplicity and effectiveness in achieving the desired compression style.

💡Aggressive Compression

Aggressive compression is a type of compression with high ratios and fast attack times, used to significantly reduce the dynamic range of a sound. It is a key component of New York compression, as mentioned in the script, where the speaker explains that the 'spank' knob on the I Heart New York compressor represents this aggressive compression.

💡Smiley Face EQ

A smiley face EQ curve is an equalization setting that boosts the low and high frequencies while attenuating the mid frequencies, creating a curve that resembles a smiley face. This EQ setting is part of the New York compression style, as discussed in the script, where it is used to add brightness and warmth to the sound.

💡Dry Signal

The dry signal refers to the original, unprocessed audio signal that is run in parallel with the compressed signal in a parallel compression setup. The script emphasizes the importance of keeping the dry signal unchanged while adjusting the compressed signal to achieve the desired effect.

💡Peak Volume

Peak volume is the highest level of audio signal amplitude. In the script, the speaker uses a peak meter to ensure that the compressed signal does not exceed the original peak volume, maintaining the overall loudness while adding compression for a more even sound.

💡Buss

A buss is an auxiliary mixer channel that allows multiple audio signals to be combined and processed together. The script mentions using parallel compression on a buss or the master channel, which is a common practice for applying compression globally to a mix.

💡Solo Button

The solo button is a feature on the I Heart New York compressor that allows the user to hear only the compressed signal. In the script, the speaker demonstrates how the solo button can be used to adjust the balance between the dry and compressed signals effectively.

💡Drum Rack

A drum rack is a software instrument that allows multiple drum samples to be organized and played as a single instrument. In the script, the speaker applies parallel compression to a drum rack, illustrating how the technique can be used to add punch and evenness to drum sounds.

💡Macros

Macros are user-defined controls that can adjust multiple parameters simultaneously in a digital audio workstation. The script describes how the speaker uses macros to automate the introduction of the compressed signal in a parallel compression setup, providing a hands-on example of practical application.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of parallel compression and its difference from New York compression.

Overview of the 'I Heart New York' plugin by Baby Audio, which offers a unique take on parallel compression.

Explanation of the simplicity of the plugin's interface with only three controls.

Discussion on the technical aspects of how parallel compression works behind the scenes.

Definition and purpose of New York compression, including its aggressive settings and 'smiley face' EQ curve.

Demonstration of how the 'Spank' control on the plugin combines aggressive compression and EQ.

Practical advice on using the plugin without exceeding the original volume of the signal.

Live example of applying the plugin to a master track to achieve an even and powerful sound.

Creative use of the plugin's 'Solo' button for mixing compressed signals.

Tutorial on creating a parallel compression rack with the 'I Heart New York' plugin.

Explanation of how to use the plugin on individual tracks, such as a drum bus.

Technique for adjusting the plugin's settings to achieve a specific sound without altering the original volume.

Discussion on the importance of keeping the dynamic range in check while adding compression.

Final thoughts on the plugin's effectiveness and its ease of use for achieving New York compression.

Call to action for viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and commenting.

Encouragement for viewers to explore the plugin and reach out with any questions or for further assistance.

Transcripts

what's going on my dude so parallel

compression New York compression what's

the difference let's figure that out

right now while we take a look at the

new baby audio plug-in I Love New York

let's get into it what's going on my

dudes today I want to talk about this

new plugin I really like to call I heart

New York it's a parallel compression

plugin but in the New York compression

style so what's the difference well

let's start there first we'll talk about

what is parallel compression like

regular parallel compression and then

we'll talk about what is New York

compression because there is a

difference then we'll take a look at the

plug-in itself there's only two knobs in

one slider so it's actually easy to use

but I want to talk about what's

happening behind the scenes so you guys

can take advantage of it better and then

finally let's see this plug-in in action

all right I'm gonna show you guys my

favorite ways to use it in hopes of

maybe that'll inspire you guys to try

some cool stuff all right let's get into

it so parallel compression is any type

of compression running in parallel along

with a dry signal while New York

compression is specific compression and

EQ settings running along parallel with

a dry signal the settings for the

compression is usually very aggressive

and the EQ is a smileyface EQ which

boost the lows and the highs using New

York compression is supposed to add

punch and power to your sound let's take

a look at how the I heart New York

compressor by baby audio does it so as

you can see this compressor only has

three knobs

it's got spanked output and the parallel

volume slider now right off the bat this

parallel volume slider is not a wet and

dry it's actually just the volume of the

compressed signal so the dry always

stays the same and then you add in as

much of this as you want there's also a

solo knob so you could hear just the

compressed signal and there's a cool way

to take advantage of that and I'll show

you guys that in a bit now spank is

gonna be that combination of aggressive

compression and EQ that I was talking

about and

here in the signal you could see what I

mean so there's an incoming signal and

that is split and this is what I mean by

parallel so the dry signal runs along

untouched and then the parallel signal

goes into the amount of spank you want

and you could turn that up and adjust it

and then it goes into the parallel

volume the slider I was talking about

and then both signals are brought back

together and then the output knob

controls the entire volume it's pretty

easy to understand but let's stop

talking about it jump into the door and

see this guy in action all right guys

let's get into this oh but before we do

if you guys are learning something new

about parallel compression new your

compression please hit that like button

hit that subscribe button it really

helps me out and if you guys have any

questions on any of the stuff that I've

said or I'm about to say please leave it

in the comments I always get back to you

alright guys let's see this guy in

action alright so the first place that

is a very common place to put parallel

compression New York compression

remember the only difference is newer

compression is super aggressive and is

going to be a boost on the lows and the

highs right it's gonna make a sound more

punchy a very common place to start

adding parallel or New York compression

would be a buss ascend or the master ok

so let's start out at the master I'm

going to click on my master and you can

see that I've got an I heart New York

right here okay let's open this guy up

on the other screen there it is alright

and if you notice I've got this little

guy right here basically all this is

doing is showing me a peak readout of

well the track right and it's the same

as tabbing over and looking at your

readout here for the sake of ease I like

to add it right to the track it's just a

max for live device no big deal so the

first rule about adding parallel

compression is you don't want to exceed

the volume right because as human beings

we like things that are louder okay it's

just the way it is so a lot of times if

we just add compression or volume to our

signal then we say like oh wow it sounds

better but when you keep the volume the

same you can tell if it's actually the

volume you like or what the compressor

is adding so I'm gonna leave

they're off for a second and let's just

listen to a second of this and you'll

see that the peak hits around negative 3

dB

right

[Music]

all right now

what we want to do is add in our

parallel New York compression and we

want to go ahead and make sure that the

peak is sitting around we don't want to

exceed the peak by too much right I mean

it's not a perfect world but we're gonna

do our best and that's why I have this

meter here so let's go ahead and listen

and also notice what the peak volumes

are doing so here we go

[Music]

so we're right around the same peak

volume and I could tweak it a little

more we could bring it down just a tiny

bit more if you really want to keep it

exact now we have a more even signal you

can see us not jumping quite as high

it's not jumping quite as low and we've

reduced the dynamic range and added a

bit of power without totally exceeding

the limits so let me do it one more time

for you guys and I want you to hear how

everything becomes a little more punchy

a little more even and I'll a be it a

little bit for you back and forth here

we go so start with it off

[Music]

to me the signal becomes a lot more even

and I can hear the instruments in my top

register a bit more even and as powerful

as the low this is a hip-hop song so you

would imagine the 808 is going to be the

loudest element in the mix and it is

however we want the whole track to come

across as even and powerful even though

our 808 is banging okay so that is the

thing that I noticed there I was getting

more of an even signal to the whole mix

alright so I heart New York worked great

on our master I want to show you guys

one more really cool way that we could

use this and it has to do with that solo

button that I was telling you about

earlier so let's jump over to the drum

track okay here we are on our drone

track and it's actually a drum rack so

it's more like a drum bus right so we

can use these on individual tracks

but most of the time we're going to use

parallel compression on buses and the

master that's how I like to use them

anyway but I want to show you guys this

extra thing right here so check this out

I made a parallel compression rack so

we're actually going to see two things

in action we're going to see regular

parallel compression and also how we

could put I heart New York inside a rack

alright so check this out

regular parallel compression okay let's

just kind of take a quick second and

review it right so here's our dry signal

so let's go ahead and make this rack

right here on the fly for you guys as

well so you know how to do that as well

alright so what I want to do is first of

all just grab a glue compressor right

because why not right we all probably

have that if we have Ableton so we're

gonna go ahead and set this guy up right

so parallel compression is any type of

compression so what I'm gonna do is put

it into a rack by hitting command Jake

okay and then I'm gonna look in my

chains and what I want to do is I want

to name this glue I'm gonna do this

really quick for you guys and I'm gonna

go ahead and make a new chain by

right-clicking and I'm gonna call this

dry alright and you know I could set

this this is I'm gonna show you guys a

typical New York compression setting

super-aggressive right that would be

super aggressive but again I don't have

to stick to that because remember

parallel compression is any type of

compression but I just wanted to show

you what an aggressive compressor would

look like

and furthermore if you wanted to see

exactly what New York impression looks

like it would be something like this

with a smiley face curve so here's a

couple ways to do it we could do it like

this you know boosting the highs and

lows or we could maybe put a shelf and

do it like this so somewhere right

around 100 and then you know something

like that and I've talked to a baby

audio they said on their particular

compressor they don't have the attack

that fast to preserve some of the

transients so I'm assuming they open up

their attack a bit more but a typical

New York compressor would have a super

fast attack so this is sort of what baby

audio is doing to their signal not

really important just wanted to show you

guys that so any type of compression

setting running in parallel with a dry

signal is parallel compression awesome

so how could we get baby audio in here

okay well let's go ahead and drag that

guy in so let's see where we got it

right back here I'm gonna bring it in

now remember this is simply a it's not a

wet and dry knob right this is simply a

level of how much new your compression

you're going to add so if I any amount

would always give the dry signal to and

I don't want that in a rack do i right

because I have my dry signal right here

don't want another version of a dry

signal so this would be doubling it up

and this is where the solo button comes

in handy so if you hold on to the solo

button there engage that and bring this

guy all the way up now you can mix that

in just like you would any other

compressor okay I hope that makes sense

so we've kind of built that right here

um I went a little bit further and made

some macros and all they're gonna do is

introduce the signal so we can get rid

of this now okay and we can go ahead and

have some fun with this so again what I

like to do is I want to bring these guys

back down and let's go ahead and solo

the drums okay and let's take a listen

I've got my little I got my little Swiss

Army my little Swiss whatever this

thing's called Swiss Army meter I'll put

a link in the description it's actually

really cool I think it's like three

bucks so let's go ahead and look at our

signal

as we play it and add in our compression

and we're going to thicken up our sound

without adding a significant amount of

gain okay

let's start out with the glue another

cool thing I want you to notice before I

start out is that in this particular

situation I've done something different

I went ahead and put a utility and made

it mono so in this particular compressor

here this guy right here this glue I'm

actually compressing the mids right so

mid side I'm compressing the mids

alright so let's go ahead and add that

and real quick since we're doing this

from the beginning I want to bring my

dry back to zero because that's another

thing that we could adjust later so here

we go let's go ahead and check out our

signal and then start adding in the glue

without adding in too much volume

alright guys we didn't have to watch me

go through the entire process I

explained how we're gonna do it now

let's see the result okay alright

remember before we had that negative 10

peak now let's a be it notice the peak

stay is the same but we get way more

punch here we go off alright guys I hope

that was helpful and entertaining if you

guys found that interesting please hit

that like button hit that subscribe

button it really helps me out I'll leave

a link down in the description of all

the necessary information you guys need

I recommend going and picking up this

baby audio plug-in it's only 29 bucks

and it makes New York compression done

so easy do you guys want to see anything

else in particular about this plug-in or

anything please hit me up in the

comments or reach out to me personally

alright guys see you soon

[Music]