Perfect Compression In 321 Seconds
Summary
TLDRIn this audio engineering tutorial, the presenter shares a professional trick for enhancing the mix using bus compression. Typically, an SSL G Series compressor is used with a 4:1 ratio, a super slow attack, and a quick release. The goal is to achieve a smooth -1 dB of gain reduction, followed by adding 1 dB to the makeup gain for balance. The challenge arises when the kick drum triggers the threshold, causing the top frequencies to duck. To address this, an internal sidechain feature is employed, which alters the detection point of the threshold. By setting a cutoff at 200 Hz, the compression is influenced by higher frequencies instead of being dominated by the lower ones. This results in a more cohesive mix without the 'sucking' sound caused by the kick drum. The presenter demonstrates the effect of the sidechain and how it leads to a smoother, 'glued' sound. For more information on mixing and mastering, the audience is directed to streak.com for relevant courses.
Takeaways
- đ Use an SSL G Series compressor or a similar VCA for bus compression, which is a common industry standard.
- đïž Set the ratio to 4:1 and the attack to 'super slow' (30 or 10 ms) for bus compression, with a quick release time (1 or 2 ms).
- đ Aim for about -1 dB of gain reduction and then add 1 dB to the makeup gain to balance the compression.
- đ¶ Listen to the track while adjusting the threshold to achieve the desired gain reduction for a smooth, cohesive mix.
- đ« Identify and address issues like the kick drum triggering the compressor and causing an undesirable 'sucking' sound.
- đ Utilize the sidechain feature to change the detection point of the threshold, preventing lower frequencies from dominating the compression.
- đ Use a high-pass filter (e.g., Pro Q3 set to 200 Hz) to affect the threshold based on higher frequencies instead of lower ones.
- đ Adjust the sidechain frequency to control how much the compressor is triggered by different frequency ranges.
- đ Increase the threshold once the low frequencies are no longer triggering it, to achieve a 'glue' effect on the mix.
- đ Observe the needle movement on the compressor to ensure it's reacting to the correct frequency peaks for the desired effect.
- đ For further learning, consider visiting streak.com for courses on mixing and mastering suitable for all levels of engineers.
Q & A
What is the standard VCA compressor commonly used for bus compression?
-The SSL G Series compressor is a standard VCA compressor commonly used for bus compression.
What is the recommended ratio setting for bus compression?
-The recommended ratio setting for bus compression is 4:1.
How should the attack time be set on the compressor for a smooth mix?
-The attack time should be set to super slow, which can be around 30 or 10 on the compressor.
What is the typical release time setting for bus compression?
-The release time should be set to super quick, with settings around one or two.
What is the purpose of reducing the gain by about 1 dB and then adding it back with makeup gain?
-Reducing the gain by about 1 dB and then adding it back with makeup gain helps to balance the audio levels, ensuring that the compression effect is smooth and doesn't alter the overall volume significantly.
How does the sidechain feature on the compressor help with bus compression?
-The sidechain feature allows for an internal sidechain to change the detection point of the threshold, preventing certain frequencies (like the low-end from the kick drum) from triggering the compression, leading to a smoother and more balanced mix.
What is the role of the high-pass filter (like the one from Pro Q3) in the sidechain process?
-The high-pass filter sets a cutoff point, above which frequencies will affect the threshold of the compressor. This means that frequencies below the cutoff point will not trigger the compression, allowing for more control over which elements of the mix are compressed.
Why is it beneficial to not have the kick drum triggering the compressor's threshold?
-Not having the kick drum trigger the compressor's threshold prevents the kick from dominating the compression and causing an uneven 'sucking' sound. It allows for a more even and smooth compression effect across the entire mix.
What is the result of using an internal sidechain to control the compressor's threshold based on higher frequencies?
-Using an internal sidechain to control the threshold based on higher frequencies results in a more balanced and smooth compression effect. It prevents the lower frequencies from causing the entire mix to compress unevenly.
How does adjusting the sidechain frequency affect the compression?
-Adjusting the sidechain frequency changes the point at which the compressor starts to work. By increasing the sidechain frequency, the compressor will react less to the lower frequencies (like the kick drum) and more to the higher frequencies, leading to a more even and 'glued' sound.
What is the final goal when using bus compression with the described settings and techniques?
-The final goal is to achieve a smooth, balanced, and cohesive mix where no single element is overly dominant, and the overall sound is 'glued' together without any abrupt volume changes or 'ducking' effects.
Where can one learn more about mixing and mastering techniques?
-One can learn more about mixing and mastering techniques by visiting streak.com, which offers courses suitable for various levels of audio engineers.
Outlines
đïž Advanced Bus Compression Techniques
In this paragraph, the speaker discusses advanced techniques for using bus compression to enhance a mix. The focus is on using an SSL G Series compressor, a standard VCA compressor, and a specific feature called 'glue' by cmic. The standard settings for a bus compressor are outlined, including a 4:1 ratio, super slow attack, and super quick release. The speaker emphasizes the importance of achieving a smooth, non-ducking sound by using an internal side chain feature to change the detection point of the threshold, allowing higher frequencies to trigger the compression instead of the lower frequencies, such as the kick drum. This results in a mix that 'glues' together more cohesively.
đ Further Learning in Mixing and Mastering
The second paragraph shifts focus from the technical aspects of bus compression to the resources available for further learning. The speaker invites the audience to visit streak.com for new courses on mixing and mastering, suitable for engineers of all levels. A link to these courses is provided in the description below the video, encouraging viewers to continue their education in audio production.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄBus Compression
đĄSSL G Series Compressor
đĄGlue Compressor
đĄThreshold
đĄGain Reduction
đĄAttack and Release Times
đĄSide Chain
đĄPro Q3
đĄFrequency Response
đĄMakeup Gain
đĄMixing and Mastering
Highlights
Using a gluey mix bus compression can enhance the overall mix.
The standard VCA compressor used is the SSL G Series.
Cmic's 'glue' feature is recommended for bus compression.
Standard settings for a bus compressor include a 4:1 ratio and super slow attack.
Release time should be set to super quick, around one or two.
Automatic mode can be used but manual settings are often preferred.
Aim for a minus 1 dB of gain reduction with bus compression.
Adding 1 dB to the makeup gain balances the compression.
The kick drum often triggers the threshold, causing volume issues.
An internal sidechain feature can change the detection point of the threshold.
Using a Pro Q3 EQ to set a cutoff point can affect the threshold.
Compression based on higher frequencies rather than lower ones can prevent unwanted ducking.
Adjusting the sidechain frequency allows for a smoother compression effect.
Threshold can be increased without affecting the kick's impact on compression.
The resulting sound is smoother and more cohesive.
The mix comes together without the lower frequencies dominating.
Streak.com offers courses on mixing and mastering for all levels of engineers.
A link to the courses is provided in the description below.
Transcripts
here's something you can do on most
mixes that will give you that something
that you might be missing you'll have
heard about people using a gluey mix bus
compression but I want to show you the
little trick that Pros use to take it to
the next level it's simple but it makes
all the difference so normally for bus
compression you'd use an SSL G Series
compressor it's kind of a standard VCA
that everybody uses I like the one by
cmic called the glue I'll show you the
feature it has that I think will help
you out massively when you're doing bus
compression so let me give you the
standard settings for a bus compressor
we've got a ratio of 4:1 we're going to
set the attack to super slow you can use
30 or 10 here this is the same on an SSL
and then the release time is super quick
so one or two um sometimes you can try
also automatic mode which is around
there but I like to use one that works a
lot of the time as we play the track we
pull the threshold up and we want to be
doing a about minus 1 DB of gain
reduction that way we can then add 1 DB
to the makeup gain so it balances itself
up from the amount we're taking off for
the amount then we're adding afterwards
so let's play the track and let's pull
the threshold up until we're getting
that One DB of gain
[Music]
reduction in and out Al in and
out
calling
[Music]
so as you can hear now we've got it
taking 1 DB off it's making a kind of
sucking sound and it doesn't sound very
smooth we want it to be super smooth so
it just gels it together so that it just
glues the mix but the problem we have is
as the music is coming into the
compressor it's the kick that's
triggering the threshold that way the
kick is taking all of volume and then
the top starts ducking Down based on
what the Kick's doing so there's a
feature on this called the side chain
now you may have used Side chains for
external side chains but this side chain
is an internal side chain and what this
does it changes the detection point of
the threshold so for example if I move
this up to say 200 everything under 200
will not hit the threshold first so to
show you this let me get a pro Q3 up and
set a cut off point to around 200 and
then if I put that in everything that's
above the 200 htz is going to affect the
threshold of the compressor everything
below isn't going to affect the
threshold it will still be getting
compressed but it will be getting
compressed based on these higher
frequencies rather than the lower ones
dominating so for example if I play the
track you can hear the difference
between the two and then you'll
understand why it's sucking on the
[Music]
[Applause]
compressor in and out alone in and out
alone
and then if I play it with this on
you'll hear this is the stuff at the
moment when I don't have this on that is
going to affect the
[Music]
compressor so going back to the side
chain here let's move this up so I can
show you what happens as we sweep that
up you'll see the compressor doesn't
compress as much because it's not
compressing from the kick
[Music]
Falling In and Out in and
[Music]
out so this means that I can now start
bringing the threshold up because I know
that I'm not affecting the threshold
from the kick because I've cut it off
here so now I can bring that up and
start getting a glue a
[Music]
sound in and out alone in and out
alone
[Music]
calling so as you can see the needle is
just moving on the Peaks that are at the
top now rather than the Peaks that are
at the bottom and the whole track is now
coming together let's play it again so
you can hear it going in and out before
and
[Music]
after in and out alone in and out alone
I'm
Calling
You
Falling In and Out of Love In and Out of
Love so now that you can hear that we've
stopped using the lower frequencies to
trigger the threshold it's just being
triggered by everything above 200 we're
getting a much smoother sound we don't
have the ducking anymore and it is
really glued and come together nicely so
if you want to learn more about mixing
and mastering make sure that you go to
streak.com I've got some new courses on
mixing and mastering that will be
perfect for any level of engineer there
is a link in the description below see
you
there
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