5 Compression Mistakes We All Make

Summary

In this video, the host discusses common compression mistakes in audio production, emphasizing the importance of understanding why and how to use compressors effectively. They advise against using overly fast attack times, which can distort transients, and too slow release times, which can dampen excitement. The host also cautions against compressing 'for the sake of it' and blindly relying on presets, advocating for a purposeful approach. The key takeaway is to know the sound you're aiming for and consider other tools like saturation before defaulting to compression.

Takeaways

• 🎚️ Number five mistake: Using too fast an attack time can mess with the transients, especially with plugin compressors which are faster than hardware.
• 🔊 For aggressive drum sounds, a very short attack time can be used to squash transients, but for most music, a bit of transient is preferred for a more natural sound.
• 🎛️ Using two compressors in series is a common technique: one to allow some transient excitement and another to catch peaks, like using a DBX 160 into an 1176.
• 🕒 Number four mistake: A too slow release time can hold onto the sound for too long, annihilating the next transient and losing excitement.
• ⏲️ The right release time should allow the next transient to come through without being affected by the compression.
• 🎵 Number three mistake: Compressing for the sake of it without a clear reason can lead to unnecessary processing.
• 📈 It's important to listen to your sources and only use compression when it serves a purpose, such as controlling gain or adding character.
• 🚫 Number two mistake: Relying on presets can lead to a lack of understanding of how compression works and may not suit the specific source material.
• 🎛️ Presets can be fun to experiment with but should not replace learning the compressor's parameters and how to apply them effectively.
• 🏁 Number one mistake: Not knowing why you're using compression. It's crucial to have a clear goal or sound in mind before reaching for a compressor.
• 🎧 Other tools like saturation can achieve similar results to compression, adding body and bite to a sound without necessarily needing to compress.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing five common mistakes people make when using compression in audio production.

Why does the presenter choose to discuss the mistakes in reverse order?

The presenter decides to discuss the mistakes in reverse order, starting with number five and leading to number one, to build anticipation and keep the viewers engaged until the end of the video.

What is the first mistake discussed in the video regarding compression?

The first mistake discussed is using too fast an attack time, which can mess with the transients of a sound, especially with plugin compressors that have faster attack times than hardware.

How does the presenter suggest using a limiter to control transients?

The presenter suggests using a limiter like the L1 to catch the peaks and control the transients, rather than using the compressor itself, which is a technique often employed when recording and mixing.

What is the significance of using two compressors in series as mentioned by the presenter?

Using two compressors in series allows for the first compressor to add excitement by letting some transients through, and the second compressor to aggressively catch peaks, providing a combination of compression and limiting for a controlled sound.

What is the fourth mistake discussed in the video about compression?

The fourth mistake is using too slow of a release time, which can cause the compressor to hold onto the sound for too long and not get out of the way of the next transient, resulting in a loss of excitement in the sound.

Why does the presenter suggest not using compression just for the sake of it?

The presenter suggests not using compression just for the sake of it because not every sound requires compression, and it's important to have a specific reason for using it, such as controlling gain or achieving a particular sound.

What is the presenter's opinion on using presets in compressors?

The presenter believes that while presets can be fun to experiment with and might give you an idea of something unusual, they should not be relied upon without understanding the compressor's settings and how they apply to your specific source material.

What is the number one mistake according to the video?

The number one mistake is not knowing why you are using compression and what sound you are trying to emulate. The presenter emphasizes understanding the role of compression in the context of other elements like microphones, preamps, and tape saturation that contribute to the final sound.

How does the presenter demonstrate the effect of compression on an acoustic guitar?

The presenter demonstrates the effect of compression on an acoustic guitar by adjusting the attack and release times and showing how these adjustments affect the transients and overall energy of the guitar sound.

What alternative to compression does the presenter suggest for adding body and bite to a snare sound?

The presenter suggests using saturation, such as from a distortion pedal, as an alternative to compression for adding body and bite to a snare sound, as it can achieve a fuller and more rounded sound without relying solely on compression.