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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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We know we should use compressors but much too often, especially if you're new to mixing and playing around with compressors, we are confused a bit on how to set them up properly. What exactly do the knobs do? How much of this or that should I use and why? Most of the time and especially if you're doing it right, it should be very hard to actually "hear" a difference, unlike when you adjust the knobs on a reverb plug where you CAN actually hear an immediate difference. Because we can't hear the differences in many cases, we guess and run blindly into the process hoping we're somehow getting it right...or at least close. Sound familiar? So... here's a link that explains the functions in a basic way to get you started in the right direction with compressors, or perhaps, get you back on course. How To Use Compression The article also addresses 5 common problems in a mix and how to use a compressor to "solve" them.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/17/17 03:43 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Excellent, well written article. I love that several examples were provided.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Thanks Herb, Very useful Im going to reference it when im mixing, Hugh
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Herb,
Thanks for posting that article. I found it really useful.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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I recommend using compressor plugins which graphically show the threshold and ratio settings on an x-y plot and gain changes that are dynamically applied. I had a hard time visualizing the effect of dynamic processing in general until I starting using a plugin that showed all of this going on, along with an excellent set of presets for different specific uses. Yes, use your ears. For those that think in waveforms and mathematics, graphic displays can shorten the learning curve.
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I recommend using compressor plugins which graphically show the threshold and ratio settings on an x-y plot and gain changes that are dynamically applied. I had a hard time visualizing the effect of dynamic processing in general until I starting using a plugin that showed all of this going on, along with an excellent set of presets for different specific uses. Yes, use your ears. For those that think in waveforms and mathematics, graphic displays can shorten the learning curve. The Ozone compressor is nice for that.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I couldn't recall whether I did make a video lesson for the Berklee music production class I was in several years ago. But I found it and it shows the nice input/output and gain reduction along with threshold controls. https://youtu.be/mk2JbkFs8BI
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Cool... I did a compressor video in that class too! Used an old Izotope Tube Compressor. Compressor Video
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics. PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Cool... I did a compressor video in that class too! Used an old Izotope Tube Compressor. Compressor Video Very nice. What video software do you use?
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Herb,
Thanks for sharing the article.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics. PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Great article. Hard to think of anyone not being able to take away at least a little something from it! LANDR is an interesting business idea, too.
Will - PG Music
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