Compression is key to apparent loudness and flat dynamics (range of volume). If you want your tracks to sound "expensive" and "big" use a compressor. The parameters can be confusing, but there's a good way to go about dialing in the right values. The basic parameters are attack, release, and threshold.
Attack
this value tells the compressor how long to wait before acting on the signal
Release
this value tells the compressor how long to compress before backing off the signal
Threshold
this value tells the compressor when to "activate" based on how much gain the signal has
...begin by setting the attack at zero, release at max, and thresh at infinity
the result will be a dynamically flat signal
next tweak the attack knob to let a bit of the beginning of the signal out
this will result in more initial punch, making for a cutty sound that comes out of the mix in the front
the release knob will change the flat/loudness of the end of the signal
compression = amplitude shaper = in your face = expensive
for example
Mariah Carey's track "Emotions"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlyVcQ8GmK0
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
1 more thing:
I would recommend adjusting the threshold before any other parameter, make sure you have a visible amount of gain reduction occuring. This way you know you're settings are affecting the sound at an audible amount. If you want a more subtle sound, dial the threshold back after you got your atack, release, and ratio back
nice work Z
I didn't know how to use compressors properly before today, and I've been reading various articles on it... but finally after reading this article I 'got' it (I followed your instructions in adjusting the threshold, attack, release, and I also changed ratio to around 3~4, and left high pass and low pass untouched).
My snares now sound punchier and it's like you said, more professional.
Post a Comment