Stop sniffing the compression glue

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-- Stop sniffing the compression glue
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Posted by DigiNut on Aug-07-2006 17:16:

Haven't been around for a few days so excuse me if I'm "bumping"; just got a couple of things to add after reading the replies.

I used the glue-sniffing analogy for a good reason. What I'd say about compressors is that:
a) They're a common household item, almost everybody has several kinds;
b) The effect of using one is immediately visible;
c) They're generally inexpensive (both cost-wise and in terms of CPU resources);
d) They take very little thought or effort to get "right".

Point (d) is actually a very important one. There really isn't much to compression. It's gain control! People think they just haven't quite "mastered" the black art of compression, but in reality they probably have; their only problem is that they are addicted to it and are trying to use it to solve every single mix problem when other tools might be a lot more appropriate.

It's like sniffing glue, or maybe paint thinner. Cheap and easy, and it works, except for the fact that you get a crappy high (volume) and do a lot of brain damage. When you've got a compressor on every channel, it pretty much negates whatever value there might have originally been in having compressors on two or three channels. At that point, you're just giving your mix brain damage.

There are going to be all kinds of cases where experienced people who know what they're doing will break every "rule" I've posted and end up with an amazing tune. However, I think there will be a lot more cases where less-experienced producers disregard the advice and end up with a really terrible mix because of overcompression.

Don't "not use" compression, but think long and hard before doing so. Could you get a better result with EQ? Reverb or delay? Panning or stereo imaging? Exciters? Maybe even a bit of soft distortion or noise? Or maybe, you're trying to bring out a sound that doesn't need to be brought out and is better left a little buried?

My aim here isn't to create a "10 Commandments of Compression" that everyone must follow. It's merely to alter or at least alert people to a dangerous way of thinking which can sneak up on you quite subtly. Fight the urge - only start up the compressor when you're sure you actually want to compress. Realize that compression is actually not synonymous with "bringing out" a sound, and is merely one tool - and often an inferior one - for accomplishing said task.

Don't be a compressaholic.

Posted by azndragon0613 on Aug-07-2006 17:42:

Hey guys, I know this may seem like I just popped in and asked a question but I'm going to ask anyways. It's kind of stupid but what release do you put on a mastering compressor?

Posted by RickyM on Aug-07-2006 18:08:

Re: Stop sniffing the compression glue

quote:
Originally posted by DigiNut
Here are some things you should definitely NOT compress:

Cymbals (hi-hats etc. - never, ever, ever)

Snares or claps (a little bit is OK, but be very careful)

Acoustic guitar (I know it's tempting, but just don't)

Piano (good EQ will bring it out 10 times better than any compressor, and won't kill the dynamics)

Tribal percussion (sticks, congas, bongos, and so on - dear God, don't compress these)

Strings (just kill me now)

Bells or other decaying elements (they're called "decaying" for a reason - if you need to louden the tail, then adjust your synth)

Anything else that you don't want to sound cold and mechanical!

Probably a lot of other things that I forgot about

Don't pass off your opinion as fact...I would disagree with you on not compressing your tribal percs, hi-hats, claps...I find it works very well on some of these sounds sometimes. Perhaps you are compressing them wrongly?

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