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Posted by djms on Aug-07-2006 13:35:

bass and kick compression

how do you guys compress your bass/kick,

at the moment I'm sidechaining the basslines to the kick drum but does anyone do any additional compression on the tracks at all......

Posted by cybernetica on Aug-07-2006 14:10:

I use the waves L2 on kick and bass separately.

Posted by djms on Aug-07-2006 14:11:

and what does that do? i thought L2 was just a limiter......

Posted by cybernetica on Aug-07-2006 14:52:

It's an "ultramaximizer" which maximizes the signal to a certain limit. You can also use it as a simple limiter, but it's more than that. Its like a compressor with maximum ratio. Your bass will be pumped up to the max without distorting. Basically a maximum ratio compressor and limiter in one.

Posted by Atlantis-AR on Aug-08-2006 00:18:

quote:
Originally posted by cybernetica
It's an "ultramaximizer" which maximizes the signal to a certain limit. You can also use it as a simple limiter, but it's more than that. Its like a compressor with maximum ratio. Your bass will be pumped up to the max without distorting. Basically a maximum ratio compressor and limiter in one.

But it's still a limiter.

Personally I wouldn't use a limiter for that very reason - the infinite ratio. I prefer a compressor with a ratio between 1:1 and 2:1 in addition to compressing the kick and bass separately (subtlety is the key here).

Of course it all depends, as some styles may call for more extreme amounts of compression. Limiting the kick and bass (either individually or together) will give them a hot level (just be sure to set the output ceiling so the kick still peaks at -8.0 dB though), but is this really what you want?

The bottom line? Do what sounds right to you.

Posted by mysticalninja on Aug-08-2006 15:21:

quote:
I prefer a compressor with a ratio between 1:1 and 2:1 in addition to compressing the kick and bass separately (subtlety is the key here).
Yup, it depends on the compressor really, but with Waves C1 I end up using a tiny ratio on the kick always, between 1.2:1 - 2:1. Even 1.2:1 can be enough to add that punch to the BD you need.

Also you can't adjust Attack on L2, very important for compressing kicks.

Posted by DJ Shibby on Aug-09-2006 08:59:

UTFSE!

Posted by substorm on Aug-09-2006 21:40:

As i have posted before many times, i dont think you need to compress your kicks. Just try to find a really good kick sample or create your own, and then tweak it a bit with an eq, cut the bottom at 30, boost just a little at 35, cut some at 125 and a little boost btween 2000 - 3000. Not verry specific, but most settings depends on how the kick sounds.

Cant give you any specific tips on the bassline, i think it depends on what sound, synth, low, mid or a hign bassline. The best thing here is to trust your ears. The compressor should be used, so that it keeps the bassline tight in the mix. Eq as you think sound the best, and give room for the kick to work together with the bassline. But this also depends on where you have put your bassline keys. Keep the mids down, or you can get a verry "blurry" sound :P, and if you have some pads in there, it might kille them to!

Not a verry specific "tutorial" but im a bit tired today, just got home after a two week holiday in Greece.

Night!
C