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compression problem

So when i am compressing my kick i set the compressor (thresh-12, att-0,rel-75,ratio-9:1,gain-+2.8 for example) and then my kick punches and trails with a sort of sound distortion(like fuzz).

When i change the release it does not make a diff but when i change the attack it fades away with the longer attack time.

Why is this. Shouldn't the release take that fuzz away?

VP

Re: compression problem

Why are you compressing? what result do you expect?

quote:

Originally posted by Von Pistol So when i am compressing my kick i set the compressor (thresh-12, att-0,rel-75,ratio-9:1,gain-+2.8 for example) and then my kick punches and trails with a sort of sound distortion(like fuzz). When i change the release it does not make a diff but when i change the attack it fades away with the longer attack time. Why is this. Shouldn't the release take that fuzz away? VP

a fuzz is probably because of too much low end of the kick, look at this , personally i use a multiband compressor and after that a parametric eq, let the kick around -3 - -5dbs , if it is louder crunchy sound appears

Re: Re: compression problem

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie Why are you compressing? what result do you expect?

Again, what are you trying to accomplish compressing your kick? A ratio of 9:1 is pretty tight, while an attack of 0 ms means the attack will most likely be flattened, depending on the threshold. Probably not the best settings for a kick...

And a multi-band compressor is a not much better solution.

try a different kick if you dont like it.

Re: compression problem

quote:

Originally posted by Von Pistol When i change the release it does not make a diff but when i change the attack it fades away with the longer attack time. Why is this. Shouldn't the release take that fuzz away? VP

The fuzz is most likely to be rapid clicking caused by gain stepping from the 0 attack. You've given the attack no time to create a smooth gain adjustment so it has to be abrupt with the reduction.

Well what i am trying to do is follow a kick/bass compression guide that is in the "master tut" list lol. I'm new to understanding the technical aspects of compression and EQ so i am playing around with these settings that were offered in said tut.

Basically i EQ the kick first(hp at 50,notch at 800) with the db level around 0.0 to -0.1 and then i compress with the settings mentioned above. This usually creates a sweet kick thats hard and snappy. Just what i want. AAAAAAnd then this fuzz prob started.

I know that if i reduce the lower freq then it will disappear. I want to know why the attack control is solving the problem and not the release? the more i increase the attack the more the fuzz fades..

thanks VP

quote:

Originally posted by Von Pistol Basically i EQ the kick first(hp at 50,notch at 800) with the db level around 0.0 to -0.1 and then i compress with the settings mentioned above. This usually creates a sweet kick thats hard and snappy. Just what i want. AAAAAAnd then this fuzz prob started.

High-passing at 50 Hz is very risky; you might end up killing a lot of the sub. Also -0.1 dB is a very small change (maybe you mean -1.0 dB, but don't be afraid to cut more in the mixing stage). Why not post it here or send me the sample so I can give you my suggestions.

why not just use your ears?!? hear what your doing and dial in a setting that works for YOU? There is no standard recipy of, ADSR and ratio that applies for every compressor and kick.

Really, try to put something of your own in there, rather then just try to code stickies into your DAW. Really good that u read them, now go learn and apply the knowledge.

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie why not just use your ears?!? hear what your doing and dial in a setting that works for YOU? There is no standard recipy of, ADSR and ratio that applies for every compressor and kick. Really, try to put something of your own in there, rather then just try to code stickies into your DAW. Really good that u read them, now go learn and apply the knowledge.

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie why not just use your ears?!? hear what your doing and dial in a setting that works for YOU? There is no standard recipy of, ADSR and ratio that applies for every compressor and kick. Really, try to put something of your own in there, rather then just try to code stickies into your DAW. Really good that u read them, now go learn and apply the knowledge.

Still, I remember just the frustation I had when I first started using compressors, and it's not easy to get the hang of it.

True, that's why experimenting works wonders with this.
A compressor is like a GPS, it bring bring you ANYWHERE, as long as you know where u want to go. Applying compression without a purpose, just for the sake of it, doesn't work.

I usually use compression to free up other sounds and dont usually add any gain until I need to

rule number one when it comes to compression: dont use it if you dont know how or why.

quote:

Originally posted by clay rule number one when it comes to compression: dont use it if you dont know how or why.

But its the only way to learn and discover how to use it

compression is better learned by reading imo.

Readings easy, took my ears ages to notice the effects of what I was doing. I'd say I feel confident now using one, no longer just dialing in randomness to see what happeneds (and getting it totally wrong)

thats sort of my point. know what it does before start turning those knobs. its not a like filter you understand right away just by ears - its more going on and by reading up on it before trying it, things might go smoother. compression has basically ruined the last decade of edm, pop and rock and i think this is the reason - people just slam on a compressor to get louder volume.

Wouldn't go as far as saying "ruined" but it is really noticeable and in some cases way over the top. Of coures it helps if you read up but you got to get hands on with it to hear and understand whats going on. I used to read loads on compressors and they all pretty much had the same infomation in them, I think it comes down to your judgement making the right decisions for the track and you cant read up on doing that

quote:

Originally posted by clay thats sort of my point. know what it does before start turning those knobs. its not a like filter you understand right away just by ears - its more going on and by reading up on it before trying it, things might go smoother. compression has basically ruined the last decade of edm, pop and rock and i think this is the reason - people just slam on a compressor to get louder volume.

It took me 2 solid years to learn how to set one properly, and is one of my proudest achievements (not kidding). It is a combination of practice and reading. Knowing which parts of the song need which form of compression is crucial, especially transients. I never compress any of my percussion, even on the bus, before like 10-15 ms. Ever.

See i have read pretty much all the compression guides/tuts on this site and honestly still don't really know when to compress. I have took to following someones setting guide to try and figure out all the technicalities of it.
So you see how when problems like this occur i have no choice but to ask people who have more experience.

I will try and post some samples for you to hear.


thanks for the input gents

Oh and yes i did mean 0.0 to -1.0

VP

You compress under three circumstances
1/when you want to even out an inconsistent level
2/when you want to enhance a transient
3/ when you want to glue several sounds together (basically the same as 1)

quote:

Originally posted by Von Pistol Basically i EQ the kick first(hp at 50,notch at 800) with the db level around 0.0 to -0.1 and then i compress with the settings mentioned above. This usually creates a sweet kick thats hard and snappy. Just what i want. AAAAAAnd then this fuzz prob started. I know that if i reduce the lower freq then it will disappear. I want to know why the attack control is solving the problem and not the release? the more i increase the attack the more the fuzz fades.. thanks VP

You do realise that (depending on the slope) the filter will probably be smearing your transients to ******y?

I don't understand what you mean by fuzz TBH. I'd say that maybe you're hearing some sort of clipping or something due to an automatic makeup gain distorting the compressor's output. The attack might be making a difference, because if you make the attack long enough, it means that the kick isn't getting compressed because the attack isn't kicking in until after the signal is already back below the threshold. That's my guess. Post a sample.

PS
How come I can't say fuck anymore?? Actually, it appears to just be ******. Fucking word filter ******s.

back to basics, VP: Why do you want to compress this specific kick?

quote:

Originally posted by clay ******y? ******s? fuckiny? ******? Fuck. Fucka. fuck. lol i dont get whats sensored. ************

Why do you post random shit like that in every thread. Stop spamming.

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