anyone use a compressor for ur mixes? if yes, why? better sound?

i do for years and to be honest i am not an engineer and don't even know if its set up right...i only compress the signal a couple of db's.

i don't use it for limiting but more to 'soften' up the kick...it makes the mix a bit more punchy and tighter sounding

@ least IMHO

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don't get one if you know nothing about it. i've heard so many soundsystems with bad compressors/limiters that i came to the conclusion that only the real pro's should use them

Compression hides your mistakes in dynamics (loudness) when mixing. It might make your mix sound better if you can't control your dynamics but it also dulls the sound. Don't rely on compressors to be there when DJing.

use them strictly for recording purposes when djing.

Basically, compressors do nothing more than make the dynamic range (the range in decibles between the loudest loud and the softest quietness) less. The result is that you can't hear differences in volume change quite as much. It makes up for bad gain control during the recording. Good djs shouldn't need one. The only reason that pros use it is to help master CDs for sale. You should be able to master gain control after a few years.

If however you decide to get one, then I would suggest that you get this. Look under very nice compressor (VNC). Hands down it is the best for under $2000. It is only $199 at that!

EDIT: What I mean by "Making the dynamic range less" is that it uses an algarithm to compress it. It doesn't just chop the sound quality off.

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Last edited by Dj Flesch on Jun-23-2004 at 04:13

What compressors really do is take all the highest sounds and the lowest of the lows pressed inwards, to make the sound much tighter and punchier. It doesn't just "get rid of the sounds", it makes it much more compressed. It's a guitarists "must-have" for them, but for DJ's it doesn't make lots of sense, except in a recording studio. I wonder if any big name DJ's use them for live. If you're good enough, I'm sure it makes it sound even better.

quote:

Originally posted by packfan88c What compressors really do is take all the highest sounds and the lowest of the lows pressed inwards, to make the sound much tighter and punchier. It doesn't just "get rid of the sounds", it makes it much more compressed. It's a guitarists "must-have" for them, but for DJ's it doesn't make lots of sense, except in a recording studio. I wonder if any big name DJ's use them for live. If you're good enough, I'm sure it makes it sound even better.

You're looking at this from a production standpoint. From a DJ's standpoint, it will smooth out the amplitude imbalances when mixing from track to track. Aggressive settings will give a tighter, punchier sound, but I wouldn't recommend aggressive settings for a mix, as then you'll most likely overcompress (which sounds like shit).

if you learn to mix properly- then you wont need a compressor- the amplitude can remain pretty constant throughout.

Although whacking one over a pre recorded mix can beef it up a tad- nowt wrong with that.

Every club i work at has a limiter- which also compresses slightly (very noticable when its unplugged)

I am experimenting with some compressor settings in Cool Edit to give my recorded mixes a punchier sound like that found in ASOT broadcasts.


Anyone have some suggestions for settings?

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Thats a broadcast compressor/limiter
They have to have harsh conpression due to the signal/noise ratio and the fact that if it clips/distorts on air they lose their licence