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Originally posted by DJ TL i use cytomic the glue, and one from waves for more variable attack/release options...maybe its my peak meter in ableton acting screwy? I've been experimenting for a while now on leads and basses comparing compressed with uncompressed and when I match the gains the uncompressed keeps coming up with more presence.

Have you tried a high attack time?

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Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.

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Originally posted by DJ TL i use cytomic the glue, and one from waves for more variable attack/release options...maybe its my peak meter in ableton acting screwy? I've been experimenting for a while now on leads and basses comparing compressed with uncompressed and when I match the gains the uncompressed keeps coming up with more presence.

I did a little experiment with the glue and you are right, it does sound fuller when not compressed. But, I dont think people really use it for that. Can't speak for everyone but when I use a comp its either for :

1 - Adding some nice distortion (like with the glue when you enable peak clip and you add gain to make it clip, sounds nice.

2 - Shaping the sound a bit (long attack setting to really give it some spank, stuff you really cant achieve with the enveloppe)

Youre right tho it synths do sound less present when you compress them (well atleast with ''the glue'').

I often compress my synth group, I use a really low threshold (so the compressor is working the whole time) and a really low ratio (say, 1.10:1 or so, sometimes a little bit more). So it brings the entire dynamic range in a bit, but doesn't sound compressed, the way it would with a high ratio where the level can jump noticeably. This technique gives the synths more solidity in the mix while not noticeably interfering with their natural microdynamics.

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Originally posted by mathieu I did a little experiment with the glue and you are right, it does sound fuller when not compressed. But, I dont think people really use it for that. Can't speak for everyone but when I use a comp its either for : 1 - Adding some nice distortion (like with the glue when you enable peak clip and you add gain to make it clip, sounds nice. 2 - Shaping the sound a bit (long attack setting to really give it some spank, stuff you really cant achieve with the enveloppe) Youre right tho it synths do sound less present when you compress them (well atleast with ''the glue'').

yeah maybe the release times are too slow(100ms is lowest)....that plug in is more for groups/master.

I found the same thing when I used the waves comp aswell(less presence).

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Originally posted by DJ TL Like the title says, why do people do it? I've always compressed my synth's because I figured it needed to be done to compete in the loudness war. After spending sometime recently I am noticing that under any settings I use the uncompressed sound seems louder/fuller at the same peak volume. I see countless threads where people say I use these settings for punchier or heavier bass, etc. But why compress at all when you have an envelope generator in your synth, you have complete control of all the dynamics there. Before anyone jumps down my throat I know compression has its place with samples, sub groups, master, live recordings etc, but why on synths?

I'm with you, I don't understand compressing synths in 99% of cases.

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most leads and basses have a near 0 ms attack , so unless your using a limiter your always going to hear a slight peak get through before the compression can kick in.

Only time I compress my synths is when they have a very wide dynamic range. Ie: Lots of very soft stuff and loud stuff.

Compression helps control the peaks, as well as bringing the perceived volume of the low stuff up again.

But in general I agree, there is no real sense in compressing a synth.

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Why do people always ask retorical questions about this, with the sole purpose to find a charter to share their p.o.v.

In my case if it sounds better i use it, if not, i leave it, depends on the track and patch and result i'm after. Couldn't care less if i could do it whith an envelope.

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Originally posted by Raphie Why do people always ask retorical questions about this, with the sole purpose to find a charter to share their p.o.v. In my case if it sounds better i use it, if not, i leave it, depends on the track and patch and result i'm after. Couldn't care less if i could do it whith an envelope.

how is it a rhetorical question if I am asking the question in order to seek a logical response?

You already have given the answer yourself (the envelope) you also say that you understand what compression does, put these 2 together and the only conclusion can be, that it makes no sense to you and you're ready for a debate

I could ask the same question for sidechain, as the same effect can be done with an envelope / LFO as well.

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Originally posted by Raphie You already have given the answer yourself (the envelope) you also say that you understand what compression does, put these 2 together and the only conclusion can be, that it makes no sense to you and you're ready for a debate I could ask the same question for sidechain, as the same effect can be done with an envelope / LFO as well.

fair enough but isnt that the whole point of having a forum?

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Originally posted by DJ TL fair enough but isnt that the whole point of having a forum?

There are many purposes for having a forum, the least of which is quibbling about micro-surgical technical details in an uninformed manner which arrives at a conclusion that could not possibly be described as decisive or insightful, in any way.

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