Image courtesy www.digitalsoundandmusic.com Image courtesy https://www.wikipedia.org
Once you have broadly understood the basics of compression,
we can get into the methods/processes of compression. Attack – This determines how quickly the compression
starts to work.
1. Multiband Compression - When you want to target
a particular frequency range to compress, this type of
compression can be used Release – This determines how fast (after the signal drops
below the threshold) the compressor stops.
It affects the dynamic range of multiple frequency ranges
independently of one another.
This is often used on vocals to tame harshness in the range of
5-10k
Plugins to try – Fabfilter Pro- MB, Izotope Ozone 7, Waves C6
2. Parallel Compression – In this process, one duplicates
a audio signal then compresses the copied signal and then
blends it back to the uncompressed signal.
Basically parallel compression uses a send and return setup
like you would use to send signals to an effects processor. Its
a combination of dry and wet signal.
Image courtesy https://www.wikipedia.org
Knee – Knee refers to how quickly the compressor clamps
down on the signal once it surpasses the threshold.
You would use parallel compression when you are looking
for a very forward sounding compression. Soft knee means compression kicks in more gently as the
signal passes the threshold as opposed to the hard knee.
For instance, If I want to only compress the real low
frequencies of the bass guitar, then I will insert a hard
compressor in parallel. If you want to squash a signals transient quickly, you will
want hard knee compression. Soft knee compression is
generally more musical in nature and is used to gently glue a
mix together.
Any of your favorite compressor plugins can be used for this.
3.Lookahead compression – It essentially analyzes an
input and applies compression before the signal is audible,
allowing you to tame the transients. You virtually get an
attack time which is below 0.
It is especially effective for snare drums and vocals.
Plugin to try – Softube FET compressor
4. Sidechain Compression – Basically it involves using
one audio signal to apply compression to the other audio
signal. People familiar with Electronic Dance Music are very
familiar with this type of compression.
One would normally side chain Synth sounds/Bass sounds
with the kick drum. This type of compression is also used
in broadcast for commentary, where things need to be done
almost in real time.
The commentators voice ducks the other sounds when they
speak and when they don’t speak all the other sounds come
back in front.
Plugin to try – API 2500, Waves H Comp and Softube CL1B
Parameters of Compression.
Ratio – This determines how much compression is applied. If for
instance the ratio is set to 4:1, the input signal will have to cross
the threshold by 4db for the output level to increase by 1db
Image courtesy https://www.wikipedia.org
Make up gain – This allows you to boost the compressed
signal which generally reduces in the process of compression.
You make up the gain lost due to the compression process.
Output – This will boost or decrease the level of the overall
signal output from the compressor.
These are just the basics of compression and there is a lot
more to this.
I would urge you guys to pull up your favorite compressors
and fiddle with these knobs and try and hear the effect of
each parameter.
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
43