compression

This video demonstrates the effects of using compression in a mix.

Discussing compression is opening a can of worms. Robert Henke (Monolake) avoided compression on his latest release, commenting:

Radio, and more recently mp3 players and laptop speakers influenced the way popular music is composed, produced and mastered: Every single event has to be at maximum level all the time. This works best with music that is sonically simple, and music in which only a few elements are interacting. A symphony does not sound convincing thru a mobile phone speaker, and a maximized symphony does not sound convincing at all.

My take on compression is that extreme compression would ideally be left to playback devices, unless it’s being used as a creative tool. If you’re listening to that classical symphony or Monolake release in your car, you could push the “compression” button and hear the quiet bits, without the need for for the track to be squashed. Read more…

This tutorial, via TronAudio, looks at how to use compression in Ableton Live:

This is a nice wee video Iv done, to help all of you out there struggling with compression. I explain what a compressor is, how it works, the parameters you need to understand, and various ways and techniques of using one to achieve a variety of results, from Mixing, shaping sounds, sidechaining to FX. Hope its of good use.

In episode 3 of the Get To Know Your Gear series, the guys from Blorp Corp get to know/pimp the Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument/Line Preamp.

Sidechain Compression in Ableton Live 8

via AbletonInc:

Huston Singletary explains and demonstrates the popular “pumping and breathing” effect used on countless electronic and dance tracks. Live 8’s intuitive Compressor-Sidechain effect is explained and a custom preset is created in the studio showing the characteristics of this classic audio effect.

This video, via HomeStudioCorner, looks at processing bass by duplicating the track.