Thread: Compression...Ratio & Attack & Release

So I'm gonna try and keep at trying to understand mixing (and get better at it)...so I'm gonna pick a part of it and focus on it until I become familiar with it maybe comfortable...we'll see how long this lasts before i become frustrated lol anyway...


I was wondering in general what would be considered for attack & release fast, slow, or medium...in a range i.e., fast is .5 ms-100 ms and so forth.

As for ratio what would be considered high as opposed to low. And if anybody knows or has a link to starting points of compression settings for various instruments; kicks, snare, claps, hi hats, type of percussions all the way to pianos/el. piano/rhodes, el. guitar/ac. guitar, brass instruments, strings, leads, pads & etc ...i know thats alot just trying to get an idea of diff sounds i use so i'm not just guessing. I'll experiment once i get a foundation to stand on so i can adjust to my liking.

One more thing...some things are easy to know when its over compressed as some things aren't...what should I look/listen for so i know when i'm nearing over compression?

Thanx yall in advance-again i know its alot (and yes i'm look'in up stuff on my own and go'in back reading books again but none really answer these questions or maybe i'm not understanding the dialog)

What's up Silent-Medley? Found this article from MIX. I am also trying to fix my mixes....
http://www.barryrudolph.com/mix/comp.html

http://www.burntlogicbeats.com

Thanks for the article!
Until they make a auto mixing mastering
device, I gotta do it myself!
much to learn!!!!

use the Rcomp and try out the presets as a starting point. adjust from there each element and listen how it changes the elements of the sounds. you can hear attack/release settings well on things like bass and snares.

Good look yall...the vids that blacbeats (i think i spelled that rite) in the shareware sect helped me out alot...before i would just use a preset it got louder...i was like cool...but now i actually know what i'm listening for when i compress or at least an idea...as for the Rcomp....thas the comp i use now instead of waves compressor...they both work COMPLETELY different...i think thats what would help alot of ppl gett'in into mix'in...is not only know'in what to use and how to use it but also know'in what they are listening for...i still think i'm over compressing somethings...and somethings i don't even need to compress...trial and error...i'm gett'in there tho

Sorry for the long winded reply...but again tho thanx

Usually if you over compress , the sound will get real dull and loose its sheen. However, sometimes this is what you may want. Depends.
Start with no compression. Then play your mix. Choose sounds that disappear in the mix to compress. Sometimes its not even needed.
Compressors are tools to be used as needed. Learn why you need compression and it will make you better at setting the params. IMO
Good Luck... your going to be a beast once you perfect your mix game.
Great Goal!

the more i compress things the more i start to see things...i don't think i've over compressed anything yet...i just want to know what i'm look'in/listening for if i do so i'll know...thanx tho