make music now Compression for beginners

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO... NEXT MONTH

DISTORTION

On the DVD
VIDEO TUTORIAL
We’ve put together a video to
accompany our compression
walkthrough, which you’ll find
in the Videos folder
Compression It’s the most fundamental dynamics processor of all,
so you need to be able to wield it accurately…

C
3 SIDECHAINING ompressor plug-ins can be a bit compressor and learn what effect each Sonitus:fx Reverb, and this month we’ll
A special compressor configuration
which allows one signal to control the of a headache for newcomers to has on the signal. However, be illustrating our points with the
compressor’s gain stage, while the the world of computer music. It’s compressors are extremely useful tools compressor plug-in supplied as part of
compressor actually processes a not that they’re particularly complicated – both for problem solving and more the same bundle. The Sonitus:fx
completely separate signal. Not all
compressors have the features or have a large number of controls, but creative applications. Compressor is a good example of a
required to support sidechaining. it isn’t always very easy to find your way Hopefully, by the end of this tutorial, mid-range software compressor – it
3 GATE around just by experimenting and you’ll be up to speed on compressor sounds great and has a clear UI that
A feature found in the output stage of listening to the results, as you can with basics and well equipped to start actually helps the user to understand
some types of compressor. It's used effects like reverb or delay. It’s therefore experimenting with this powerful what's going on underneath it. This
to shut off the output of the
compressor when the input falls more of a challenge to really processor in your own projects. tutorial is equally applicable to other
below a set value – a useful understand the controls of a Last month we looked at the compressor plug-ins, however. cm
technique for removing background
noise on a recording which has been
made more noticeable by the
compressor’s action. RATIO
The ratio parameter works in
3 DUCKING conjunction with the threshold
A specific implementation of side- parameter and controls the extent to
chaining. Ducking is often used by GAIN REDUCTION
which the output signal is reduced in
radio DJs to talk over a record This meter shows the extent to which
response to an input level in excess
playing in the background. The the compressor is reducing the output
of the threshold value
presence of the DJ’s voice causes signal level; when the signal is being
the level of the background music heavily compressed, the meter lights
to fall automatically. up green from top to bottom
THRESHOLD
3 MULTIBAND COMPRESSOR The threshold parameter
A special type of compressor which sets the input level at
divides the signal up into two or more which the compressor
separate frequency bands. Each band starts to reduce the
is then processed by a separate MAKEUP GAIN
compressor, giving a greater degree output level. Setting the
threshold level low By default, compressors
of control. Multi-band compressors reduce the overall
are most commonly used during the means that the
mastering process. compressor is signal level (depending
squashing the signal on the input level), so a
3 HARD LIMITING most of the time gain control is usually
A specific configuration of provided to boost the
parameters that causes the signal back up again by
compressor to only operate on (ie, a fixed amount
reduce the level of) really excessive INPUT AND
peaks in the signal. Hard limiting can
be a great way to raise the overall OUTPUT METERS
level of a track without sacrificing mix These display the signal
dynamics and clarity. levels at the input and
output of the
compressor, enabling
the user to visualise the
changes made to the
dynamics of the
processed signal

ATTACK AND RELEASE

These controls specify how quickly the compressor
responds to a change in input signal level, in milliseconds.
The values of these to parameters can a have a huge
impact on the way the compressed signal sounds

028 | COMPUTER MUSIC APRIL 2005 TUTORIAL

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 Compression for beginners make music
Q&A focus
now

WHAT IS IT? WHAT'S IT USED FOR? HOW DO I USE IT?

So what does a compressor do exactly? Put Compressors are versatile beasts which can be A compressor is normally loaded as an insert
simply, it monitors the level of the signal at its used in a number of different ways. One common effect, in contrast to reverbs and delays which
input and adjusts it on output. If that sounds application involves using a compressor to even are typically loaded as send effects and shared
confusing, imagine adjusting the volume of your out the volume of a recorded part in order to between multiple channels.
stereo in order to hear a quiet piece of music make it sit consistently in a mix, removing the As with most effects, experimentation is the
properly, but then turning it down at the start of need for frantic fader adjustments all over the best way to find the right sound for a given part,
the next loud track. In doing this place. For example, applying compression to a but when it comes to compression, a few rules of
you are, in effect, applying compression bass or vocal part will help to ensure that it thumb should be followed. For example, when
manually, by listening out for doesn’t wander in and out of the mix, providing a processing bass-heavy sounds (kick drums, low
signal peaks and more polished and professional sound. toms and, of course, bass parts), it’s important to
adjusting the A compressor can also be used during the set the attack and decay times carefully,
volume for a recording process to manage the dynamic range otherwise the compressor can end up following
comfortable of a part, allowing it to be captured without individual waveform cycles rather than the overall
listening clipping or excessive noise. Compressors are also level. The secret here is to set both parameters
experience. used to treat individual drum sounds, adding to values in excess of one waveform period (one
To look at it impact and enhancing body. Careful attention is divided by the frequency value in kHz will give the
from a more required when setting up attack and release required time value in milliseconds).
technical point of settings in this situation. Compressors can be used in several distinct
view, a Finally, compressors are often used as part of modes, depending on the settings chosen and
compressor the mastering process, to even out excessive the situations they’re being used in. For example,
1On the radio: compression saves
reduces the peaks and allow the overall level of a track to be a compressor can be used to simply smooth off
us from having to adjust the volume dynamic range of raised without any clipping distortion. Judicious excessive peaks when configured as a hard
the signal fed use of a compressor can also add punch and limiter, so it’s only actually compressing the
into it. In other words, it reduces the difference in weight to a track, but sound a fraction of the time.
level between the loudest and quietest parts. it's easy to over-do it Alternatively, it may be configured
To get an idea of what a heavily compressed and end up with a to compress gently all the
audio signal sounds like, just flick on the radio. cramped sound. time, in which
Most radio stations apply a lot of compression to case the
their material in order to save listeners in a noisy 3Hardware compressors overall effect
environment from having to constantly reach for are no longer a necessity, is far more
the volume control. but this one’s a beauty noticeable.

FIVE TO TRY...
Vintage Warmer Endorphin MDA Dynamics Waves C1 Compressor SV-315 Compressor

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STEP BY STEP Applying compression in FL Studio

1 2 3
Start FL Studio and add an instance of Fruity Kick to the Route the Fruity Kick generator to the first mixer Within the compressor window, turn off the Limiter and
step sequencer (Channels»Add One…»Fruity Kick). channel, using the green digit at the top right of the set the other controls as follows: Threshold: -26.2dB,
Click the black drop-down box and select the Classic Channel settings window. Then add an instance of the Ratio: 6:1, Knee: Hard, Gain: 2.3dB, Attack: 138ms,
preset, as shown. Lower the A. Dec parameter slightly. >> Sonitus:fx Compressor to the first mixer channel. >> Decay: 30ms.

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