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DAW Week 8 - Compressor

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9 views

DAW Week 8 - Compressor

Uploaded by

amyyuproductions
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DAW

COMPRESSOR

AMY YU
DYNAMIC RANGE

LIMITER COMPRESSOR

EXPANDERS GATE
WHAT DOES A COMPRESSOR DO?

SIMPLY, A COMPRESSOR IS USED TO COMPRESS A SOUND’S


DYNAMIC RANGE.
That is, to make the louder and quieter parts of the sound’s performance closer to
each other in level.

- It does this in one of two ways. In “downward compression,” The compressor


attenuates the signal when it gets too loud. This is the most common form of
compression.

- In “upward compression,” the compressor boosts signal until it reaches a certain


level. In either case, the dynamic range becomes narrower.
COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS

80% OF THE MIX COMES FROM HOW WELL YOUR TRACKS ARE
BALANCED. INVEST PLENTY OF TIME ON THIS STEP!

❏ The threshold essentially activates the compressor according to the


incoming signal. It’s set at a certain level (in dB), and the compressor will
activate when the signal is loud enough to cross this threshold level (downward
compression) or quiet enough to fall below it (upward compression).

❏ How much compression occurs is controlled by the ratio . In a standard


compressor (which is downward), a ratio of x:1 attenuates signal to a level of 1 dB
above the threshold for every x dB it crosses.
COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS

❏ The knee affects compression around the threshold. Think of it narrowing or


widening the threshold point, affecting how signal at levels around the threshold
will be compressed.

❏ The attack time (measured in ms) determines how quickly the compressor
reacts once the signal has crossed the threshold. The attack time is the amount
of time the compressor will go from zero compression to full compression
caused by the ratio and threshold.
COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS

❏ The signal will eventually drop below the threshold, meaning compression
has to stop. The release time determines how long it takes for the compressor to
go from full compression to zero compression.

❏ To compensate for this, we can use the makeup gain parameter and amplify
the output signal, which will bring those louder parts back to their previous level.
However, when we do this, the entire signal is amplified, boosting the quieter
parts as well. The signal will have a narrower dynamic range,
WHY USE A COMPRESSOR?

❏ The sound as a whole will sound “louder” and more present in the mix.
Compression will cause the sound to be less dynamic and organic, but this
added presence can help a sound stand out in the mix.

❏ Additionally, compressors can be used to add color to a sound. Each


compressor is unique, with different analog circuits and digital algorithms being
used. Some compressors have a particular “sound” that engineers like for
different types of instruments (e.g. the Teletronix LA-2A compressor for vocals).

❏ Compressors are also important for controlling the dynamics of live-recorded


instruments and vocals. Hence, compression can help make the level more
consistent.
COMPRESSING VOCAL

A typical setting might look like


PRACTICAL TIPS
✦ A fast attack to catch the stray
transient this:

✦ A quick release so that the ✦ Threshold: –8 dB


compression doesn’t color the ✦ Ratio: Between 1.5:1 and 2:1
sound of the singer
✦ Attack: <1 ms
✦ A low ratio so that when the ✦ Release: About 40 ms
compressor does go on, it ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output
smoothes the vocals without
level matches the input level. You
squashing them
don’t need to add much gain.
COMPRESSING E. GUITAR

If you do want to use a little


PRACTICAL TIPS
The slow attack is what allows the compression to bring the guitar
guitar to have a bit of punch to it. forward and give it some punch, try
these settings:
If you want less punchiness, ✦ Threshold: –1 dB
shorten the attack slightly. Be ✦ Ratio: Between 2:1 and 3:1
careful though because if you ✦ Attack: 25 ms to 30 ms
shorten it too much, you end up ✦ Release: About 200 ms
with a mushy sound. (Ahem . . . ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the
we’re not talking romance here. I output level matches the input
mean the guitar has no definition.) level. You don’t need to add
much gain.
COMPRESSING KICK DRUM COMPRESSING SNARE DRUM

For the most part, you can get by with Adding compression to the snare drum
settings that tame the boom a little and is crucial if you want a tight, punchy
allow the initial attack to get through. A sound. The following settings are
sample setting looks like this: common and versatile:

✦ Threshold: –6 dB ✦ Threshold: –4 dB
✦ Ratio: Between 4:1 and 6:1 ✦ Ratio: Between 4:1 and 6:1
✦ Attack: Between 40 ms and 50 ms ✦ Attack: Between 5 ms and 10 ms
✦ Release: Between 200 ms and 300 ms ✦ Release: Between 125 ms and 175 ms
✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level ✦ Gain: Adjust so that the output level
matches the input level. You don’t need matches the input level. You don’t
to add much gain. need to add much gain

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