Audio Compression
In audio mixing, compression is used to reduce the dynamic range of an audio file or mix, improving the mix’s consistency and balance. Lowering its level when it exceeds a threshold that has been set, enables us to adjust the dynamic range of the difference between a signal’s loudest and quietest parts. In contrast to popular belief, compression does not make things louder in the mixing process; rather, it makes them quieter.
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Why do we use compression? 🤔
Understanding compression’s function in mixing can help you use it effectively. Compression works by reducing the dynamic range of a track or mix to improve consistency and balance. A compressor’s features, such as threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain, can be changed to produce various effects on the sound.
When you want to move a track forward in the mix or on tracks with a lot of dynamic range, such as percussion, and vocals, compression can be applied. Additionally, you could use various compression techniques to fix typical mixing issues, such as controlling some over-pronounced frequencies.
Here is a quick tip on how to use the compressor in your mix!
When you want to apply compression, you can begin by setting the threshold level to 0 dB and the ratio to the maximum value, inf:1. The attack and release controls should be set at the quickest speed. Reduce the threshold level after that until you see a gain reduction (on a gain reduction meter). Once you have the proper punch and control over the peaking transients, you may gradually increase the Attack, then the Release, the Ratio, and the final level match with the Output Gain.
That could be a really good practice to help you hear what compression does to your audio signal, and how to find the best setting for any specific sounds.
Some typical mixing issues can be solved by using compression. It may be used, for instance, to add character to a sound, control the attack and sustain of a sound, make a sound more pronounced, stop a sound from clipping, bring out a subtlety in the performance, and more.
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How many types of compressors are there?
There are several different types of analog compressors that are widely used for mix-bus compression: Optical, Variable–Mu, Tube, VCA (voltage–controlled amplifier), and FET (field–effect transistor).
Some popular outboard compressors include the Tube-Tech Cl 1B, which is a high-end mixing compressor. Then a really famous VCA compressor that you can find in most high-end studios is the SSL Bus Compressor. Other popular outboard compressors include the Drawmer 1978, which is a stereo FET compressor, a well-known Optical LA-2A, and the Universal Audio 1167.
There is a tonne of companies that have made incredible-sounding compressor gear, but these are only a select handful that has been used for many years in top-tier recording studios.
What are the most popular compressor plugins among engineers and producers?
Right now there are so many companies out there that provides a wide rages of different, innovative, and unique plugins. From big names such as Waves Audio to solo programmers/developers like Analog Obsession. So in general there are lots of choices out there, and you just need to find the one that works for you. However, let’s take a look at some famous and popular ones which are often used by many engineers and producers.
Some of the most popular compressor plugins among engineers include:
FabFilter Pro C2
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out FabFilter Pro C2
iZotope Neutron (Multi Processor Plugin)
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out iZotope Neutron
UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
SSL Native Bus Compressor
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out SSL Native Bus Compressor
Softube Tube-Tech Compressor Collection
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out Softube Tube-Tech Compressor Collection
Softube Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out Softube Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp
UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
- Check Out UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor
Brainworx Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Available for Mac and Windows OS.
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Mistakes to avoid using compressors in mixing!
When using compressors in mixing, there are many mistakes to avoid. Setting an attack on the drums or percussion too quickly is a typical error that can diminish the punch and performance. A further mistake is unintentionally applying compression, which can lead to over-compression and a loss of dynamics. It’s crucial to recognize that not all compressors are produced equally and to pick the right compressor for the job in mind.
You can experiment with decreasing the attack time on the drums or percussion to preserve the transients and keep the sound’s punch and impact. Make sure you have a specific objective in mind when applying compression, and only use it when it’s required to smooth out a performance’s dynamics or shape a waveform’s envelope. Make sure you are familiar with the various compressor kinds and their features in order to select the one that is most suited to producing the sound you are going for.
✨ FREE compressor plugins!
Here’s a quick bonus. This is a list of several fantastic-sounding compressors that you can check out in your session by downloading them for free. I recommend you check these out before purchasing any paid compressor plugins to determine whether they meet your needs or not.
Conclusion
To sum up, compression is an effective method for audio mixing that can be used to reduce the dynamic range of an audio file or a mix, resulting in a more even and well-balanced result. Compressors and compressor plugins come in a wide variety, each with unique features and use.
It’s critical to know how to apply compression efficiently and keep clear of frequent faults like setting the attack on percussion or drums too quickly or applying compression unintentionally, or overusing compression and making the sound distorted. You may also find a tonne of excellent free compressor plugins that will enable you to get the sound you want, we have included some of them in this blog but there are way more than these plugins.
To identify the ones that are most effective for your requirements, I would suggest experimenting with several compressor types and plugins. When adding compression to your songs, always use your ears and follow what feels right. So in this case you will get how the Optical compressor would sound on a guitar for instance. Just train your ears with the method I gave you in this blog, and you will see the result in a while.
