How The Pros Use Compression on Instruments and Mixes

Secrets of How the Pros use Compression. In this video I discuss how compression works: Ratio, Threshold, Attack, Release, Hard-Knee, Soft Knee, Gain Reduction. What are and How to use the Plugin and Hardware Versions of:

Optical Compressors - like the LA2A, LA3A, Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.Tube Tech CL1B

FET Compressors - Universal Audio 1176, Purple Audio MC77, Universal Audio 1176 Blue Stripe, Universal Audio 1178

VCA Compressors - SSL G Series, Alan Smart C2, Neve 33609

Variable MU - Fairchild 660 and 670, Manley Variable MU. Altec 436C,

How To Compress and What to Use - Kick Drum, Snare, Toms, Overheads, Room Mic and Drum Buss Compression.

I also provide examples of using compression plugins in individual Instruments and the Mix Buss.

The song I use at the end is called "Live This Lie" that I wrote with my friend and Australian DJ TyDi

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Follow On Twitter - @rickbeato

[RickBeato]

Or you can become a member of the Beato Club. My Beato Club is exactly like Patreon.

[cjparrott]

defn 0:18
ratios 1:00
attack 4:06
release 7:40
mix bus 9:14
types of 11:19
drum plugins 20:53
bass plugins 23:32
guitars plugins 24:00
piano plugins 25:07
vocal plugins 26:01
drum buss 26:41




...this is for me

[iane.millais]

Hi Rick, We studied together at Berklee. I graduated 1984. You continue to shine and bring deep knowledge to us all. Thanks for the great lesson.

[dogho]

This video will teach you in 30 minutes what took you 30 years to hardly figure out and all without confusion. Yous just saved yourself a grip of money as well. Beato is the 6 blade knife and a highly accomplished musician/guitarist as well. He is officially uncle Rick.

[therealliveguy]

The best, most comprehensive explanation of compression on youtube. PERIOD.

[benja]

Notes to self:

Dynamic range / loudness is a function of music that needs to be addressed at the mixing stage.



Gaining perspective on the loudness of your song:

A) use metering
check the LUFS, rms, perceived loudness

B) find a professionally mixed reference track and a b your mix with it on different systems


If your tracks are not loud enough, you obviously need to get them louder.

How do you make loud mixes?
First understand the relationship between dynamic range and loudness.

What is dynamic range ?
Dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of your track.

Digital Audio goes from - infinity to 0 (loudest).
When you cross 0 you get distortion.

By limiting your audio to -0.1 you can then just jack up the volume and get max loudness without distorting right ?

Wrong.

When you start trying to make it louder you will start to lose parts of your Audio. The transients will go first, so your drums ah start sound Lakka doo doo.


So how do you gain loudness without losing parts of your Audio or distorting?

You could :
- Lower the volume of your transients
- lower the bass
- compact the sound by reducing the dynamic range and then raising the volume

That’s where compression comes in.
It’s a tool you can use as a function Of compacting Audio aka reducing dynamic range.

But how does reducing dynamic range help make a track louder? How does compacting Audio and then doing gain compensation help?

It helps because you get more perceived loudness while taking up less volume, so now you are further away from the ceiling but it sounds just as loud. Now when you come to limit you can raise it even louder.

It’s like being space efficient.

- Notes to self to be continued

[hockeytalk]

I know this is an old video but man I feel like I just took a whole college course for free! Thank you Rick! This filled in so many holes in my knowledge of compression that I I actually feel really confident and excited to start experimenting with different compressors in different situations now

[masonvonritchie]

I had my DAW open on one screen and had this video playing on another screen. In the course of this 30-minute video, I was able to make a mix sound so much better using the information in this video. This is the definitive guide to compression and it helped me make sense of it in a way that nobody else has been able to. Rick, you are a national treasure and you must be protected at all costs.

[jeredalmeida]

This is the only cohesive explanation of compression I've ever heard. Thanks, Rick!

[havick]

I just learned I have no idea what Im doing!

[qarthmusic]

Keep the production related videos coming Rick!! Amazing job!

[thelastcell]

So many people I tried to learn from treated mixing and mastering like some elite practice and not like science where you just have to start with fundamentals and then learn step by step - The way Rick gives so many people insight is remarkable - I love what you are doing for the whole music community Rick ! Thank you so much

[lightfireradioproductions]

So helpful - you're a great teacher. I'm a long-time musician getting into recording and you anticipate all my questions as they pop up. Really good pace and clarity - thank you!

[russellthegoat]

This is the first thing that’s ever helped me understand compression. Thanks Rick. Will be watching any further production tips you post.

[agork]

That was one insane amount of information. Could have been stretched out on a whole semester. Very grateful for this RB 🙏🏻 ❤️

[spareparts]

Bravo to you Rick for sharing information with others in a wonderful enlightening way. You timelessly prove that you have forgotten more then many will ever know yet you are so humble in your delivery. A true mentor i salute you!

[mr.sharkymr]

This has been the best explanation of compression I have seen on here. Very straightforward and simple to follow. Also, your examples using different compressors with the same audio track is very well done. The inclusion of portions of the uncompressed track demonstrates very clearly what compressors do without adding unnecessary explanation which would only serve to distract the viewer. Thank you very much for making and posting this.

[lorenzowynberg]

Thanks so much, this is the best compression video I've been able to watch yet. Amazing! Keep up the great content and thanks again!

[GoodVibeTribe]

This is the best overview I have ever seen on compression! The real world examples from classic songs is fantastic. The graphics thrown in to make the point more clear is fantastic. The discussion on current plug in offerings is fantastic. Rick thank you so much man! You have probably heard this before but you have a gift of communication as you break down complicated subjects. I am so happy (and lucky!) to know that you share openly. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[Just_Jorilla]

Loved how the Glue did just that, tightened everything up. Also, the Neve, and how it pushed everything through, giving it more Punch.

Great tutorial By the way. Thank You!!!