Parallel Compression Explained In 40 Seconds 💪

A tutorial on how to parallel compress drums for more weight, punch and glue.

[MikeyFPV]

I've been searching for exactly how to this exact drum compression technique for years and never could find it. Thanks

[HardwareLust]

Wow, what a simple and elegant solution.

[HALOWEENTHER]

even added some sort of "ambience" given by the compression, sounds so much fuller!

[tomahawkANDscopZ]

The whole idea of compression is you're squashing a signal, youre pushing them transients down for a reason. Sometimes a drum wont sound thick enough, and bringing the level up will just have you peaking because one specific frequency is pushing and the other frequencies of the drum are sitting low. By compressing and then pushing the output volume back up, you get the same hit from the original peaked frequency, but them other frequencies of the drum that were quiet are now louder, thickening the drum.

Basically compression does exactly what the name suggests. The parallel compression you explained is just doubling and compressing one signal. Just bring up the output of the original signal and your transients wont be quiet. Also playing with your attack and release is beyond important, especially with drums and instruments with sudden transients.

[professorpancakes]

Another thing to remember is that basically all compressors have a dry/wet control which allows you to achieve this without bussing or duplicating tracks

[tez]

The example here with two tracks blended together, would it work the same with only one track and reducing the mix of the compressor?

[josemariomonzon]

Extremely useful thanks! Love your content

[lunadacire]

wow thanks for answering the why, now I not only know how to do this but also when

[ladyheroin.v]

This is some old new york beat making shit 🔥

[spurts]

Wouldn’t it be easier to put a compressor on a return track and then just dial in how much you want?

[razzek]

Use to love doing this for my entire drum bus. Only complaint here - you should volume balance to the same output level or your “before and after” isnt going to let people hear what you have done. They will always assume the after is better because it’s louder.

[DigiAloe]

Doesn’t Ableton already have a Drum parallel function already with one of the stock glue compressor presets?

[OMGitshimitis]

I have some questions but I don't want this to come of as me thinking I know better. I'm genuinely interested as I'm trying to learn production.

Why would I use this over using a longer attack time to preserve transients?

Also if I want a less compressed signal why not just compress it less?

[TheMAUSoundsLikThis]

The track is also louder so it will sound ‘better’ to the ear. I’d like to see it gain matched to really hear the difference.

[LETTMusic]

I feel the easiest way would be to do harder compression settings in your ShaperBox then taking the Mix knob at the top and pulling that back until you get a good blend of 'dry uncompressed' and 'wet compressed' signal.

One benefit though of going the extra mile in using a cloned track or aux/send channel is if you want to do additional processing, i.e. you want the compressed signal to also have distortion or different stereo width settings.

[amirmism]

Is this not the same as just using a mix knob on a compressor?

[Drunk_Bishop]

Is it wise to crank the Send knob all the way in this particular case? I notice in the video he mixes in the return fader.

[thedancingplaguedvandva-ja]

Would it work the same.if you just used an audio effect rack with the compression on one and clean on the other?

[holdnent]

Also you can’t Do that by using one single channel and tweaking compressors dry/wet?

[ulysseschaslus]

How is this different from just turning on the dry/wet to 50%?