2 Rules of Vocal Compression

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[ransom]

Another reason to compress vocals is that a microphone doesn’t “hear” sound exactly the way our ears do. Especially if you’re singing close to a microphone, the difference between a few inches can make a significant change in how loudly the mic picks up sound that is not 1:1 with how loudly an ear would hear that same dynamic change. A singer is not only dynamic with their performance, their position in space relative to the pickup pattern of the mic is dynamic also! Think about singers who have mastered mic technique, they know a microphone doesn’t hear them the same way a person standing in the room with them does, so they compensate for that with the way they hold their mic as they’re singing so their performance sounds natural.

[eileanvm]

You have a really lovely singing voice Joe. And thankyou for these videos!

[audioglenngineer]

Hey friends, one important correction – 1176 style compressors have an attack time range of microseconds not milliseconds, so the slowest attack time on an 1176 is less than 1 ms! 10 ms is more like the average attack time of an LA2A. Carry on.

[johnaylward]

Joe, what can I say. This is one of your best mixing tips. Thanks brother.

[sdashrocktv]

Been checking your videos out and all I can say you know what you talking about thank you

[wlflightlr]

Hi Joe, I love these shorter videos! I always learn something & that translates into better mixes. Thx!!

[kanin]

Thank you Joe ... I finally got the full explanation for the use of a compressor on the vocals I needed

[Kev]

Great video as always Joe. As a side note, I just discovered your music on Spotify. Wonderful music Joe! Any of you folks out there that haven't heard his music, have a listen. This is a very talented man!

[KenGlasser]

Hi Joe. This video showed up just as I was mixing some demo tracks to be entered into a song contest. (I'm a side man in this project.) The video was very helpful. I was under time constraints and following your guidelines I believe I got the lead vocal to sit nicely in the mix where it stands out. Thanks.

[IBC]

This was so good! I'm glad I found your page and videos. I've learned so much from your videos and this one particularly because compression has been a mystery to me for a while. THANK YOU!

[michaeltablet]

Great video, great voice and a great teacher! Thank you so very much!

[LilYeshua]

Sounds like a good thing but I think that the quiet part on vocals gives it a realistic feel to it for live settings imo.

[tonyfrances]

Hello my friend, thank you for all the effort and effort you give us. I first want to thank you and say your voice is beautiful and the mix is beautiful. I want to know the drum mix. If possible, please explain, thanks.

[DeltaWhiskeyBravo]

Excellent compression and vocal tutorial Joe.

The result is much like what I imagine a leveling compressor does, you push down the transients which gives room to bring up the quiet by the makeup gain. It levels out the audio.

I do mine with several different compressors in series, taking a few dB off with each, EQ to reduce mud, de-esser.

My opinion, you can't beat 1176 into an LA-2A on vocals.

[lilian]

Beautiful and amazing voice!🩵 Compression can be a bitch.

[DJeMo]

Mild jedi stuff as i stand here in ableton with two vocal layers to sort with a dusty wash im torn about, ten hut big sir....

[asdf-hgpi]

If I improve my engilish and my listening, I will definetly watch all your videos ( also first comment)

[mikekashaev]

Thanxx, that's what I needed. But the link is not opening.

[danaelston]

Hi Joe - question for you. My wife (singer) and I record a 25 minute non-stop recording session about once a month. We do three songs per session which vary from vocally aggressive to very tender throughout those 25 minutes. I watched this video and tried to apply it but it seems there are too many variables in her singing style for a "one size fits all" compression setting. Suggestions?

[toma]

Hi Joe - Can you help me understand how Studio One could be used for live vocal performances. I would like to use a track or two for vocals with some added effects such as reverb, slight delay, compression, and even Waves Real Time tune (auto tune) but to be used for a live band performance, not for a recording. What's the way to approach this? I currently have a laptop running S1, an Audiobox USB 2 channel interface -