How to understand and use compression: In-depth tutorial

Compression is the most powerful and most misunderstood tool in the mix.
This video will help you understand compression and start to hear how it works.
What I cover:
☛ what is a compressor
☛ compressor controls: what they are + what they do (threshold, ratio, attack, release, gain/output)
☛ examples to show you how the play between the ratio, attack and release powerfully shapes a mix's sound + character

[Eldurrino]

I have been taking mixing/mastering classes via SkillShare for the past 2-3 months, and nothing I have watched has been as clear or concise as your videos. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to explain specifics and backing those up with examples.

[thespacealienssmogandgrog]

You're like the YouTube mixing community's best kept secret. That was a spectacularly clearheaded and concise explanation of compression. 👍👍👍👍👍

[jonathangossett]

half way through this video and I already understand what the hell I need to do with a compressor 1000% better than I did before hand. Absolutely subscribing

[madmuso]

Nice video. To set the attack time, especially on drums, i have a similar method that works everytime and is super easy. I will find a snare hit and set a really tight loop point so that its like the snare being played on all four downbeats at a decent pace.
Crank the threshold/input, set high ratio and fast release. Now adjust the attack while the snare hit is being looped. The human ear is very good at detecting differences in sound so adjusting the attack time while the same snare hit is being played over and over with speed makes it much easier to find the sweet spot.

[Ambolik]

4:20 Beware: Attack time is not a delay of reaction, it's the time it takes once the threshold is exceeded to plenty reduce the gain set by the ratio, so the statement "30ms attack = wait 30ms, then start turning down" is wrong, it's rather: "30ms attack = once the threshold is exceed, progressively turn down to fully reach after 30ms the maximum gain reduction related to the ratio setting". ;)

[elijaheze]

Mixing with understanding is all I ask for, and I can boldly say thank you! You are a great teacher with nothing to hide!

[RyanKelley]

Other Mix & Master Youtubers: Well this is how you always have to do it or else everyone will hate your musicsand you will die...
HCMS: This is what each of these controls do and how it changes your sound, figure out what you like and what fits your style.

Thank you for such a refreshing and educational breakdown that isn't plagued with "rules", "musts", and "alwayss".

[OGDarkestDave]

outstanding tutorial ive been using compressors for years and never truly understood them like I do now thank you

[xziggyx]

I don’t think I’ve ever had this explained to me like this. (Especially the attack) I’ve engineered my own and many others music for many years and have made quite decent songs. But this will probably throw me across that line. Thank you soooo much

[OficialDanielSolares]

Hands down, this is the best compression crash course I ever watched. Thanks!

[davejohnsonmusic]

Probably the best explained and demonstrated tutorial on compression that I've seen. Jordan is such a great teacher.

[valerijgransen]

Hervorragendes Tutorial. Ich benutze Kompressoren seit Jahren und habe sie nie so wirklich verstanden wie jetzt. Vielen Dank

[Exchange]

The best explanation about this topic so far. At least for me and I've watched many vids. Nice job.

[Annunaki_]

Best explanation of how to think about and adjust attack and release time I’ve heard.

[djw]

What a great overview, sometimes with all the tech talk and jargon, it's easy to forget what compression is actually doing and why we use it. This helped me clarify my thinking.

[leonardogarcia]

I've never commented on any youtube video IN MY LIFE!!! But I honestly have to thank you for such a valuable piece of info as if someone gave you the directions in a maze!

[BillGraper]

I remember the first time I used a compressor on a vocal. There was one line where a couple words were noticeably quieter. I was so used to hearing it like that, and I got used to it. I put a compressor on the track & gave it a 4:1 ratio. When I was done for the day, I closed the project. I didn't work on it again for about 5 days. The whole time, I still had the quiet words in my mind, as if it was still like that. I got a huge surprise when I opened the project & listened. I was still expecting the quieter words, but what I heard was a more uniform vocal. I was thinking "Wow, it actually sounds great!" I opened the FX chain & saw the compressor. I completely forgot I had that on there, so it took me by surprise when I heard it. That was when I knew about the power of a compressor.

[dani.papaya]

Thank you for this relaxed description, very understandable and aplicable

[genedaniels]

I really needed this video. I've pretty much dropped all my mix/prod video subs and sticking to HCMS channel and one other engineer that uses my same setup UA/Apollo/SSL + Luna. Think I may just have to pull the trigger and start the PPS training program.

[Ariel-xxow]

Great video. Cleared this up so well. thank you