How to Use Compression (10-Hour Course)

If you want to learn more about The Reverse Engineer and get personally mentored by us...

Welcome to my comprehensive 10-hour guide on mastering the art of audio compression!

In this video I'll walk you through the ins and outs of using a compressor like a pro, sharing all the techniques and secrets that professional engineers use in their day-to-day workflow. From understanding the basics to mastering advanced techniques, this video is your one-stop shop for all things compression.

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Here are the chapters:

Intro 0:00:00
What Is A Compressor? 0:01:25
Why Do We Need Compression? (The Four Goals) 0:03:52
What is Dynamic Range (The Peaks and Valleys of Sound) 0:13:40
What Does Compression Sound Like? 0:24:44
Wrapping Up (Compression Big Ideas) 0:31:45
Why Can't I Hear Compression? 0:33:40
Anatomy Of A Compressor (Overview) 0:40:59
Threshold and Ratio 0:53:54
Attack and Release 1:06:56
Makeup Gain 1:21:22
Sidechain 1:28:19
Knee, Range, Hold, and Lookahead 1:37:18
Putting It All Together 1:55:44
Wrapping Up (Anatomy of a Compressor) 2:08:33
The Main Styles of Compression 2:10:20
How to Set Up Your Compressor 2:13:40
How to Make an Instrument "Consistent" 2:19:51
How to Make an Instrument "Thick" 2:41:47
How to Make an Instrument "Punchy" 2:53:45
How to Make an Instrument "Groove" 3:05:44
How to Create "Depth" 3:21:59
How to Create "Headroom" 3:37:52
How to Turn Down "Room Sound" 3:52:04
Using The Styles to Achieve the 4 Goals of Compression 3:59:24
What Does Over-Compression Sound Like? 4:14:18
How to Compress ANY Instrument 4:35:44
Wrapping Up (Styles of Compression) 4:53:35
How Fast Are Peaks? 4:54:45
How to Use Serial Compression 5:06:43
How to Use Parallel Compression 5:23:05
How to Use Sidechain Compression 5:41:46
Over vs. Under Compression 5:53:57
How to Know if a Compressor is Helping 6:06:51
Wrap Up (Essential Tips and Tricks) 6:11:07
How to Compress an ENTIRE Mix (Overview) 6:12:33
Phase 1 - Pre-Mix 6:16:20
Phase 2 - Mix Bus 6:45:12
Phase 3 - Balance 7:02:26
Phase 4 - Glue 7:16:43
Phase 5 - Enhance 7:34:28
Phase 6 - Fix 7:51:14
Limiting Your Mix (Mastering) 8:01:57
Analog-ing Your Mix (Saturation) 8:16:03
Where Should I Place My Compressor? 8:42:10
How do I Compress the Low End? 8:51:11
Why Is Compression Making My Home Recordings Sound Worse? 9:01:25
How Do I Compress Different Genres? 9:15:38
What are the Common Analog Compressors? 9:26:10
Recap - The Peak and Valley Technique 9:38:32
Outro 10:01:37

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Credits

Fytakyte - Bitter

Lyrics and Music Written by Andrew Gosden
Drums by Matthew Cetrangelo
All other instruments & Vocals: Andrew Gosden
Recorded and Produced by Andrew Gosden (Coldroom Studio)
Original mix by Andrew Gosden (Coldroom Studio)
Original master: Chris Graham, Chris Graham Mastering

[ruterekiogora]

A testimony note to self in the future:

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, was the day I finally grasped the concept of parallel compression courtesy of this video. Despite scouring numerous paid and free tutorials for several months without success, this single video changed everything. The impact this tutorial will have on my music going forward is profound. I'm at a loss for words to express my gratitude to its creator.

[ericyoung]

Damn, this is incredible. Just an hour in, and so impressed at how much work went into this, and being released for free. Thanks fo the generosity of making this available!

[danedwards]

I can't believe that this is just here for free. It's like a degree in compression in a ten hour video. So, so good and Dylan is just an incredibly gifted teacher. Thank you.

[bingbong]

a comprehensive course exactly like this for volume faders, EQ, reverb, delay, saturation, that would be a godsend. would 100% watch all the way thru

[onseanzion]

I can't believe this is free. After 30 years of music, I have finally come to an understanding of how and when to use compression. Thanks to everyone for making this possible to the world. Sincere blessings!!

[TheSadMusician]

This wouldve been a 199 dollars class, at around 2012
Im so thankful for this man, you just impoved my music by so much

[mikesmith]

This is exactly what I needed! To be taught how to use a compressor, and not just the typical “top 5 compressor tips”

[edvardos]

I’m 8 hours in on this course and i finished the vocal mixing course. My music is already drasticly better. I’ve been producing since i was 14 yo, and watching a million YouTube tutorials, but none have been as good as these. I am 20 yo now and never been more motivated maling music. Thank you! These should not be free.

[emperorceegle]

This is it - this is what separates the men from the boys, the dedicated from the lazy. Only a true musical madman would watch a ten hour video only on compression, and it is the best video I've seen, haven't finished it yet but almost 2 hours and after making music in studio one for less than a year I wish I knew these things earlier 🙃

[sethg.]

Next video: How to not over-use compression after watching a 10 hour course on compression

[mjrising]

Undying Gratitude for releasing this to us for FREE. You guys ROCK!

[leocrian]

I have been trying to learn compression for quite some time now, but no one has ever explained it so eloquently till now. You are teaching how to approach compression with intention, which is what no one teaches. Everyone repeats what a compressor does, but no one tells what we should do. You guys are literally gods gift to every bedroom producer who comes across this masterpiece. Thank you so much!!!

[kristianTV]

Been making music over 30 years and this has finally properly unlocked the mystery of compression to me. If anyone is on the fence, it's well worth spending 10 hours on, it's such a fundamental part of making a great track.

[donseitan]

This must be the greatest educational source for fully understanding compression. Even paid courses aren't close to the quality of the pedagogical approach of this free course. Thank you so much.

[abdulmuhammad]

By making this video you've just donated a huge charity to the home engineer community. I wasn't even gonna commit but you gave away so much game I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for teaching me what I didn't know and confirming all the stuff I was doing right already!

[MarkFreedmanNY]

I'm seriously considering reaching out to Dylan to find out about his mentoring program. One of the best teachers I've watched.

[MultiRDSD]

Some experts can explain what they are experts in and some experts can't. This guy really, really can. I'm two hours in and have already learnt so much. Thanks for making the course available for free - much appreciated.

[theconcreteshamans]

You are responsible for making our music better. The contribution you are making here will reverberate throughout space and time.

[iam_mitko]

"Sausage. Thick as a sausage. It's just a Sausage. Look at it, doesn't it look like a Sausage?" 🤣🤣🤣

[mendozawav]

Finally put in my 10 hours. I feel like a compressor guru now. Haha. Shout out to the teacher who explained compression easy to understand. Kudos to him. Now I can I tweak the threshold, attack, release, and ratio knob with more intention. This course is a gem.