The RIGHT way to use Compression - Detailed Mixing Tutorial

Hi I'm Michael Wynne. I'm a Scottish audio engineer and founder of In The Mix.

Understanding compression and how to hear it is an essential mixing skill.
In this video, I am going into a huge amount of detail to explain how to deeply hear and understand vocal compression so that you are no longer confused. I will show you all the important settings while compressing vocals and guitar.

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Video Notes:
1) Listen to compression when all your tracks are playing, if you can't hear the other instruments and vocals it is usually a waste of time (unless you are highly experienced...in which case...why do you watch my videos!)

2) Often you need compression to make a vocal sound natural in a mix, surprisingly - This is due to how the microphone picks up some peoples voice

3) Have an Aim! If you don't know what you are aiming for, how will you be able to guarantee a good result? When you listen to the uncompressed audio, ask yourself:
"What do I want to change?"
"Do I need more sustain on this vocal?"
"Are my vocals too punchy or transient?"

4) Compression Settings

▶Threshold
The point or level in dB where the compression will start being applied.

▶Ratio
How much compression should be applied?
2:1 = Gentle Compression
10:1 = Aggressive Compression

A ratio of 4:1 means that the signal has to go 4dB above the threshold to get 1dB out (3db of compression)
8dB over = 2dB out etc ( 6db of compression!)
This 4:1 ratio means only 25% of the signal above the threshold will pass through, so this is very noticeable.

A ratio of 2:1 means that for every 2 dB the signal goes over the threshold, the compressor will only allow 1 dB through, so this only allows 50% of the signal above the threshold to pass through, this is considered gentle.

The higher the number, the more gain reduction will be experienced when the signal passes the threshold. 20:1 and higher is usually getting into the range of limiting, where you have a virtually infinite ratio to prevent any peaks.

▶Attack
How fast should the compression start after the threshold is passed?
Fast attack time = Heavy, soft vocals
Slower attack = Punchy, transient vocals

▶Release
How fast does the compressor recover after the signal falls below the threshold?
Slow release = Mushy vocals
Fast release = Choppy vocals

▶Makeup Gain
Compression turns your audio signal down, so we apply a boost at the end to bring it back up to the original level. With this boost applied and the peaks brought down, the overall signal is louder and more full!

▶Knee
The knee of a compressor makes the threshold act more smoothly, so that compression is triggered in a smoother or more gradual manner. Experiment to see if it gives you a more natural tone.

[flipastix.]

“Instead of turning dials and hoping for the best” never have I felt more attacked 😭😭

[BarefootontheRunStreetwear]

Your voice sounds like you're about to tell me to focus on my breathing and to find my inner chi

[FranklyNorman]

I'm a full-time touring musician, and I've listened to some really top-notch live and studio engineers try to explain compression before. None of them have done as good a job as you have here. Thank you for the video.

[im_Spade_]

I used to think compression was too complicated and didn't mess with it or even use it, but the more I make music the more I realize how insanely important it is for getting the right dynamics to basically every track.

[padyferg]

As a spokesperson for turning knobs randomly and hoping for the best this video is truly a blessing

[IonVortexx]

I was self taught on making beats. So dont ever feel like you are over explaining anything. I dont have all the terminology for the softwares an components. Thank you for this and all other videos you have done

[tubeo]

For those just started out and cannot hear compression. Don’t worry, to me compression is one of the hardest thing to really feel. One of my tip is, when A/B the wave before and after compression, listen to the tail/ quiet part. I watched this videos countless times until I really hear what he’s saying.

[KH_]

If you feel hard to hear the compression, turn the ratio all the way up and turn the attack to fastest, your sound will be compressed as hell, then slowly increase the attack time to hear how much sound can pass through the compression, when your attack is ok then turn back to normal ratio (like 2:1 to 4:1).

[icq]

4:02 "There's this very aggresive guitars that compete with the vocal a lot"
Me: pictures hardcore metal guitars
**Nice chill guitars play**

[TheDoctorDovahkiin]

This is the first time I feel like I actually understood compression. Thank you

[fdemar]

Thanks so much. I've been struggling to understand compression for some time now, and have watched a lot of videos and read a lot of material from other sources. Your video made the function of all the parameters crystal clear, and the fact that you should apply compression to tracks within the mix is priceless. Thanks again!

[oneworld]

17:19 "I close my eyes". In the late 70's I'd been brought into my first band as lead guitarist. A couple rehearsals along, during a long solo, the leader quietly barks into my ear "close your f___in' After the song was done, he said "I hope you hear the WE In an interview, Carlos Santana spoke at length about the difference he experienced, having been advised by some (other) legendary guitarist. With the amount of visual information pouring in, but we're so used to it, we can't appreciate the benefit of shutting it off to facilitate the most important input our ears. Michael Wynne, I've got great appreciation for your attention to that most-important I've heard from live sound technicians the meters are the last thing they rely on.
Some years ago on a club gig, my (estranged) in-laws---the real-life Archie and Edith Bunker of TV's "All in the Family"--- had come to see my Latin-ish rock band. Closing my eyes during solos has been the default for decades, except when communicating to the band the necessary cues. My mother-in-law asked my father-in-law, who was then a top-rank DEA agent, "why does he close his eyes when he's playing???" to which he replied, "he's on :) :) :)

[Kafetti]

“Without just turning dials randomly”😅😅😅😅😅

[neptunerhythms]

The most important part of this video was the moment of eyeshutting and absolute listening. This is the key basic because no matter how much you understand the parameters and techniques of compression. If you can't train your ears to listen well, you will miss out a lot. Always let your ears guide you. Thanks In the Mix for this awesome tutorial. God bless!

[asherdaniels]

This was genuinely the only video on compression that I completely understood, thank you so much! I was actually able to hear it so much better than other videos because I knew what the listen FOR. So helpful.

[lanana]

You are an absolute hero!

This is my first time really understanding compression. Knowing what each setting does makes it both easier and way more exciting to work with. I love that you explain every detail including obvious things like dry and wet. I'm 100% new to music production so I appreciate that you don't assume that we all know!
Thank you so much! Sending you all the good vibes!!

[chrisskurgecarmona]

As a beginner, I really appreciate the detail. The most frustrating thing when learning is watching a video with someone moving too quickly and skipping details, assuming you already know it. So thank you

[importedloser]

Even thought I've been making music for years I frequently revisit basic but extremely well articulated videos like this one and I never fail to learn something new each time.

[TheOnlyRiktor]

I love how you get to the meat of the topic and you never waste time. You're very focused and well spoken. I appreciate all of the tutorials I've watched of yours and it has helped me improve a lot in a short span of time. Thank you sincerely.

[tipstimewithjoshklyn]

MAN, loved the tutorial. As a listener, you know when its a quality tutorial when you learn a really useful tip within the first 3 minutes. Thanks Michael