How to make things still sound BIG when using compression?

Hello MPC users, I have a dilemma. I always use compression on my master track when creating a beat, but I always notice it completely kills my drums. It makes the kicks go from punchy, to practically non-existant, and makes the snares go from a nice hard SNAP, to a pathetic sound. How do I fix this?!

turn off the compressor... if you have a limiter with the 0db ceiling and it is trying to go above that then your drums are too loud.

So limiter instead of compressor?

MGStudios wrote:So limiter instead of compressor?

well the limiter might have a ceiling that will stop it from going above 0 db right... and it probably has a roll off so it doesn't just cut it off but rather it will roll off the sound.

not everything needs a compressor. compressors are in theory supposed to raise low volumes and lower high volumes.. picture it like it's sandwiching the sound sort of.

Learn to work that EQ.

+1 on the EQ. Also try layering, filters and re-sampling. What compressor are you using? And what setting are you using?

for snares use the slowest attack setting and bring down the release.

I try most of these, except the compressor completely kills it all!

From my experiences, a little goes a long way. I try not to "over compress" stuff because the whole idea is to take moderate amounts of compression or limiting and add that just right amount to flavor what it is you're after.

It's like spicing up some good food, too much will spoil the taste.

Sounds like you need to stop strapping a compressor over the whole mix, unless it's multi-band.

Something like Izotope Ozone may help for your final mix as it has the basic tools for mastering in one plugin.

Compress only the individual drums stems if you really must. Never apply overall compression to the final mix as it sucks the life out of everything. I absolutely hate using compression in the final phase of a mix. Using a good ear with spot on eq-ing will get the desired results your looking for. It just takes a little 'getting to know', but as with more things worth knowing in life, there is a learning curve to effective eq ...

Coz mention Izotope plugs... I can vouch for them, as I have always preferred Izotope 3/4 to many of the more well known plugs that I have in my virtual studio ( Waves, Eventide and T-Racks ). Less is more when it comes to compression and avoid where poss.

inthemix wrote:Compress only the individual drums stems if you really must. Never apply overall compression to the final mix as it sucks the life out of everything. I absolutely hate using compression in the final phase of a mix. Using a good ear with spot on eq-ing will get the desired results your looking for. It just takes a little 'getting to know', but as with more things worth knowing in life, there is a learning curve to effective eq ...

Coz mention Izotope plugs... I can vouch for them, as I have always preferred Izotope 3/4 to many of the more well known plugs that I have in my virtual studio ( Waves, Eventide and T-Racks ). Less is more when it comes to compression and avoid where poss.

Are those plugins RTAS only?

iZotope Ozone, that is ...

Whe it comes to mastering, my appraoch has laways largely been to apply lots of Eq, to sweeten and clarify the sound, emphasising certain frwquency bands, whilst puloling others down a little. I lastly always use a limiter to to squeeze that last bit of gain out of a track without the harshness of an overall compressor, whether multiband or not.
Just don't push the limiting too hard or you'll effetively 'crush' the sounds ... and you won't want that either.

I know many still believe in applying compression as the first stage of mastering to act as the 'glue' ... but just can't argue with what my ears ultimately hears taking place with the music.

As a last stage process, I often use a little stereo imager plug in. Whe used very subtly,this can this increases the width of the track, but also reinforces the work of the limiter strangely.

Hope this helped a bit ?

' Are those plugins RTAS only?'

No.

inthemix wrote:iZotope Ozone, that is ...

Whe it comes to mastering, my appraoch has laways largely been to apply lots of Eq, to sweeten and clarify the sound, emphasising certain frwquency bands, whilst puloling others down a little. I lastly always use a limiter to to squeeze that last bit of gain out of a track without the harshness of an overall compressor, whether multiband or not.
Just don't push the limiting too hard or you'll effetively 'crush' the sounds ... and you won't want that either.

I know many still believe in applying compression as the first stage of mastering to act as the 'glue' ... but just can't argue with what my ears ultimately hears taking place with the music.

As a last stage process, I often use a little stereo imager plug in. Whe used very subtly,this can this increases the width of the track, but also reinforces the work of the limiter strangely.

Hope this helped a bit ?

Oh you don't know my friend, it did!