How to make things still sound BIG when using compression?

MGStudios wrote:Usually most of my sounds cause clipping, so I just use a master track compress/limit.

have you tried turning your speakers or amp up, and lowering all of your sounds?
equally 'loud', no clipping

I like creating beats at lower volume, that way I know whether it actually sounds big as opposed to the speakers making it sound loud

i THINK you just have to take that into account, that louder means 'better'

but what i meant to say, is that you can eliminate your clipping by just turning down everything before the point where the clipping happens, and turning it up afterwards, on your speakers for example

Yeah which I am now going to do. Appreciate it.

If the Compressor kills the transients (punch, snap), turn the Attack up.

If its pumping, turn the release up.

Try understanding attack und release, which are the 2 most important knobs on an Compressor!

Dont compress the Master, if you are not a Mastering Engineer. Try doing a good mix und leave the Master Bus untouched.

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

+1

Absolutely nothing wrong in using mix buss compression. In fact, it's a common practice but you really do need to know what you are doing.

As for compressing the mix at the end of the chain, there is nothing wrong with that but it would help to study how attack and release times affect the mix and never ignore the knee setting. I have covered all these aspects in my video tutorials and have a dedicated tutorial for mix compression.

As an aside, try not to use multi band compression (MBC) on the mix as the crossovers can often smear the bands. The only time we use MBC on a mix is if the mix is so bad that it needs drastic measures to save it. Otherwise, leave it alone unless you have a good understanding of how it works and how to use it.

Ever tried reading the manual of all those fancy plugg ins? Or just a generic one about compression and eqing?

It helps.

Start here for instance.
http://www.soundonsound.com/search

Zukan wrote:As an aside, try not to use multi band compression (MBC) on the mix as the crossovers can often smear the bands. The only time we use MBC on a mix is if the mix is so bad that it needs drastic measures to save it. Otherwise, leave it alone unless you have a good understanding of how it works and how to use it.

are you talking about the phase being different before and after?

' As an aside, try not to use multi band compression (MBC) on the mix as the crossovers can often smear the bands. The only time we use MBC on a mix is if the mix is so bad that it needs drastic measures to save it. Otherwise, leave it alone unless you have a good understanding of how it works and how to use it.'


Indeed ( +1 ). I still prefer to avoid compression, however, as much as possible.

A lot of misleading info all over this thread. Compression is a great tool if you know what to do with it or even if you need it. Mix buss compression is mostly used to glue your tracks together to create a cohesive mix. It also helps to under stand how a comp works in a mix so you can use subtractive eq pre comp pull down frequencies you don't want effected. Another big one is if you plan on using a comp on your mixbuss, mix with it engaged. Eq after to help with the top and bottom end loss with a shelving eq.

I use a slow attack and a fast release to smooth transits with out killing them, shooting for around 2db of gain reduction.

basically what it comes down to, this kid doesn't want any real help. he's gunna make bad music no matter what. and 90% of the "help" on this forum is going to help him get worse. dude wants to squash all his sounds and doesn't get why his bird won't fly ask for advice and dismiss it cause you apparently know better? sounds good to me.

goldslum wrote:basically what it comes down to, this kid doesn't want any real help. he's gunna make bad music no matter what. and 90% of the "help" on this forum is going to help him get worse. dude wants to squash all his sounds and doesn't get why his bird won't fly ask for advice and dismiss it cause you apparently know better? sounds good to me.

Your not takling about me are you?

goldslum wrote:basically what it comes down to, this kid doesn't want any real help. he's gunna make bad music no matter what. and 90% of the "help" on this forum is going to help him get worse. dude wants to squash all his sounds and doesn't get why his bird won't fly ask for advice and dismiss it cause you apparently know better? sounds good to me.

Thats a real d*ckhead answer homie. This thread could be of good use to a bunch of forum members and honestly this was a good topic because a lot of newer producers/engineer have a difficult time messing with compression the first few times around. You should delete your post, cancel your account and go punch yourself in the temple for being an ass.

Aight now back to the thread

Theres a lot of good advice here (other than goldslum). Once of the things I was taught when I first started to mix was to compress slightly until you notice a change then back it off. One of the biggest mistakes everyone makes when they first start mixing is that they apply too much of everything...EQuing, Compression, Reverb (especially).Start gradual and make subtle changes until you find something you like. It was mentioned earlier that you should get familiar with the eq and thats the truth! If you have 2 low frequencies in the same range (say bass for example) you're going to lose some detail of the mix since the audio will be essentially fighting for the same space. Once you tweak one part you will notice the other kinda "jumps out" at you. As far as compression on the master, you could but I personally dont do it on the MPC. I do it on the master in Pro Tools before bouncing to disk

MGStudios wrote:Usually most of my sounds cause clipping, so I just use a master track compress/limit.

That shouldnt be the solution. Dont rely on the compressor to kill the clipping, either lower all the samples in the program window, Mix window or lower the MPC's overall volume (MODE+pad 10). I usually keep mine at -db. If its clipping before the compressor the audio still may be too loud before it gets to the master compressor.