sensewondah wrote:i feel like compression can suck the life out of my mix if im not careful.
compressors will do that if not used correctly.
make sure you understand all the components of compession before you make decisions on a compressor's usefulness or whether or not they are good. you can make the best compressors in the world sound like sh*t if they arent used correcctly.
depending on what you want, they are several ways to use a compressor, too. so, for instance, if you want a snappy, but full sounding snare, you would want to have a not so quick attack, medium release, between 3-6:1 ratio, with a fair amount of gain reduction and you'll get there. if those terms dont make sense, then let me know, cuz those are the basics of compression right there. use your ear, it is your only friend when mixing.
