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4. Compression techniques with CM-Comp 87

1

We’re going to show how compression works in a very typical mixing scenario, using one of the compressors in our top 12 (see previous pages), this time from the Plugin Suite called CM-Comp 87. Check out the video at bit.ly/CMComp87.

3

Note that the LED flashes in time with the kick and snare. That’s because they are the only part of the drum loop loud enough to exceed the -18dB Threshold you have just set, so cause it to flash when they do.

5

This is demo’d as we increase the Ratio to 4 : 1 so the Reduction value increases (red line goes down) by 8dB and the overall output value decreases as the kick and snare are reduced. Now that the compressor has reduced the levels of the loudest parts, we can raise the volume level of the whole loop back up.

2

We’re going to reduce some of the louder parts of a drum loop and we start by setting the Threshold level (the audio level above which compression starts to take place) so that it only applies to the signal when it exceeds this level. Set it to -18dB. Turn the Threshold dial or click on the value and type in ‘-18’.

4

Increase the Ratio control from 1 : 1 to 1.1 : 1. This controls the amount that the signal is reduced once it crosses the Threshold, so now you will see this in action: as the kick/snare crosses the Threshold (and the LED lights), the red Reduction line dips. This dip increases, the higher the Ratio.

6

Do this by increasing the Makeup Gain by 8dB (the same amount as the Reduction value). This means that volume-wise, the level of the louder parts sits where it was before compression, but the quieter parts are lifted. We’ve flattened the loop and lifted its volume. Typical compression, done!