CREATIVE COMPRESSION
Our video guide to signal-squashing sound design
When it comes to controlling dynamics, compression is the mixing engineer’s not-so-secret weapon. Although often overcomplicated and misunderstood, it’s a process that’s fairly easy to get to grips with: it allows you to make sounds louder in a mix by pulling down a signal’s highest peaks, so you can turn the overall compressed signal up and bring up the quieter parts.
Reducing a signal’s dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest points) has many purposes: compressing overly-dynamic sounds will help less audible sections cut through competing elements in a busy mix; signals can be shaped to accentuate front-end punch or reduce ‘spikiness’; disparate sounds can be tied together into one cohesive entity; and entire mixes can be gelled and enhanced with gentle compression. Get a quick overview of the process at bit.ly/ViceOne.
In the traditional realms of dynamic correction and enhancement, the words ‘transparency’ and ‘subtlety’ are often cited. Common practice is to apply the minimal amount of processing required, so the effect of the compressor can’t really be heard in operation. Overcompression is bad, kids! Although we’re certainly not claiming this common knowledge to be incorrect, we now work in the modern age of computer-based production, where anything goes in the search for new, exciting, forward-thinking sounds and mixes – so what about those occasions when you’re required to embrace the oft-avoided side effects of compression? Instead of gently controlling a signal’s dynamic range, a situation may require you to exert a vice-like grip and crush the living daylights out of it. A vanilla drum loop may sound far better once transformed into a pumping, breathing monster beat via forceful gain reduction. Perhaps, instead of avoiding the side effects of unnaturally-fast attack and release times, you’d like to wholeheartedly embrace ‘incorrect’ pumping and distortion to add vibe, dirt and grit.
So, over the next few pages and in ten tutorial videos, we’re going to throw the rule book firmly out of the window. Armed with the techniques we’ll explore (plus our CM Plugins, Loopmasters samples and some choice freeware), you’ll be able to use, misuse and abuse compressors for fun and fruitful creative gain. Let’s get smashin’!