that explains both why a buss compressor is used, and how to properly set one up.------------------------------
Along with compressing the individual track of a song, many engineers place a stereo compressor across the mix buss to affect the entire mix as well. Originally this came about when artists began asking why their mixes sounded different in the studio from what they heard on the radio or when their record came from the pressing plant (it was still vinyl in those days). Indeed both the radio and record did sound different because an additional round (or two) of compression was added in both mastering and broadcast. In order to simulate what this would sound like, mixing engineers began to add a touch of compression across the mix buss. The problem was, everybody liked the sound so much that now the majority of records have at least a bit (a few dB’s) of compression added to the stereo mix despite the fact that it will probably be re-compressed again at mastering and yet again if played on the radio or television.
Why Use Buss Compression?
Generally you’ll find that most renowned mixers use the buss compressor to add a sort of “glue” to the track so the instruments fit together better, but that also means that they’ll actually use very little compression. In fact, sometimes only a dB or two of gain reduction at the most is added for the final mix. That being said, many mixers will also offer their clients (artists, band members, producers and label execs) a more compressed version to simulate what it will sound like after it’s mastered. This “client mix” is achieved by using a signal path across the mix buss that’s similar to what a mastering engineer would use, that is, a compressor that’s fed into limiter at the end of the chain to raise the level to a point similar to a mastered release (see Figure 5.1).
Because the clients get used to hearing the “client mix,” it’s so easy to let buss compression get out of hand. One of the problems with compressing too much is that it leaves the mastering engineer a lot less room to work, and in the case of a track that’s “hyper-compressed”, virtually eliminates the ability for the mastering engineer to be of much help at all (see chapter 10).
Setting The Compressor
In most modern music, compressors are used to make the sound “punchy” and in your face. The trick to getting the punch out of a compressor is to let the attacks through and play with the release to elongate the sound. Fast attack times are going to reduce the punchiness of a signal, while slow release times are going to make the compressor pump out of time with the music.
Since the timing of the attack and release is so important, here are a few steps to help set it up. Assuming you have some kind of constant meter in the song, you can use the snare drum to set up the attack and release parameters. This method will work the same for individual instruments as well.
1) Start with the slowest attack and fastest release settings on the compressor.
2) Turn the attack faster until the instrument (snare) begins to dull. Stop at that point.
3) Adjust the release time so that after the snare hit, the volume is back to 90-100% normal by the next snare beat.
4) Add the rest of the mix back in and listen. Make any slight adjustments to the attack and release times as needed.
The Idea Is To Make The Compressor “Breath” In Time With The Song.
----------------------------------
Help support this blog. Any purchases made through our Amazon links help support this website with no cost to you.
You should follow me on Twitter for daily news and updates on production and the music business.
Don't forget to check out my Music 3.0 blog for tips and tricks on navigating the music business.
10 comments:
The problem with this is that I find it hard to mix with a buss compressor on my master buss. I end up mixing *to* the compressor.
The logical solution is to bypass the buss compressor during mixing, and then put it on just before delivering a client mix (I call it faux-mastering). Keeps the client happy because it simulates what real mastering does (in making it louder, punchy, and comparable to other things on their iPod). But an unfortunately extra step when I mix.
(Had a bad experience once in which a mastering engineer was bidding for work, pleaded to master one track for free, and his one track was worse than my faux-mastering in a blind A/B test.)
So, this all makes sense, so why not just compress the master mix and bypass the mastering process? What's the difference?
David,
I almost posted a section of the book on this point exactly. It's a personal preference regarding the point of the mix where you insert the mix buss compressor, but you're correct about mixing "to" the buss compressor if inserted at the beginning of the mix.
Bob,
Mastering is more than just compression. It's also extremely difficult to master in the same environment that you mixed in and get the results that a great mastering engineer can get.
Bobby, your 4-step process for correctly setting attack and release is precisely what I've been looking for out of guru posts for some time. Excellent, and appreciated!
Nice post. I'll be back later for some great reading...
"3) Adjust the release time so that after the snare hit, the volume is back to 90-100% normal by the next snare beat."
Does this mean, that if bpm changes through the songs, release time should be also corrected (using automation, I guess) along to it?
Once you get it in the ballpark, it won't make that much of a difference if the tempo changes. The release isn't as critical as the attack in this respect.
Once you get it in the ballpark, it won't make that much of a difference if the tempo changes. The release isn't as critical as the attack in this respect.
I am new to music production and I got issues getting that 808 bass to stick out using compression... Any step by step advise will be appreciated.
George, it sounds like you're either adding too much compression or the attack time of the compressor is set too fast. The 808 is compressed already and doesn't need too much extra to work in a mix.
Post a Comment