[for experts] Mastering Compression Automation?

[enroe]

This is a question for the experienced and the experts:

Do you ever automate the threshold (and/or volume) during the
mastering process — for instance, by applying less compression
to the verses, but then compressing the chorus more heavily and
aggressively? Is this approach worth the effort?

Do you do this ...

a. almost always?
b. sometimes, when it fits?
c. never?

What has the experience been with this approach?

[bmanic]

Quite often, yes. I also usually do subtle automation changes to attack and release if the timing feel of a chorus or bridge is very different from the verses.

Alternatively I'll automate the pre-fx volume level in Reaper which affects the whole chain.. usually like 0.1 to 0.4dB on the chorus to push things slightly harder.

In modern production, automation is THE thing you should be doing all over the place, especially during mixing. It's also extremely common in mastering now that it is so easy to do. In mastering I usually automate at least a few EQ moves and the pre-fx volume. You should never try to force every mastering processor to "do it's best over the full length of the track". You of course start with the "best" average settings but then tweak from there with automation to optimize absolutely every part.

In the good old days we simply had two sound systems, one being the playback system and the other the capture system (usually set to whatever samplerate the end product needed). We would then send different parts through slightly different settings on the outboard gear, always optimized for each task. For instance if the chorus needed some extra push with slightly different EQ settings, you'd make a note of that and then play and record each section separately, with their own settings, then stitch it all back together in the DAW / Audio editor (usually Wavelab or Samplitude back then).

[legendCNCD]

Not a real expert, but have been doing this omg way too long..
B. is the answer.

[JustAnotherUser]

B, sometimes when it fits. On songs with a big dynamic difference between verse and chorus, the compressor can hit the chorus so much harder that it actually feels smaller or quieter than the verse.

In that case I sometimes automate the level going into the compressor so it doesn't clamp down as much. And if needed, a tiny gain automation on the final master after compression and limiting can help the chorus hit properly and feel slightly louder. I wouldn't do it by default though, only when the song asks for it.