KVR Audio

cornix · Post by **cornix** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:37 pm

I'm looking for "typical" compressions settings for different instruments.
I know that's very strange question and that answer depends of many factors but just for the reference, does anyone have recommendation (or starting point) basic settings for: analog bass, synth, bass, drums (kicks, snares), guitar, vocal...?

I'm using Waves plug ins, but every other compressor also have attack, ratio, knee, threshold etc.

THX big time, and once again, I know that is a very weird question, but I need to have some kind of starting point for my track compression.

PS sorry for my bad English

loopdon · Post by **loopdon** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:55 pm

i'd say it's rather weird to have waves plugins and not know how to work a compressor

check this:

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/effects1/1.asp

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:00 pm

Its not a weird question. It is one that is asked regularly on forums like this, and which cannot be answered in the way you want it to be..

Starting point should be: no compression at all!!!

Only if you need to alter the dynamics of a track should you reach for a compressor (or an expander.. these can often be a better choice for programmed material).. so you need to train your ears to hear when the dynamics of a part might be a problem, and to hear when you have gone too far with dynamics processing trying to fix it!

Typical threshold setting = wherever the action is: set it so that the peaks trigger gain reduction, but quiet bits drop below the threshold and are unaffected.

Ratio: set this high enough to create the wanted gain reduction..

Make-up gain: adjust this so that (as far as possible) there is no volume difference when you bypass the compressor. This is the ONLY way to properly assess your settings, especially if you're still training your ears to hear the effects. You may need to adjust this setting again after changing other parameters.

Attack time: set this fast enough to control the peaks, but not so fast that it destroys the transients.. the actual setting for this will vary depending on the audio you are processing and the compressor you are using, so don't even bother to ask for figures: train your ears!

Release time: faster settings mean higher average volume output (assuming a conventional compressor) but may cause audible pumping.. once again, train your ears to hear the difference..

If you have a "soft knee" option, turn it on for transparent volume control, and off for more audible creative effects.

"Auto adaptive time constants" (or similar named functions) attempts to adjust the attack & release settings to suit the material.. this can sometimes be more transparent than fixed time constants, especially for full mixes or submixes.

dr. orange · Post by **dr. orange** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:13 pm

hahaha waves plugs for about 5000 USD and no clue about how to handle compression!!

I needed to laugh now, what a fuckin day, thank you for cheering me up!!

reprznt · Post by **reprznt** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:30 pm

i have a few friends who produce music (professionally) and make musical arrangements and they have no clue how to use mastering effects and things of that nature. There expertise may be in classical piano or other instrumentation. that is why engineers are often called in to assist in the mixing and mastering process. Perhaps this person works at a studio who gave him/her a budget and the person purchased Waves due to the brand name cache. But then again, if i were this person... i would scroll the presets and take note of the settings. I try not to assume that all of humanity uses warez. but of course, i am also somewhat naive.

cornix · Post by **cornix** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:13 pm

dr. orange wrote:hahaha waves plugs for about 5000 USD and no clue about how to handle compression!!
I needed to laugh now, what a fuckin day, thank you for cheering me up!!

It is a really f**** day for you. And some kind of pathetic also.
My English is bad I know that, but I think that I made myself very clear:

myself wrote:I'm using Waves plug ins...

In my mind using and having ARE NOT THE SAME.

I don't have Waves bundle (or $5000 to buy bundle). Studio in which I'm gonna finish/mastering my songs have them. And I would like to know more about compression.

I'm just singer/songwriter. If that's so funny - welcome.

@ rest of you - thx!!!!!!

Jason Brian Merrill · Post by **Jason Brian Merrill** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:23 pm

people just love to bash here, dont worry about it.

Since there is no way to confirm or disprove what you said, its annoying to see people just think on the negative immediately instead of giving the benefit of the doubt

dr. orange · Post by **dr. orange** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:48 pm

cornix wrote:Studio in which I'm gonna finish/mastering my songs have them. And I would like to know more about compression.

haha, it's still funny!

wanna master a song but no clue about compression...

dr. orange gives you some wise advice: let some mastering engineer do the job, it's cheaper than hireing a studio and he knows how to handle a compressor

cornix · Post by **cornix** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:18 pm

dr. orange wrote: dr. orange gives you some wise advice: let some mastering engineer do the job, it's cheaper than hireing a studio and he knows how to handle a compressor

Studio have his own engineer. And that guy will work on my songs. But I wanna know more about the process. Is that wrong? Or I'm missing something.
Witch part is not clear to you green? Sorry: orange?
Anyway. There is a nice little button next to your nickname: MUTE. I will use that option right now.

snooky · Post by **snooky** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:27 pm

dr. orange wrote:hahaha waves plugs for about 5000 USD and no clue about how to handle compression!!

I needed to laugh now, what a fuckin day, thank you for cheering me up!!

who pays for Waves anyways

dr. orange · Post by **dr. orange** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:28 pm

cornix wrote: But I wanna know more about the process. Is that wrong?

Then why the f*** do you ask about standart compression settings instead of how a compressor works? I don't get it... Well, I suppose you invented your studio story

yes, mute me my child

dr. orange · Post by **dr. orange** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:31 pm

snooky wrote:who pays for Waves anyways

Well, cornix child apparently doesn't pay for it

ReliXKeepeR · Post by **ReliXKeepeR** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:36 pm

cornix wrote:
dr. orange wrote:hahaha waves plugs for about 5000 USD and no clue about how to handle compression!!
I needed to laugh now, what a fuckin day, thank you for cheering me up!!
It is a really f**** day for you. And some kind of pathetic also.
My English is bad I know that, but I think that I made myself very clear:

myself wrote:I'm using Waves plug ins...
In my mind using and having ARE NOT THE SAME.

I don't have Waves bundle (or $5000 to buy bundle). Studio in which I'm gonna finish/mastering my songs have them. And I would like to know more about compression.

I'm just singer/songwriter. If that's so funny - welcome.

@ rest of you - thx!!!!!!

Do YOU know the waves license?
Isn't it something like PERSONAL USE?

I'm not sure, but it's better to ask the owner of them. It's may be a law violation.

Jason Brian Merrill · Post by **Jason Brian Merrill** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:43 pm

ReliXKeepeR wrote:
cornix wrote:
dr. orange wrote:hahaha waves plugs for about 5000 USD and no clue about how to handle compression!!
I needed to laugh now, what a fuckin day, thank you for cheering me up!!
It is a really f**** day for you. And some kind of pathetic also.
My English is bad I know that, but I think that I made myself very clear:

myself wrote:I'm using Waves plug ins...
In my mind using and having ARE NOT THE SAME.

I don't have Waves bundle (or $5000 to buy bundle). Studio in which I'm gonna finish/mastering my songs have them. And I would like to know more about compression.

I'm just singer/songwriter. If that's so funny - welcome.

@ rest of you - thx!!!!!!
Do YOU know the waves license?
Isn't it something like PERSONAL USE?

I'm not sure, but it's better to ask the owner of them. It's may be a law violation.

o my god, will you people get over it???

lets say hes telling the truth.

Isnt using waves plugins at a studio the same as using any other piece of hardware?>??

if the studio owns it, I sure as hell should be able to use it if Im renting or spending time there.

get over it!!!!!

Jason Brian Merrill · Post by **Jason Brian Merrill** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:44 pm

dr. orange wrote:
cornix wrote: But I wanna know more about the process. Is that wrong?
Then why the f*** do you ask about standart compression settings instead of how a compressor works? I don't get it... Well, I suppose you invented your studio story

yes, mute me my child

its good to start from some standard settings instead of delving into exactly how it works. This way you can HEAR the difference.

Stop arguing this, you are making no sense whatsoever.

And sounding like a jerk in the mean time.