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Old 11-23-2017, 04:18 PM   #1
sjs94704
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Default I need help learning not HOW to but reasons for compression?

I learn best by watching videos.

I am interested in learning the concepts and reasons that compression is used and what the benefits are?

I am just uncertain what to put in the search criteria
to narrow down what I'm looking for!
My primary use would be on vocals. I am a singer and intend to have a lead vocal as well as two additional tracks to sing portions of my song to enhance the thickness to my vocals.

I would be grateful for some help finding any YouTube videos on the subject. If you can offer me the URL to any of these videos I would appreciate it!
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Old 11-23-2017, 05:43 PM   #2
vdubreeze
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Don't have any videos with that in mind, but I can comment on the whys.

Compression can't be generalized because high and low ratios and hitting hard and barely licking it are all nearly completely different in results and general uses. Aside from helping to make the dynamic range of a track more manageable (so less mixing fader moves are needed), compression helps to "glue" things together. It can enable you to allow a vocal to stand out while still being "set back" in the track enough to not sound like someone singing along with a track. People like to compress backing vocs more (higher ratios, setting the threshold lower) so that they form a kind of uniform bed beneath the lead vocal and don't jump out. But for every person who says their favorite compressor use is XY and Z there will be another who'll say they'd never do that in a million years : ) But you can't go wrong on a lead voc with a compressor at 2:1 with the threshold set so that gain reduction doesn't go further than -3 db. And putting a second one on at a higher ratio, say 8:1 and not reducing be more than 3 db is useful too for reining in words that jump out too much. But it all depends on the style and how subtle or not one wants it.
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Old 11-24-2017, 02:08 AM   #3
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Start with trying a couple of extremes and you will soon "get" compression.
The classic 1176 (there is a gazillion 1176 clones, most of which offer the all buttons on mode) use is to push all buttons down and slam the drum bus with it. Instant in yer face, raggedy-ass drum heaven.

Using Reacomp, slap it across your main outs and just play with the controls. A subtler effect than the 1176 trick, but it soon becomes apparent what various combinations of attack, release, etc. do.
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Old 11-24-2017, 02:50 AM   #4
sjs94704
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Default Thank You!

Where I am at now is that I need to grasp the terminology of mixing. At the moment it is like a foregn languae! Yikes! It is also a bit overwhelming.

AL I am doing is I have some high quality Karaoke music and I am singing to it and putting a few sound effects on the vocals. I am not creating my own music!

Does that make a difference here?
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Old 11-24-2017, 05:03 AM   #5
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91qs3fux5HY

the vid is spoken with a slide foreign accent, i guess netherlands, but you'll get it. you may find other vids too fitting your needs.

e.g. for vocals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s3yU14xpJ8

yes, it's a waves ads vid, but ...

dunno if it's helpfull, (hopefully ) you'll get the idea.
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Old 11-24-2017, 05:35 AM   #6
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Default Thanks so bucca!

I appreciate the information! This helps a lot!
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Old 11-24-2017, 05:53 AM   #7
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... Computer Music #222 (Autumn 2015?) has a series on Modern Compression, with these videos:
  • 1. Analysing how different compressors respond
  • 2. Analysing compressor distortion
  • 3. Serial compression in use
  • 4. Adding body and weight with parallel compression
  • 5. Making specific drums 'pop' with reverse parallel compression
  • 6. Controlling mixed material with multiband compression
  • 7. Controlling mix elements with mid-side compression
  • 8. Mixing into the bus compressor
  • 9. Applying multiband compression on the master bus
  • 10. Using modelled compressors for analogue enhancement
  • 11. Working with loudness maximisers and limiters
  • 12. Mix bus sidechaining
  • 13. DIY custom compression with sidechain processing

    Advanced:
  • 3. Using a compressor's sidechain EQ or filter
  • 4. Soft knee vs. hard knee compression
  • 9. Peak vs. RMS detection in compressors
  • 10. Preventing over-compression with the range control

... And there is a Creative Compression series of videos with cm #234 (October 2016?)
  • 1. DnB splash loops with extreme compression
  • 2. Visceral master bus edits with filtering and dirty compression
  • 3. Injecting pump and personality with forceful parallel compression
  • 4. Enhancing sub bass harmonics with limiting
  • 5. Breathing and pumping edits with creative compression
  • 6. Automating compression parameters
  • 7. Magnifying vocal breaths and artefacts
  • 8. Crushing breakdown interactions
  • 9. Abusing frequency-controlled compression
  • 10. Designer reverbed claps with extreme squashing

You can get digital issues here:
https://gb.zinio.com/www/browse/back...045#/backissue
or
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comp...451402723?mt=8

then register your magazine issue with FileSilo.co.uk to download the videos, accompanying tutorial files, the cm free plug-ins and more.
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Old 11-24-2017, 06:09 AM   #8
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Default Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

It is clear that you put a lot into your answer! I am truly grateful!
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