There are still more things I want to cover in the area of general DIY Mastering, but I've decided it's time to start posting some specific information up here to help people get to grips with common mastering techniques. So this is the first in a new series of posts headed "Mastering Techniques", which will run alongside the DIY Mastering posts. I'm going to cover things like level-matching, EQ, stereo width adjustment and so on, but I think the subject most people struggle with is compression. Often people have been told that the answer to any number of problems is compression, but don't know what they're trying to achieve, or how to get there. This post started to get much too long, so I've decided to split it into several sections, this is Part 1...
Know What You Want
In my opinion, the most important thing when using compression is to have a clear goal. You'll see lots of explanations of compression saying things like "a compressor reduces the dynamic range of it's input", but I don't find these very intuitive, and prefer the explanation I was given as a trainee:
Compression is used to make things louder
There can be all kinds of positive side-effects of this process, like making things sound fuller, richer, more controlled or punchier, but at the end of the day, especially in mastering, it's all about loudness. NOT excessive loudness, but something musically beneficial.
Mastering engineers almost always use a limiter somewhere to boost level, but the problem with this is that mixes very quickly sound crushed or distorted using only limiting. Using some gentle compression first means the limiter doesn't have to be hit so hard, giving a more natural sound. More on limiters in a later post.
The ideas here apply equally to compressing individual instruments or voices in a mix, incidentally, but you'll need different settings, usually. First we need to recognise a harsh fact of life:
Not all compressors are created equal
The best analogue compressors cost thousands of pounds. However there are some really good software plugins these days which cost far less. For example if you're looking for emulation of a traditional analogue compressor in a mix, complete with "musical" pumping, I really like Sonic Timeworks Compressor X. Would I use it for mastering ? Probably not. However there are high-quality compressors available on a DIY budget which are suitable for mastering - the TC Electronics System 6000 is a mastering "industry standard", and many of it's algorithms are available as plugins for their Powercore system, for example. Many people also use plugins by Waves or Izotope, and discussions rage about whether it's really possible to master with something so cheap, and which is better, on the Sound On Sound mastering forums and elsewhere.
Regardless of which compressor you decide to use though, they all share similar controls and concepts, and at the end of the day it comes down to whether you're happy with the result you get. With that in mind, lets dive in:
Exploring Compressor Controls
Try this experiment - we're going to overdo everything to begin with, so you get a feeling of what the different parameters do:
- Choose an instrument to compress and solo it (We'll move on to compressing a whole mix later)
- Patch a compressor across the stereo master output channel of your system
- Start with a ratio of 2:1.
- Set attack and release times of 100ms, if possible. You may have to disable "automatic" options first.
- Gradually reduce the threshold until the meters show you 4 or 5 dB of gain reduction
One of two things will have happened. Either:
- The sound will have got quieter, because the compressor is holding back the louder peaks. In this case you need to add some make-up gain, sometimes called output gain. Adjust it until the sound is a similar volume to when you hit the bypass or disable switch
- The sound will already be at a similar level, in which case your compressor automatically boost the output (make-up) gain
Now toggle bypass on and off and listen to the difference. Depending on your material, you will hear more or less difference. If you can't pick anything out initially, increase the ratio to 4:1 or reduce the threshold until more gain reduction is happening. (If you can't hear 6dB gain reduction with a ratio of 4:1 you should probably get your mastering - and probably mixing too - done by someone else !)
If your compressor has automatic attack and release times, it will probably sound OK (but a bit squashed). Even with manual controls, it shouldn't sound too bad. Once you can clearly hear the difference between the bypassed and compressed signals, you can try and figure out what it is you're hearing.
All the controls interact to give different effects, but before we get to that lets look at each in turn. First, ratio and threshold.
Ratio
Try increasing and decreasing the ratio. Higher values (4:1 etc) cause a more exaggerated effect - the compression "hits harder". Lower values are more subtle. If your compressor doesn't have auto make-up gain, you'll need to adjust it to match the bypassed version for a clear comparison. As a rule of thumb, use a high threshold and high ratio for a hard-hitting sound, but watch out for unnatural results. Lower ratios give a softer, "warming" or "thickening" effect. I rarely use higher than a 2:1 ratio.
Threshold
The threshold control determines when the compressor starts working. Lower values will give more compression, higher values give less. A low threshold with a high ratio will give lots of hard compression and probably sound very squashed and lifeless, whereas a higher threshold and low ratio will be a much more subtle. Whatever values you decide on, there is one rule of thumb worth remembering:
If the gain reduction meter doesn't return to zero several times a bar, you're almost certainly using too much compression
- because this means that the signal is being compressed all the time, and will probably sound flattened as a result. Try a higher threshold, and then higher ratio if it's not doing enough.
Attack & Release Time
Since I specified long attack and release times, you will probably hear the sound being "snatched" away right after a new note comes in, and perhaps "pumping" back up afterwards. Sustained notes are a good way to hear this. If you increase the attack and release times you'll certainly hear these effects. (For a deliberate example of this classic "thump-suck-relax" pumping listen to "One More Time" by Daft Punk). Automatic or "intelligent" settings reduce this effect, but increase the risk of using too much compression without realising it.
Now try reducing the attack time to it's minimum value. The sound will probably duck very quickly away to begin with - perhaps too fast to hear it happen, followed by the longer release back up to full volume. The chances are it will have lost any impact it used to have, especially with a higher ratio, and sound quite unnatural. Reducing the release time decreases the "pumping" effect, but as you get too short will start to sound "crunchy" or distorted.
Now your ears are focused on what the settings are actually doing, where should you set them ?
Answers in the next post.
47 comments:
nice tips for newbies well done
Thanks
Nice tips thanks
thanks..good
Thanks, its realy
helpful.
Great blog post! I don’t understand how long it will require me to obtain through all of them!like us on our Facebook page
I am confident you've got a great enthusiast following there.
best cheap air compressor
The written piece is truly fruitful for me personally; continue posting these types of articles.
Chauncey Colaiacovo
A great tutorial you share here. It is such a unique and informative information. Best article. +1 from my side.
Airtool Direct
Thanks guys for sharing such brilliant post with all of us, surely nobody can defeat this.
Air Dryer | Air Compressor Manufacturers | Refrigerated Air Dryer | Heatless Air dryer | Micro filters
Thanks
Perfectly fitted filter elements for air compressor specially Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, SullAir, CompAir, Hitachi, Boge etc. Order your element today from www.windkraftparts.com
Perfectly fitted filter elements for air compressor specially Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, SullAir, CompAir, Hitachi, Boge etc. Order your element today from www.windkraftparts.com
Your website is very good, I liked....
compressor parts
Thanks for sharing such a useful information with us …. I like the way you describe the post with us. Many thanksthanks for share
Thanks for Posting keep it up
Air Dryer | Refrigerated Air Dryer | Heatless Air Dryer
Hi there,I enjoy reading through your article post, I wanted to write a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuationAll the best for all your blogging efforts.
Katalog Gambar Mebel Set Meja Makan Model Minimalis
Lemari Pakaian
Kursi Makan
Kursi Tamu
Kursi Tamu Jati Murah
Tempat Tidur minimalis
Mebel Murah
Sofa Minimalis
Kursi Tamu Minimalis Modern Murah
Kursi Teras Minimalis
katalog gambar mebel buffet rak tv jati model minimalis
katalog gambar mebel set meja makan model minimalis
mebel jepara
When not in use, the air compressor must be stored in a cool, dry place. The tank must be drained of all moisture. Disconnect all the pipes and hang them with the open ends down to drain any moisture that could still be present in them.
Aero Blasts
Thanks for your sharing! This useful for me.
Choosing the best portable air compressor
Read the best air compressor reviews
Thanks you vary much for your valuable post.
metering dosing pump manufacturer in india
I would like to do all the information .
chemical dosing system
Thank you so much for your post.
dosing metering pump manufacturer in india | pump manufacturer in india | chemical dosing system | water treatment equipments | chemical dosing system
I just want to say that all the information you have given here is awesome. Thank you
clean fruits and veggies
fruit and vegetable cleaner
fruits purifier
vegetable wash
vegetable washer
vegetable washer liquid
veggie wash
fruit and vegetable washer
fruit and vegetable sanitizer
Now they will be benefited when they will arrive on this blog post,
dosing pump manufacturer in india | metering pump manufacturer in india | chemical dosing system | water treatment equipments | chemical dosing system | electromagnetic & motorised dosing pumps
From portable air compressors, oil-free compressors to rotary screw compressors, Cooper Freer can provide regular and cost effective air compressor services in Leicester, Peterborough, Corby, Northampton, Nottingham, Derby, UK, Milton Keynes, Kettering, Coventry, and Lincoln.
Air compressors are essential tools to do some of the works and you cannot do without them. So buy an air compressor by understanding it's working capacity and horsepower. Visit our site for the best air compressors to do woodworking .
Established back in 1973, Cooper Freer have been supplying customers with air compressor units for more than 43 years in Leicester, Peterborough, Corby, Northampton. Our deep knowledge about the products help you find the right systems for your applications.
Air Pump is very helpful for any fish tank setup. it is easily buy form amazon …..
Thanks yo onformation... i like it.
set kamar anak
box bayi
Thank to information... i like it
set kamar anak
box bayi
I found your website perfect for my needs nice post and lots of information about the industrial roads
solid skid tires Manufacturer
nice blog..
Please Click Here this post
Please Welcome to Casino online All Games
Wish all u Good Luck
Thanks You!!!
จีคลับ
บาคาร่า
baccarat
thanks man, its really inspiring, I am producing for 3 years (its short i know) and still found many new tips in every paragraph
Thanks for sharing such a useful information with us …. I like the way you describe the post with us. Many thanks
Magnetic filter manufacturer in India
Thanks for sharing the information.
compressors in erode
Thanks for sharing information, I visited first time on this blog and found information is very useful, keep sharing such post.
cheap air purifier
Good blog..
Compress JPEG Images Online
Compress PNG
Online Image Optimizer
Online JPEG Compressor Tool
JPG Size Reducer
Photo Compressor
Convert PNG to JPG
Great blog latest cricket updates
Thank you for sharing valuable information.(Good Man)
SCR888
ACE333
LSM99 เว็บยอดนิยม ที่ตอบโจทย์คนไทยมากที่สุด
เว็บไซต์พนันออนไลน์อีกหนึ่งทางเลือกในขณะนี้ ซึ่งจะรวมทุกประเภทการเดิมพันในเว็บเดียวเลยก็ว่าได้ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นกีฬา หวย มวย และ อยู่ที่เว็บนี้เว็บเดียวก็สามารถมีให้เลือกเล่นเลือกเดิมพันได้อย่างหลากหลาย
Lsm99 เข้าใจถึงความต้องการของเหล่านักพนันชาวไทยเป็นอย่างดี จึงกลายเป็นเว็บไซต์รับพนันออนไลน์ที่ได้รับความนิยมอย่างรวดเร็วเกินความคาดหมาย ระบบการแทงเดิมพันของ Lsm99 มีความสะดวกสบายและง่ายมากต่อผู้เข้าใช้งาน เพียงแค่ล็อกอินเข้าเว็บไซต์ Lsm99 ครั้งเดียว(ยูสเซอร์เดียว)ก็สามารถเลือกเดิมพันพร้อมกันได้ทั้ง แทงพนันกีฬาออนไลน์, แทงพนันบอลสเต็ป, แทงพนันบอลชุด(Mix Parlay), แทงพนันมวย(Boxing), แทงหวยใต้ดิน(Lotto) และพนันออนไลน์ ก็มีพร้อมให้ทุกท่านได้เลือกเล่นอย่างเพลิดเพลิน
lsm99
Thanks. Useful information and very inspiring.
สล็อต สล็อตออนไลน์ เกมส์สล็อต เกมสล็อต slotxo
i read a lot of stuff and i found that the way of writing to clearifing that exactly want to say was very good so i am impressed and ilike to come again in future. Coming site webstagram to know more about instagram.
Thanks for such amazing , i have found something similarhere
Roteck compressor is leading air compressor manufacturer brand in India we are exporting to six countries.We are also providing and supplying spare parts of air compressors.
Screw Compressor
ฝากต้าบบ✨✨เว็บอื่นแตก 🧨🧨หรือ ไม่แตก เราไม่รู้
💥💥แต่เว็บนี้คูณเน้นๆ 🥳🥳เเตกยับ ฟรีสปินรัวๆ….
ต้องเกมนี้เลย
❤️เอาใจสำหรับใครที่มีทุนน้อย
👉👉👉สมัครฟรี 👈👈👈
ฝากไม่มีขั้นต่ำเริ่มต้นแค่ 1บาทเท่านั้น
👍👍คุ้มสุดๆไปเลย
คลิกลี้งนี้ไปเลยจร้า ลิ้งค์รับทรัพย์
คลิกลี้งนี้ไปเลยจร้า แจกเครดิตทุกอาทิตย์7,000
คลิกลี้งนี้ไปเลยจร้า คาสิโนจ่ายดีที่สุด
Post a Comment