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Compressiion Ratio
- Thread starter eoj
- Start date
Joe -
Here's the answer you're going to hate - it really depends on what you're looking for and experimentation is really key. You'd be surprised how often overheads don't need any compression at all.
It also really depends on your overhead tracks - are they mostly drums? are they mostly cymbals? Are you trying to control the snare transient? Do you want to bring the toms out more?
Logical questions lead you to logical answers.
Possibly more important than the ratio in overhead compression is the attack/release (or time constant, or whatever you want to call it). Faster attack/release times will accentuate the room sound more. Program dependent a/r times will be a little more subtle.
I'll hit overheads with about 8 db of compression with fast a/r settings if I really want to mess the drums up a little.
If all you want is a little more control over them you can hit them with about 1-3 db of compression, or do some simple volume rides.
Also remember that the solo button is your worst enemy when mixing....
Matt
Here's the answer you're going to hate - it really depends on what you're looking for and experimentation is really key. You'd be surprised how often overheads don't need any compression at all.
It also really depends on your overhead tracks - are they mostly drums? are they mostly cymbals? Are you trying to control the snare transient? Do you want to bring the toms out more?
Logical questions lead you to logical answers.
Possibly more important than the ratio in overhead compression is the attack/release (or time constant, or whatever you want to call it). Faster attack/release times will accentuate the room sound more. Program dependent a/r times will be a little more subtle.
I'll hit overheads with about 8 db of compression with fast a/r settings if I really want to mess the drums up a little.
If all you want is a little more control over them you can hit them with about 1-3 db of compression, or do some simple volume rides.
Also remember that the solo button is your worst enemy when mixing....
Matt
imdrecordings
Venerated Member
Hey Joe,eoj said:
Matt has given you some great things to think about.
Just approach it logically.
Being you know what a compressor does, right?kidding
Why do you need compression? What don't you like about the original sound of the Overheads? Is it EQ that it needs, maybe?
The 1176LN isn't exactly a "tame" compressor. Especially if you have a lot of cymbals or used mics that accentuate the 5-16khz region. Most cheap ass China mics tend to boost the shit out of those freqs, by like 6-10db! Even a KM184 by Neumann or AKG 414s can too.
I like using really flat, almost dull sounding condensers, for room or overheads. It gives you so much more room to play with later.
But if I had to use then 1176LN the I'd play around with a mid-slow attack (allowing the initial hit to come through ) allowing the compressor to suck some of the cymbals back a bit. Giving you that tswipt-tswipt effect. You can then adjust the release to get the suck sound you like or get rid off it. Of course using 4 or 8 ratio(recommended), mid-slow attack (5-7), ratio (depends on the tempo, but maybe 5-7 too) sucking back about 1-3db. This will probably give you what you are going for. But it's really hard to say without hearing the material. Watch the 8-12khz range when using the 1176 on over heads. It can exaggerate higher frequencies. I think it's the "distortion" it's designed to model.
Judging from what you're asking for, I really think you'd love the 33609 or the SE version quite a bit.
I honestly hardly, if ever use a compressor on the overheads (directly). I'll bus my overheads do a stereo group and eq them in Mono, then spread them out appropriately. EQ usually seems to be enough. Of course I'm the kind of person that loves to get the sound of the kit, through the Overheads. I'm not into miking the cymbals and doing the old Filter at 160-360hz thingy on the overheads.
Hope that helps.
Thanks
Thanks you guys for your feed back. it is really helpful. I don't always use compression on the over heads. I mainly use it when I need to tame them a little. Also some times it brings out some cool frequency's. I to like to use the over heads for the whole kit. if you have a good room (which i think i do) the drums can sound huge through the over heads alone.
i guess i was asking this question for an over all compression thing. I am self taught....literally. I know what a compressor does but mostly i just tweak it until i get what I want. Over all though can any one just give a quick answer on where the meter should be bouncing at with a fast attack slow release? or is that to broad of a question?
Joe
Thanks you guys for your feed back. it is really helpful. I don't always use compression on the over heads. I mainly use it when I need to tame them a little. Also some times it brings out some cool frequency's. I to like to use the over heads for the whole kit. if you have a good room (which i think i do) the drums can sound huge through the over heads alone.
i guess i was asking this question for an over all compression thing. I am self taught....literally. I know what a compressor does but mostly i just tweak it until i get what I want. Over all though can any one just give a quick answer on where the meter should be bouncing at with a fast attack slow release? or is that to broad of a question?
Joe
Wayyyyy too broad there, Joe. Especially without any of us hearing the tracks.
There really is no 'should' when it comes to these types of things, it's all a matter of taste.
Man, I used to get so mad when people gave me those answers back in the day.
Shit, what would \"back in the day\" mean for me? Like 6 years ago?
Matt
There really is no 'should' when it comes to these types of things, it's all a matter of taste.
Man, I used to get so mad when people gave me those answers back in the day.
Shit, what would \"back in the day\" mean for me? Like 6 years ago?
Matt
TheEastGateMS
Active Member
Re: Thanks
To all those who are looking for easy answers for mixing... There is no magic answer except practice. If you can't get the results you like, then you either fudged up the tracking, need to try more settings/other processors, or should turn the mix over to someone who has mixed for much longer than yourself.
Just because you want to do something, it doesn't mean that you should.
... maybe people should start doing their own medical procedures as well?? Why not, if they can buy a scalpel, they obviously know how to use it...
You have enough info, now you need experience and patience.eoj said:
To all those who are looking for easy answers for mixing... There is no magic answer except practice. If you can't get the results you like, then you either fudged up the tracking, need to try more settings/other processors, or should turn the mix over to someone who has mixed for much longer than yourself.
Just because you want to do something, it doesn't mean that you should.
... maybe people should start doing their own medical procedures as well?? Why not, if they can buy a scalpel, they obviously know how to use it...
TheEastGateMS
Active Member
Umm... I thought I made it up... but I wouldn't put it past myself to be restating something I read some time ago. :lol:
imdrecordings
Venerated Member
Ask any question you wish, Joe...
No worries.
My roommate has been recording great stuff for over 8 years now and just finally figured out what a compressor is really doing. Kind of, he still doesn't fully get it. He's always just moved knobs until it sounds right and always gets great results. He's not bothered by \"Know how\". Of course that brings it's own set of limitations. Which I don't like, but there's nothing wrong with that. That's who he is and who he loves. If he focuses on the technical side of things, he gets depressed and discouraged. We aren't Rocket Scientist or Doctors after all. WE aren't saving lives here. We have a skill and that's about it.
I give all kinds of advice to my friends with Home Studios, just getting started.
I get real jealous when I hear those same people getting great or better results than me, but then soon come to my senses and ask how they crafted something so wonderful. Was it chance? Discovery? Hard work? know how?Room? Mic? Ratio? What?
And 9 times out of 10 it came from some piece of advice, that they took a little farther and discovered a little piece of brilliance which kept them excited about recording.
No worries.
My roommate has been recording great stuff for over 8 years now and just finally figured out what a compressor is really doing. Kind of, he still doesn't fully get it. He's always just moved knobs until it sounds right and always gets great results. He's not bothered by \"Know how\". Of course that brings it's own set of limitations. Which I don't like, but there's nothing wrong with that. That's who he is and who he loves. If he focuses on the technical side of things, he gets depressed and discouraged. We aren't Rocket Scientist or Doctors after all. WE aren't saving lives here. We have a skill and that's about it.
I give all kinds of advice to my friends with Home Studios, just getting started.
I get real jealous when I hear those same people getting great or better results than me, but then soon come to my senses and ask how they crafted something so wonderful. Was it chance? Discovery? Hard work? know how?Room? Mic? Ratio? What?
And 9 times out of 10 it came from some piece of advice, that they took a little farther and discovered a little piece of brilliance which kept them excited about recording.