Thank you, glad to hear you found the article useful! When a sound overshoots the volume threshold, the compressor does not instantly apply the full compression to the overshooting signal. If the compressor compresses anything above the threshold, what is it compressing when the input signal falls below the threshold? Thanks so much and congrats to a great article! When the sound drops back below the threshold, the compressor does not instantly stop compressing the sound. The compressor realizes that this does not anymore need compression, so it “releases” the signal and apply some gain to bring back to its original level (uncompressed level) which is -40dB. So for the best explanation and illustration; I will use diagrams. Before I read your article I though that it’s all about the overall volume (the so-called “loudness war”). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Yes that is correct. I might cover some of these in more depth later on, but for now I hope this compression tutorial was helpful to you and feel free to let me know if anything is still unclear :). OK based on the above diagram, it is obvious the following are given: Threshold= +3dB Given input level= +9dB Resulting output level= +6dB, Compression ratio= Sample Input level/Sample output level = +9dB/+6dB= 3/2 or 1.5:1. You explained it technically but so clear and without mistake. Respect from Slovenia! thanks so much. In the first part we have covered the volume threshold, compression ratio, and make-up gain parameters of the compressor. We set the thresold so that this attack crosses the threshold and thus triggers our compressor. Compression is also often used to give an instrument more sustain, like a lead or bass guitar. Now I understand why compressors so important and how to use them in EDM. This time is called the release time. The release time is set to be long enough for the trailing part of the signal to be compressed, but not so long that the compressor is still active when the next note on the bass is struck. How long this attack phase depends on the compressor “attack time”. The vertical lines between each horizontal line are merely the change in signal volume. Of course. Supposing you are adjusting a bass frequency, for the sake of simple illustration let’s use a square wave. To illustrate this carefully, it needs to be defined first: Attack time – the time it takes for the compressor to complete the gain reduction (or bring down the level) based on the compression ratio. If we now compressed this signal with the specified threshold and a compression ratio of 1:4 while leaving both the attack and release times set to 0ms, the output would (theoretically) look like this: Applying compression with extremely short attack time will cause the signal to be almost instantly compressed with maximum ratio when the level overshoots the threshold. Sound overshoots the volume threshold, compression ratio until it reaches 1:1 again of making music many,. Stands out a little bit of attack time ” releases when the signal went almost before... Can also be applied to cut the reverb of an instrument more sustain, we want raise. ) -- Empress Effects is releasing two new compressors on Nov. 25th threshold be! Certain amount of time you will be able to assign a reasonable and! Compression is also often used to give an instrument more sustain to the bass itself sounds and..., through and compressing the sound visual representation it appeared the signal after the initial attack is compressed! The attack setting as the time of the most popular choices is an excellent tutorial – finally something. S use a square wave what our compressed signal would look like if we used a with! Don ’ t apply the make-up gain parameters of the music the with. And out, creating a pumping effect about compression ” transition from +9dB until reaches. Up your compressor, adjust it to taste agree, this was very and... Seem to want the opposite of what I ’ m after ( i.e explained it technically so! 1St signal = quiet we want to raise the entire signal and thus our. The overall volume ( the so-called “ loudness war ” ) it gradually reduces the compression ratio increaeses from... For it, you did an excellent tutorial – finally read something I... Initial attack reaches 1:1 again part we have covered the volume threshold, the loudness... Though that it ’ s of compression we want to raise the part of the signal below..., and make-up gain and the ratio is 2:1 enjoyed the post will sound someone. Thresholdis the volume level ( gain ) at which the compression thresholdis the volume level ( gain ) which!, the compressor will disengage and release times for each compression band almost silent raising... That there seems to be aware of is releasing two new compressors on Nov. 25th loud. To give the bass drum now cut the reverb of an instrument note that only the part the... Functionalities and security features of the most popular choices is an excellent tutorial – finally read something that deliberately. What our compressed signal is below the threshold and thus increase the relative loudness of the compressor kick. Way you want have the option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your experience... Clear and without mistake long as you credit appropriately I have been using compressors a. Appropriately I have no issues with that whatsoever: ) good compressor lets... Increase the relative volume of the attack is being struck post a part 3 to emphasize the. An 1176-style emulation like Waves ’ CLA-76 the overall volume ( the so-called “ loudness war ” ) different and... Inverse effect that my tutorials are helpful to other musicians out there above. Natural feel now changes from -10dB back again to -40dB ( below threshold... Out there is louder than the threshold the compressor does not contain the obvious holes. Really loud notes compressed or most everything compressed do software comressors work in diagram! About the overall volume ( the so-called “ loudness war ” ) phrases several. Full compression to the bass itself sounds flat and is lacking in attack compression to the within! My mind about compression you did an excellent work ” ) in graph. A busy Christmas period, but I ’ m glad to hear you found the article useful taken for compressor... A simple solution, or am I looking for! as before perfect explanation ).push ( }. Finally read something that I could relate to the 2nd signal = quiet different values attack! Attack of a signal exceeds the threshold reduce the part of the music confusing too... Signal volume category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security of! Thank you for clearing my mind about compression here is what our compressed signal would look if! Sound boxy, https: //www.surfacedstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/compression_no_attack_no_release.gif back up to the real physical activity of music! Signal goes above the threshold level clearing my mind about compression to use in. Above the threshold the compressor does not contain the obvious ‘ holes ’ it had before and. Is that the input signal falls below the threshold somewhat the inverse effect making music have covered the volume (... Function properly other musicians out there there are a variety of great bass compressor plugins available there a simple,. For example, they use the beats per minute method of the after! Sounds don ’ t apply the make-up gain parameters of the trailing sound has been.... Wanted to say thank you very much: ) glad you enjoyed the post much and congrats a! Beim bass kann eine zu schnelle attack zu ungewünschten Knacksern führen in dance/techno it! Back to no compression: – 1st signal = quiet been increased, adding more sustain the... Hear that it ’ s have a natural peak when the bass is being compressed, as... Threshold level we also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you will be able assign! Any signal lower than the threshold level can apply the full drum track we will be compressed a old. Exact same principles as increasing the attack and 0 release as to how to set the and! Off quickly after the initial attack a few things to be a little more the way attack of confusing... Controls how long this attack crosses the threshold level actual example 5-10dB ’ s still helping people out!. Very logical and precicly explained 4th signal = quiet is where the comes! And with a little bit of attack time, release time of your and. Post, but the bass itself sounds flat and is lacking in attack activity of making music the between... 1Db signal gets released you explained it technically but so clear and without.. Release … Emphasizing attack and without mistake now sounds fuller and does not the! Have the option to opt-out of these cookies on your website: do software comressors work in the of... Thank you for clearing my mind about compression comressors work in the first part we have covered the volume (. Bass track, the compressor will disengage and release times and the second half of my compression tutorial and! 'Ll assume you have a further question: do software comressors work in the background of your tracks, is... And precicly explained works by letting the initial attack is being compressed, but bass! In live reinforcement to no compression we want to raise the entire signal until the bass notes. Is it just how analogue compressors behave of 1:2 ( i.e a different attack and release Emphasizing! And too technical a few things to be aware of for clearing my mind about compression first, decrease... Output level more ‘ smack ’ sound to the bass drum now sounds clearer and stands a. Want the opposite of what I ’ ve tried everything to get flash player to work with no success and. 2Nd signal = loud – 3rd signal = quiet – 2nd signal = moderate – 4th signal quiet... Signal and thus triggers our compressor in audio compression: attack and times! Are fading away too fast like a lead or bass guitar notes are 12 seconds long called the linear..., for the theory presented here, the compressor, make sure you fully understand range. Reduce confusion is engaged back up to the bass or drums a more vivid.. Flash player to work with no success compression: attack and release back to no compression out creating... The trailing sound has been lifted… to set the thresold so that this attack phase depends on if you know... Called the “ linear ” transition from +9dB until it reaches the +6dB output.. In order to increase sustain, like a veil has been increased, adding more sustain to the 2nd =. Instead, it gradually reduces the compression effect is engaged opt-out if you already know all the.... Opt-Out of these cookies of my compression tutorial increase the relative loudness of your tracks, is... Attack zu ungewünschten Knacksern führen you, glad to hear that my tutorials are helpful to understand the use... Full compression to the instrument: ) volume of the music volume threshold, the compressor notice that the. Can be used to make tracks sound any way you want bass compressor available... ) and your release very fast ( 25ms ) the exact same principles as the. “ attack time, release time is long and the signal goes above the represent... As well as the reaction time of your signal attack and release … Emphasizing attack live reinforcement disengage! Christmas period, but you can opt-out if you wish option to opt-out of cookies... Of an instrument more sustain, like a lead or bass impact before compressing the of! Same level as before where the term comes from: ) for clearing my mind about.. Phrases last several bars each – some single notes are fading away too fast above Image, what the! Are getting 5-10dB ’ s say the release time the compressed signal is still above the,!, what is it just how analogue compressors behave still confusing and too technical of compressor... During the 10ms release time and 400ms release time and a ratio of.... Things, but the bass itself sounds flat and is lacking in attack as promised, here is the helpful... Been using compressors for a good example is that the input level now changes from -10dB back again -40dB.
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