mixing into compressors/effects

read an interesting thing about mixing yesterday, do you:

1 mix first then put compression on the master at the end
2 set up a compressor on the master before you start or once you have a basic part down, and then mix into it
3 not compress at all

the idea with the second being that while you might need to put more compression on the master than you would usually end up adding, you'll put less on the individual tracks and have less overall.

with the first you might find you dont need to add as much at the end, but you end up putting more on each track.

as for not compressing... its a tool like any other... you could no doubt synthesize a tune with perfect dynamics using nothing but your left ball but it wouldnt be much fun. or in other words i'm not good enough to do that

[Macc]

http://www.subvertcentral.com/forum/view...hp?t=41606

missed that, or at least this part of that

Compression changes your mix. Therefore if you wish to have compression as a part of the sound of your mix, it is usually better to have the compressor set in the output BEFORE you start mixing. Otherwise putting compression on after may well destroy the mix balances you spent so long setting up. So you mix through the compressor from the start. The compression IS a part of your mix, rather than something applied after.

However, it is VERY easily overdone, and can very easily lead to a flat, uninteresting tune. Often things sound much more 'open' without master compression.

[Macc]

I was just thinking 'yeah that makes sense' before realising I wrote it

Jeebus I post way too much

[subvert]

I was just thinking 'yeah that makes sense' before realising I wrote it

Jeebus I post way too much

I was thinking 'damn I make sense' before realizing I didnt write it

[Macc]

some good advice here

how much are we talking here for the master? i guess you have to be careful and set a long release, and a high threshold with a gentle ratio?

someone on gearslutz said they set it up for about 4db of gain reduction on the master which sounds like an awful lot to me, but then thats probably for rock shite

[Macc]

Use your ears (sorry).

Personally I'd say that release times in master/mastering compression is THE area where styles/genres vary the most. I could be totally wrong there. But in my experience generally you can't get away with setting the release time into next week when doing dnb and other sub heavy stuff, as you can on slower/less sub-heavy/vocal-oriented music. Rather you look to compliment the beat with the release time (although I am not a fan of heavy rhythmic pumping, even when done right) than to smooth things out and even level as you might with a vocal rock track.

Just some ramblings. Anyone got any non dnb to master? I'm a bit bored of doing dnb atm

[subvert]

as bob said - use yer ears...

reduction wise, i typically mix through 1 to 2 db of 2buss compression.

use a decent buss compressor, or better to leave it off altogether

2buss = master?

buss compressor = ????

i always thought that meant putting a compressor on a group/send in parallel? or does it mean a compressor specifically made for the master channel?

2buss = master?

or does it mean a compressor specifically made for the master channel?

[subvert]

though many good general purpose compressors not specifically made for dedicated 2buss duties work well in that context

Just some ramblings. Anyone got any non dnb to master? I'm a bit bored of doing dnb atm

maybe.. working on a few tracks for a band atm will see what the budget is like Bass, Guitars and drums recorded in a basement with some nice mics

[Macc]

buss compressor = ????

i always thought that meant putting a compressor on a group/send in parallel? or does it mean a compressor specifically made for the master channel?

A group is, essentially, a buss (say, the drum buss, drum group, whatever). It's a kind of hangover term from all-hardware days. VERY generally speaking, buss compressors are soft knee, have more limited control - that is, say, 5 or 6 attack/release times (1 attack time for 33609 ) 3 or 4 ratios, that sort of thing. General light squishing duties, generally speaking. Of course there are exceptions/variations etc.

Contrast them with a vocal compressor like LA2A where you have virtually no control at all but it works a charm, and something like oh I dunno, the Sonalksis one with loads of variability, uses, different knees etc etc.

FWIW I hate the term 2-buss Irrartional, but there you go.

[Macc]

maybe.. working on a few tracks for a band atm will see what the budget is like Bass, Guitars and drums recorded in a basement with some nice mics

Let's talk

ahh thanks for the helps was getting groups confused with sends