Could you mix without using a single compressor?

[Camera]

Only eq.

I know it might sound to some, but just curious what the outcome might be.

[Musiclab]

Very uncompressed

[Camera]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

Very uncompressed

Hey man!! No pressure!!!

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

I tried... back in the 90s I really really tried. I felt that too many nuances and subtleties were lost. I've recorded a lot of opera and a fair amount of classical, didn't use compression... but as I passed off the tracks to the producer for post, I've no idea what might have been done after the fact.

[Musiclab]

Seriously why would I want to. If I didn't like the sound that would be one thing.
There's a reason I have 40 channels of analog compressors, I like em!

[philoking]

You could, but compression has been around since before multi-track recording for a solid reason. Uneven sound is distracting to the listener. Even if you mixed with absolutely no compression, it's never going to get through mastering without being heavily squeezed.

Too much compression is (arguably) a bad thing, but no compression would sound appreciably worse unless you were magically able to get everyone to perform with virtuoso consistency, your mixer was an absolute genius at automating volume and EQ as well, and you were completely ok with your stuff sounding 6 to 10db quieter than everything else they listen to.

That annoys listeners and tunes them out as quickly as sour notes.

[jackinthebox]

You can use saturation instead of compression sometimes. It has a similar effect, reducing the dynamic range but it also adds harmonics and dirt which might not suit certain kinds of music. Tape saturation or overdrive and distortion can even out levels and control the envelope of your sounds. Guitar amps and tube mics have a certain amount of built in compression and a very even player or a singer with great mic technique will also work without compression. You can also use automation to even things out. ...

Originally Posted by Camera

Only eq.

I know it might sound to some, but just curious what the outcome might be.

Everything i did in the 90's was done minus compression.
If I can find an example I'll post it.
Makes you much better at EQ.

[BluegrassDan]

It all depends on the quality of the musicians and their technique. You can take that to the bank.

[Naurashaun]

Short answer yea you can but it's so dependent like so many options available in music today, Phil Tan mixed Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" without compression.

[studio 321]

Being dissatisfied fighting against the artifacts of the LA2A and Melcor units I learned with, I recorded for 5 years without compression during the late '70's and don't regret the results.
I was working on pop, funk, folk and with musicians who were willing to control their performances to "fit" the recording.
I'm not against them but they're not absolutely necessary.

[The Real MC]

Originally Posted by Camera

Only eq.

I know it might sound to some, but just curious what the outcome might be.

[AcoosticZoo]

why would you wanna mix without compression? you might find it hard to mix without faders too.

Creating a smoother/denser sound is another tool of mixing, you shouldn't have to omit compression from your mixing arsenal.

I agree recording doesn't need compressors. But mixing music with zero compression is like mixing music without having all your tools.

Use compression according to your taste and vision for the mix.

Regards
Josef Horhay
Mixing Engineer
www.acoosticzoo.com

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by BluegrassDan

It all depends on the quality of the musicians and their technique. You can take that to the bank.

No it doesn't, it all depends on whether you want your recording to sound like a record or not, THAT you can take to the bank

[chuckduffy]

Originally Posted by Frank_Case

Some thoughts...

In general, voice needs to be compressed so that it can be brought up in the mix so that it can become the main focus of the song.

In a DAW I often region editing or volume automation to level out vocals. It's much more transparent to my ear - it just takes more time.

[Papanate]

Pretty obvious what the outcome would be doesn't it?

[fastlanestoner]

While I tend to agree that a large part of how "good" a recording is is dependent upon the quality of the tracking (the dynamics of the musicians, etc) there are applications in the record-making process where compression is needed, regardless of how well and dynamically-tracked said material is.

Compression is a tool, simple as that. If the recording needs it, use it.

And yes, everyone can absolutely mix a song with no compression. Fader riding? Different story.

[pasarireng]

Originally Posted by Camera

Only eq.

I know it might sound to some, but just curious what the outcome might be.

Very rare... But It could be.. I think I've done it on one song long time ago (song only contain guitar, vocal, harp & percussion).. The outcome was pretty natural sounding song

[BluegrassDan]

It's pretty typical to avoid compression whenever possible in bluegrass music. Compressing a banjo is considered an abomination in most camps.

And yes, it does depend on the musicians' dynamics. You can make mixes plenty loud with lots of texture without compression if the musicians do their part.