To me, the excessive use of compression and limiting diminish the drama of the Music.

[Bruce Swedien]

In the music that I am normally involved in, I have always felt that good transient content is one of the very most important components of the recorded image. I would even go so far as to say that transient response has at it’s core a direct relationship to the emotional impact of a recording. Particularly in the main genre’s of music that I record.... namely R & B and ‘Pop’ recordings.

The faithful recording and reproduction of sound source transients makes the strong rhythmic elements in R & B and ‘Pop’ recordings much more dramatic. These are the elements that are so important, such as the ‘Kick’ or bass drum, the ‘Snare’ drum, hand-claps, percussion...etc.

I think that well recorded transients give R & B and ‘Pop’ recordings a feeling of tremendous energy.

To me, the excessive use of compression and limiting diminish the drama of sound source transients in recorded music. Along that same line of thinking, I should also point out that I have never been(and probably never will be) a big fan of dynamics compression anywhere during the recording process.

To me, when R & B and ‘Pop’ recordings are over-compressed and over-limited, they lack the extremely fundamental qualities of both primitive energy and smooth high-frequencies.

Someone said to me the other day that "Bruce, I guess you're not a big fan of any records to come out in the past 25 years or so? I had to answer with, "Most of the records of the past 25 years that are over-compressed and all, sound like absolute dog-doo to me!!!" Just because a lot of folks are doing it does not make it good!!!

Brucie the Viking!!!

[Eigenwert]

Yeah it´s just annoying if a piece of music is just sufferable when it´s played on a party over a PA due to overcompression (I dont care as much on a party as I do when listening at home). It´s also a common problem with electronic dance music.

Thanks for the advice of the UA 2192. But unfortunately it broke down while I was watching a DVD - now it´s a case of warrenty.

[stevesmithfan]

Agreed. I did a session in my drum studio a few years ago. The band brought in some of their own processing gear etc. I played 4 tunes for them on my drum kit. During mixdown they hired an "Engineer". He overly compressed the snare sooo bad that my soft notes were equal in volume to the back beat. He then used an over abundence of limiting on my Overheads (goodbye dynamics!) plus the guitars vocals etc compressed too much and then the Mastering.
That was a nightmare I won't forget. But I got paid, so who cares.

[The dman]

Thank You Bruce. We need more people in the industry speaking out instead of adding to the problem and blaming everybody else. There's not much seperation anymore, I like when you can hear every instrument in it's place instead of a big thick wall of mud. Transients are our friend not enemy.

If you get a chance take a listen to the new Bruce Springstein cd. I don't get it.

[Bruce Swedien]

Originally Posted by stevesmithfan

Agreed. I did a session in my drum studio a few years ago. The band brought in some of their own processing gear etc. I played 4 tunes for them on my drum kit. During mixdown they hired an "Engineer". He overly compressed the snare sooo bad that my soft notes were equal in volume to the back beat. He then used an over abundence of limiting on my Overheads (goodbye dynamics!) plus the guitars vocals etc compressed too much and then the Mastering.
That was a nightmare I won't forget. But I got paid, so who cares.

Steve and all............

It's not just about getting paid. (Though that is obviously important...)

I am a very lucky guy, I grew up in the recording industry learning with the real heavyweights. (Quincy Jones, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie - etc....)

They ALL said to me that we MUST maintain our own standards... If you believe in something, live by it....

I believe.... The excessive use of compression and limiting diminish the drama of the Music.... There you are...

Brucie the Platinum Viking......

[bcgood]

Bruce I've been listening to Off The Wall lately. I am blown away by those recordings, they sound so nice. I'm a photographer and was wondering if I could take some photos of the black box that you used for those Acusonic recordings.


















































Just kidding!

[Bruce Swedien]

Originally Posted by bcgood

Bruce I've been listening to Off The Wall lately. I am blown away by those recordings, they sound so nice. I'm a photographer and was wondering if I could take some photos of the black box that you used for those Acusonic recordings.


















































Just kidding!

I love it!!!

Brucie the Platinum Viking!!!!

[807Recordings]

For the genre of music I do ppl have this belief they have to over comp the shit out of the music. I sometimes use a limiter or comps in the mix a little for effect but I totally agree it robs the life out of the music. As I press to Vinyl often I just said know your audience and know your time limits. I hit at 45 RPM usually around 6 mins. Love the look on the guys faces when they see how loud the record is and with out a squashed sound. I won't even get into the other artifacts of compression.


I produce techno for what its worth.

[johnmarkpainter]

Don't try to work in Nashville


jmp

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by Bruce Swedien

.... we MUST maintain our own standards...

This is a favorite theme of mine, mainly-- there ARE no "standards" outside of what each individual person decides is the right thing to do-- every knob you twist, how much you twist it, how you see the twisting working into the whole scheme... everything is just you feeling your way as you go along. There's all kind of protocols: say, use a '57 to mic a snare, but every detail about exactly where you place it, at what angle, what pre it goes through, all of that is totally up in the air for you to choose.

And so, even if an enlightened producer were to lay down the law-- "I want all transients preserved-- no exceptions!"-- how do you religiously maintain that edict? You never set an attack faster than 10 ms??? No, there's no way to institute hard and fast rules, he or she'd be better off looking the engineer in the eye and say, "We need this to really come alive...okay?"

[Saudade]

Hey Mr Swedien

You can say you hate compression with a vengence and The Lord-Alges can say they compress like there's no tomorrow. That's because you guys are who you are.

I don't think anyone starting out or just a small-timer can afford to take an extreme stance. It just doesn't really matter what's our opinion, but what the client wants.

That said, I agree with you

[Flying_Dutchman]

Originally Posted by Saudade

Hey Mr Swedien

You can say you hate compression with a vengence and The Lord-Alges can say they compress like there's no tomorrow. That's because you guys are who you are.

I don't think anyone starting out or just a small-timer can afford to take an extreme stance. It just doesn't really matter what's our opinion, but what the client wants.

That said, I agree with you

Most clients are easy to manipulate :-)
Maybe its better to do your thing and get love/hate for what you do, cause you will jump out the mass. Some guys got thier unique special sound and are loved for it.
If you choose a direction, you show character.
Just my 2 cents....