Bus Compression...

[TLMUSIC]

Hey. I'm trying to improve my mixing knowledge and am looking to get a bit deeper into 2 bus compression..I know some people love it and some don't feel it, but what are the guidelines when using bus compression? I've heard mention of getting compression to kind of groove with the music...again I'm new to this and am just looking for advice with the subject. For now I'm only mixing ITB, I will be getting waves SSL next week so would like to have the knowledge to utilize the bus comp . Thanks

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by TLMUSIC

what are the guidelines when using bus compression?

Unless you really know what you're doing, DON'T!

Originally Posted by TLMUSIC

...again I'm new to this and am just looking for advice with the subject.

Definitely experiment with it, but ignore all the guidelines you've heard/are gonna hear regarding settings. Mix compression is an artistic and philisophical thing, not just a technical thing...Oh, and don't call a mix with buss compression a "final" mix unless you're DAMN sure it's perfect. Ya don't wanna paint yourself into a corner.

Also, don't mix a track, and then throw a compressor on it. You'll hafta experiment with when you put the compressor on the mix. Some like it right off the bat, some like it once they've gotten the drums happening, etc etc. It's different for everyone.

Originally Posted by TLMUSIC

For now I'm only mixing ITB, I will be getting waves SSL next week so would like to have the knowledge to utilize the bus comp . Thanks

ITB buss compression is a tricky thing; you'll have a much harder time achieving the results you want ITB. I've found few plugs that work on the mix buss (the Sony Oxford is one that's pretty cool, though), and if the SSL comp is the only mix buss comp you got, you may be missing the point of mix buss compression. For me, mix buss compression is about choosing the right piece to compliment the song and make me achieve whatever vision I have for the mix (BTW - mix compression requires enough experience to really form a vision of what you're going for). If you've only got one suitable mix comp, you're gonna have a hard time fitting the compressor to the mix, as opposed to fitting the mix to the compressor.

As always, do a lotta experimentation, and good luck!thumbsup

[Methlab]

Search and you will find settings for the Waves SSL compressor.

If you don't understand how to use a compressor (it sounds like you don't), you should learn on the Waves SSL...put it on different tracks and learn it before you **** up your 2 buss.

Just search and you will find a ton of info on the Waves SSL compressor.

[sevendaysoff]

two factors make or break bus compression

attack & release

if you know what you're doing with a compressor, you should be fine, just experiment.

the main goal of bus compression is to make the comp PUMP the song *in time with the track*, so the 'pumping' isnt noticeable.

I get "mixes" in here from up-and-comers all the time with a bad bus compression, so take the advice of what others said and never print a mix until you're sure you have it right.

[Dor]

I use bus compression to glue the mix together. Once it starts pumping it starts to sound like crap to me.

D

[TLMUSIC]

Cool, thanks very much for all the help so far .. you have put me on the right path.

As far as understanding compression, i feel as though i have the basic fundamentals in check .. i.e.. i understand compression to be a dynamic processor..allowing sound to be manipulated in certain ways, such as controlling transients, smoothing sounds or fattening / thinning sounds depending on the settings used.

However, im certainly at the beginning of learning what compression is and isn't capable of, and realise that you're probably right in that i need to understand more on basic compression before i can grasp what benefits it offers on the master bus ..

Thanks for the advice so far.

Peace

[assemblyworker]

One of the biggest things that helped me come to terms with compression was the day I forgot about trying to control peak levels with it. Use compression to shape the sound using the attack and release controls.

With regards to the parallel thing, just keep playing with it, after time it will start to work in a way that's relevant to you.

I really do just mess with the controls until I like what it's doing, the groove with the attack and release is everything.


I wish I could find the source of all the 'Use a 4:1 ratio' bullshit and destroy it, it's totally worthless and gets in the way of what the process really does to the sound.

[PettyCash]

Originally Posted by Dor

I use bus compression to glue the mix together. Once it starts pumping it starts to sound like crap to me.

D

Same here.

Unless pumping works for a certain track.

When I use a bus comp I try to aim for having very little gain reduction activity as possible, and having no more than 2-3db of gain being reduced, using a very light ratio setting, like 2:1. It is also best to match the attack and release settings to the groove of the beat.

When tackling a fresh new mix, try adding in the comp after you deal with your first round of trying to set the right volume levels for each sound (without adding any processing).

If you arent getting paid for your mix work, dont be afraid to take time and experiment so you can see how it works out for you.

[TLMUSIC]

Hi, again thanks for the advice so far. Ok, so today i've been experimenting. Unfortunately all i have at the moment is the Logic 7 compreessor, which im sure is not ideal..but here is what i found..

Ratio 2:1
Attack 18 ms
Release 92 ms

This equaled around 2db of gain reduction. I found that by turning up the ratio and lowering the threshold (if i remember correctly) you hear the pumping quite obviously and then you can set the release so it pumps in time. Then raising the threshold to like -3db, and lowering the ratio, ended up making the pumping unnoticeable.

Overall it seemed to subtract slightly from the highs (though this could well be Logic's comp) .. but overall seemed to definitely make the mix a little more cohesive, and basically made it sound a little more like a mix, and pulled it all into perspective.

It wasn't a night and day difference but hopefully after more experimentation, preferably with some better compression plug ins, i'll get better with the technique..

Thanks for the advice, i feel i've learnt a good new technique..so thanks!!

[PettyCash]

Depending on the mix in question, for me it has always been a night and day difference when using the SSL Bus comp. It just makes the mix seem a lot more Cohesive. Without it, the mix still sounds good, and it does sound more open, but at the sacrifice of not having everything sound nicely glued together.

You will hear what I am talking about once you get the Waves SSL plugins and dive on in.