Mixing Into A Buss Comp?

[bassmac]

How do you decide what settings to use - before you start mixing?

fwiw... I want to mix a 152bpm rock tune "into" a C2.

Tips needed!

[Saturator]

Here's my tip

Get the compression to sound right on the chorus's first (if it's the usual chorus=heavy kinda song)

Then adjust the tracks in the rest of the mix (versus, middle 8's etc) to work with this setting. You hear lots of rock tracks where the compression sounds cool in the verse's but the sound collapses in the choruses - the bass dissapears or gets washed out, the sound gets trashy, the choruses are actually quiter then the versus etc etc

If you use a compressor with a fast grab and fast attack, then you might try mixing the drums loud so they bounce the mix. So the mix may sound wrong when you turn off the compressor, but you'll get the sound you're looking for (whatever that is).

I don't think it's wise to decide on the compressor settings before you mix. Better to use your ears/brain and tweak the compression to suit your mix.

[jpaudio]

I'd suggest setting your bus compression based on drums/bass/rythm section, before you start to compress anything individually. Finding the right comp setting can drastically change the way you would normally compress individual drums, so it's been a good experience to start that way. Then bring in the other elements of the song and tweak from there if needed. Like Saturator said, it's important to make sure the settings work in the chorus/loudest, fullest parts of the song. You don't want them collapsing from too much overall compression.

Example: I'm starting a mix by using basic level, pan, and EQ to balance and seperate everything (starting with all faders at zero... works best for me, YMMV). Then I would save that snapshot, mute or pull down everything but drums and bass, and apply bus compression. Loop a chorus, get it happening on the rythm section, add guitars, tweak if needed, add vocals, tweak if needed, etc. Then listen down and see how it works on the rest of the song. If you're happy with that, then start addressing the individual tracks that still need dynamics control or enhancement from a compressor.