Stereo buss compression * Queastion!

[zak7]

HI! I am working on a mix and using Waves SSL comp....anyway I feel the mix pumps a bit because of the vocal...I chhnged the Threshold..but even at the minimum point where compress it still pumping......and if I really leave it at the minimun does not glue the mix.....any settings...start points, comments?
First time is hard to find the correct setting...and I notice the vocal is really affecting that.....should I just compress the rest at not the vocals? means not stereo mix compression??

[swisha31]

Originally Posted by zak7

HI! I am working on a mix and using Waves SSL comp....anyway I feel the mix pumps a bit because of the vocal...I chhnged the Threshold..but even at the minimum point where compress it still pumping......and if I really leave it at the minimun does not glue the mix.....any settings...start points, comments?
First time is hard to find the correct setting...and I notice the vocal is really affecting that.....should I just compress the rest at not the vocals? means not stereo mix compression??

i'm by no means a pro because i come in for help also but i'll if i can help a little bit. is the overall mix clipping before you added the comp on the 2bus? what's the release and attack settings like? where is your threshold? i usually have my threshold at -7 to -10db and my release is at auto. also whats your ratio? i keep mine at 4:1. try those settings and make sure the mix isnt clipping altogether.

[zak7]

My Threshold is - 10 db, ratio 4 attack..i tried many ..but I like it with 2 ms. realease 400ms

The mix without the 2 bus comp is fine..no pumping or anything like that.
The vocals are nice and smooth...

but I feel pumps a bit with the 2 bus comp!

Thanks for your advice!

[Faderjockey]

Did you add it last? If so that is why it works better to mix into it.. Pushing it a little as you mix.. Adding to last to me is not always a good thing.

I either use it from the start or use nothing..

[swisha31]

Originally Posted by Faderjockey

Did you add it last? If so that is why it works better to mix into it.. Pushing it a little as you mix.. Adding to last to me is not always a good thing.

I either use it from the start or use nothing..

yeah thats what i do too. after tracking and editing i put it on the 2bus and then mix accordingly. i dont know what to tell you brother. try changing the attack to 10 or 30 and easing off on the threshold. take it back to -7db and see what you get.

[mfender]

Originally Posted by zak7

The mix without the 2 bus comp is fine..

...so don't use it?

If you feel the mix is lacking "glue" without it, an alternative might be to compress the vocal and the rest of the track separately. Are you mixing to stems? Just strap an instance of the SSL comp across each stem and get the settings correct for each to avoid the pumping. That should still glue the mix together just as effectively.

[kittonian]

I'm not sure about the Waves plug-in but on my hardware unit I use a ratio of 2, attack/release at .1, set the threshold so that it's not doing anymore than 3-5db of compression, and then adjust the makeup gain accordingly. the threshold will and should change with every song (this goes for the makeup gain as well). the ratio/attack/release stay the same for every mix I do (but that's the sound of my mixes so try different combos if you want).

[bryancook]

Originally Posted by Faderjockey

Did you add it last? If so that is why it works better to mix into it.. Pushing it a little as you mix.. Adding to last to me is not always a good thing.

I either use it from the start or use nothing..

couldn't agree more. you gotta have it there all along or else its a total surprise switcheroo wtf happened kind of scenario.

this is why i could never be a mastering engineer.

as for settings, a high ratio, or too fast or too slow for release or attack usually makes me able to hear it pump or alter the attacks. if you want it for overall size and glue as opposed to audible hype, i'd keep the ratio low and the attack medium-fast and release sort of medium-slow?. attack .3 and release 3?