Can Someone Explain Stereo Bus Compression?

[drewrevolution]

Ok, I want to finally make sure I understand just exactly how you run bus compression...

Is this right for hardware bus compression?

Out DA Channels 1 & 2 ---> Into a Stereo Compressor or pair of compressors ----> Out of compressors ----> Back into AD --->

And to make all that work, you just start at the beginning of the song in the program and hit play and record so that it plays back and re-records the tracks coming in after compression.

Is that right? It seems logical enough to me, but I've been thrown for a loop before.

Also, how do I run a buss compression if I'm just trying to run it through a bus compressor plugin (through Cubase)

Thanks for any help!
Drew

[heathen]

Thats it, to do this with software you have to assign each channel output to your master stereo buss and put your plugin on the stereo master channel. Try this first, then...
Alternately you could set up several busses each with thier own compressor and then patch those stereo busses to your main stereo outputs with a comp also, if you wanted to get tricky with your bussing.

[Kiwiburger]

If staying ITB (in the box) just insert a compressor plugin in your Mix channel - that's your stereo 2bus.

In Cubase you can create Groups. That allows you to route things to a common group. You could, for example, send your bass guitar and kick drum to a group and compress them together.

A 'bus' is an electrical term for a conductor that joins a bunch of wires together. In an analog mixer you literally have various buses. In a digital daw other terms tend to be used - don't let that throw you, because the general principles are the same.

[Watersound]

Originally Posted by drewrevolution

Out DA Channels 1 & 2 ---> Into a Stereo Compressor or pair of compressors ----> Out of compressors ----> Back into AD --->

That's how I do it, although I think technically buss compression would be better defined as a compressor on a stereo buss of an analog console. Then you send what ever channels you want to that buss, and blend to taste.

[5down1up]

It all depends on the mix. If you have for example a mix with " loud " vocals, chances are high that the only thing the stereo bus comp is lowering are the vocals. Theres some nice gear which glues the music together. i like easy settings on the masterbus and i like compressors for each mix element grouped to some busses.

Matter of taste and i am still learning

[drewrevolution]

ok,

that all makes sense. i've definitely been wanting to try and use some bus compression because i just got a UAD-1 card with some extra plugins so I'm thinking one of those might make everything glue a little bit together.

I'd definitely like to think about doing multiple bus compression like on a drum bus and what not, then having another bus for guitars or vocals or what not.

thanks!