smooth compressor sound

[nickelironsteel]

dont use 1 compressor. use multiple with the meters just barely moving. it doesnt hurt to pop a L1 in front of it either...

[radiumtunez]

thanks, im guessing what you are suggesting is to avoid hearing the compressor work so hard.. ive never really grasped the aspect of different compressors in the chain. but I will experiment more.

[Retinal]

If you don't know your way around compression I doubt
setting up TWO of them instead of one is gonna help you.
The '76, while an industry standard, it doesn't have "standard" controls.
Start with a clean, basic compressor, set up one control at the time
to its extreme and tweak just that one so to understand how it affects
the material. Once you have 'em, then you will also understand different
behaviors and "colors" of different models

[thepilgrimsdream]

The 1176s are nice for some pumping which can be nice but it alone I don't think it will get what you want, an la2a after it though.....

[Retinal]

Originally Posted by thepilgrimsdream

The 1176s are nice for some pumping which can be nice but it alone I don't think it will get what you want, an la2a after it though.....

A 76 it's good for everything and it can absolutely be smooth.
Can it be a 2A? No, but it can be smooth
But is not as easy to set up

[SeriousPancakes]

It's perfectly fine (even recommended) that you use multiple compressors so that one is not working too hard. I've used even three compressors sometimes each with a lower ratio and thresh hold. It gives the audio a softer landing compared to a clogged up compressor working too hard.

PS. Try parallel compression or track layering with HPF/LPFs and stack them into a bus. That gives the transients more stability so it doesn't disappear so fast in the song.

[jwh1192]

try drawing a little automation so the really hard parts do not hit the Comp as hard ...

and multiple comp's is another way ..

cheers

john

[WunderBro Flo]

define "smooth" compression! Avoid the word "warm" when doing so! What is docking?

[jwh1192]

i think he means Ducking .. or ducking down ... just a guess ...

hence what i was saying regarding using automation .. like riding the fader into the Compressor so you do not kill it on the Hard parts and give it a little help in gain on the softer sections ....

cheers

john

[Retinal]

You could try something like Maxxvolume or MV2,
I find them extremely useful as smooth, transparent leveler
especially if used lightly before hitting a compressor