Using compression effectively

Here are some tips on the best way to use compression in the home studio. These are some general ideas, perfect for use as a starting point, ready to fine tune for your particular requirements.

Kick drum

Why compress?: Compression on kick drum can often reinforce the beat of a mix, it can level out an inconsistent player and underpin the entire drum mix.

Settings: Generally a slow attack and fast release time are most useable on kick drum. Try setting the ration to about 5:1 and adjust the threshold until the gain reduction is about 4-6 dB.
For a more drastic leveling of the sound try using a high quality limiter, preferably with a 'look ahead' feature. Dial in a high gain reduction setting, this will result in a very powerful kick drum that really drives a mix along.

Snare drum

Why compress?: Compressing a snare drum can help to brighten the sound of the drum, it can also allow the drum too take up more space in the mix. A common problem whilst mixing is that the snare sounds too short and lifeless. Good compression can make the snare sound bigger and fuller.

Settings: Again, try a slow attack, with a fast release. The exact model of compressor is crucial on snare drums. Valve compressors tend to sound particularly good, as they fatten the sound, and compress quite subtly. Old DBX compressors are also great, but are often very expensive.

Bass Guitar

Why compress? : Compression on bass guitar is more or less standard. It smoothes out the sound of the bass, making it much easier to sit in the mix, without getting in the way of everything else.

Settings: Where possible try using the 'automatic' attack and release setting. This will allow a much smoother sound. Try setting the ratio to 3-4:1 and adjust the threshold to achieve the desired gain reduction. Take extra care to listen out for the sound starting to distort, as this is the first sign that there is possibly too much compression. Unless that is the sound that you are after.

Vocals

Why compress?: A compressed vocal will sit much better in the mix, it will allow the vocal to be loud, but not overpowering and allow a smooth, yet clear vocal sound.

Settings: Vocals are arguably THE most important instrument in modern music, as a result it is very important that they are recorded, and mixed well.
The sound of different model's of compressor can vary greatly on vocals. When buying a compressor, think about the vocals being the main use for the compressor, as they probably will be!.

Try using a good quality valve compressor for best results, using a fast attack and a fast release compress as much as the style of music will allow.
The majority of pop, rock, funk, dance and urban music have very over compressed vocals, with a resultant dynamic range of only about 4-6 dB!

Softer styles require more subtle settings, but with a good quality compressor, even small amounts of compression will enhance the sound dramatically.