Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 318 views

    Vocal Compression Cheatsheet

    Uploaded by

    Ayan Bhattacharjee
    This document provides guidance on setting vocal compression settings. It notes that there is no single correct setting and compression needs to be tailored to each vocal performance. It recommends focusing on ensuring all words are clearly heard and provides tips on using attack time, release time, threshold, ratio, and knee settings to emphasize or de-emphasize consonants and control dynamics in a natural sounding way tailored to the genre of music. Preset compression settings are unlikely to work for all vocals.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Vocal Compression Cheatsheet

    Uploaded by

    Ayan Bhattacharjee
    318 views7 pages
    This document provides guidance on setting vocal compression settings. It notes that there is no single correct setting and compression needs to be tailored to each vocal performance. It recommends focusing on ensuring all words are clearly heard and provides tips on using attack time, release time, threshold, ratio, and knee settings to emphasize or de-emphasize consonants and control dynamics in a natural sounding way tailored to the genre of music. Preset compression settings are unlikely to work for all vocals.

    Original Description:

    Compression explained

    Original Title

    vocal-compression-cheatsheet

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    This document provides guidance on setting vocal compression settings. It notes that there is no single correct setting and compression needs to be tailored to each vocal performance. It recommends focusing on ensuring all words are clearly heard and provides tips on using attack time, release time, threshold, ratio, and knee settings to emphasize or de-emphasize consonants and control dynamics in a natural sounding way tailored to the genre of music. Preset compression settings are unlikely to work for all vocals.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    318 views7 pages

    Vocal Compression Cheatsheet

    Uploaded by

    Ayan Bhattacharjee
    This document provides guidance on setting vocal compression settings. It notes that there is no single correct setting and compression needs to be tailored to each vocal performance. It recommends focusing on ensuring all words are clearly heard and provides tips on using attack time, release time, threshold, ratio, and knee settings to emphasize or de-emphasize consonants and control dynamics in a natural sounding way tailored to the genre of music. Preset compression settings are unlikely to work for all vocals.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 7
    At a glance
    Powered by AI
    The key takeaways are that there is no single perfect vocal compression setting, the main goal is to ensure every word is clearly heard, and the attack, release, threshold, ratio and knee parameters should be adjusted based on listening.

    The main goals when setting vocal compression are to ensure every word is clearly heard and intelligible, and to focus on color and character only after intelligibility is achieved.

    The main factors that affect how a compressor shapes vocals are the attack time, release time, threshold, ratio and knee setting. The attack time affects consonants, the release time shapes tails of words and phrases, the threshold and ratio determine how much compression is applied, and the knee affects how subtly or aggressively the compression is applied.

    Vocal Compression Cheatsheet

    Many bloggers will ​tell​ you what the "perfect" vocal compression settings are.

    I wish I could do that too. Heck, it'd certainly save me a few keystrokes.

    But the truth is, it's not that easy. And I don't want to mislead you.

    There is no one-size-fits-all formula to vocal compression. There are no magic settings


    that work 100% of the time.

    With that being said, it ​is​ possible to quickly dial in the right vocal compression settings, if you
    know what to listen for. Here's where to start…

    Can You Hear Me Now?

    When you're searching for the perfect vocal compression settings, there's one goal worth paying
    attention to:

    You want to hear every word.

    Yes...color and character matter too. But they're far less important, and focusing on them will
    often distract you from what matters most.

    When in doubt, simply ask yourself the question—can I hear every word?

    Let the answer be your guide, and you'll remain on the right track.

    Attack Time

    Your compressor's attack time will affect the consonants of a vocal performance.

    Faster attack times will pull consonants down.​ This can make a vocal smoother and less
    aggressive. Often times, it can also push a vocal further back in the mix.

    On the other hand, slower attack times will emphasize consonants.​ This can add
    articulation and clarity to a performance. It can also make a vocalist sound like they're spitting
    out the words. For this reason, slow-attack compression tends to work well on hip-hop vocals,
    where clear diction is crucial.
    How To Nail The Perfect Attack Time:

    1. Start with a moderate setting (~5 ms).


    2. Adjust the attack control while listening closely to the consonants. Want more of them?
    Slow it down. Less? Speed it up.

    Release Time

    Your compressor's release time will control how it shapes the tail ends of words and phrases.
    There are really only two options:

    ● Set it as fast as possible


    ● Time it to the follow the natural dynamics of the performance

    Option #1 will bring up low-level details, like breaths and tail ends of phrases.​ This can
    make a performance sound more aggressive and passionate. This setting works well on harder
    styles of music, like mainstream pop and rock.

    Option #2 will reign in dynamics in a more subtle, transparent way.​ This can often sound
    more natural and less processed than Option #1. This approach works well with softer, mellower
    genres (think folk, jazz, and acoustic). To learn how to pull off this technique, ​watch the video
    here​.

    Threshold and Ratio

    Threshold and ratio determine how much compression is applied, and how aggressive it is.
    They work best when tweaked together.

    How To Nail The Perfect Threshold And Ratio:

    1. Set the ratio to a moderate setting (~3:1).


    2. While listening to your entire mix (​do not solo the vocal​), pull down the threshold until the
    compressor starts compressing. Add makeup gain as needed so the vocal doesn't drop
    in volume.
    3. Adjust the threshold, ratio, and makeup gain until you can hear every word of the
    performance clearly. If the threshold is down very low but certain words are still getting
    lost, turn up the ratio. If the compression sounds too aggressive, turn down the ratio.

    Knee

    Sometimes, you can ​hear​ the compressor clamp down on a vocal when it hits the threshold.
    This can often sound unnatural and distracting.
    The solution is to dial in a softer knee. ​This will cause compression to ease in as the signal
    approaches the threshold, making the transition from no compression to compression
    more subtle and less obtrusive.​ This approach works well on mellower tracks, where
    transparent dynamic control is often desirable.

    On the other hand, a hard knee will make the compressor react more aggressively when a vocal
    hits the threshold. This can help put a lid on vocals that need to be tightly controlled.

    While some compressors offer independent control over this parameter, others have fixed
    knees. It's worth researching the knee shape of your favorite compressors, as this will play a
    large role in the way they react.

    How To Nail The Perfect Knee

    If the sound of the compressor kicking in is too noticeable, soften the knee until the problem is
    solved.

    For more mixing tips, visit ​BehindTheSpeakers.com​.


    My 5 Favorite Compressor Plugins

    1. Slate’s FG-Grey (part of their Virtual Bus Compressors package)

    Slate’s FG-Grey is a souped-up emulation of an SSL G-series bus compressor (perhaps the
    most iconic mix bus compressor of all time). It’s got a bright, snappy sound that pairs well with
    most modern genres. The added high-pass filter and mix knob can be a lifesaver.

    2. Sonnox’s Oxford Dynamics

    Sporting an algorithm originally designed by world-renowned engineer Paul Frindle (known for
    creating the legendary SSL G-series bus compressor), the Oxford can nail nearly any
    compression task with grace and musicality. It’s got an incredibly transparent sound that
    enhances mixes without adding any color or tonal shift.
    3. FabFilter’s Pro-C 2

    Known for its gorgeous interface, flexible sidechain filtering, and wide variety of compression
    styles, FabFilter’s Pro-C 2 is the compressor of choice for many modern mixers. While I don’t
    find it to be as musical as the Oxford, its auto-release function can deliver better results on
    tracks with complex dynamics (like acoustic piano).

    4. McDSP’s 6030 Ultimate Compressor

    The 6030 features 10 (yes…10!) compressor modules in a single interface. The modules range
    from emulations of studio classics like the 1176 and LA-2A, to custom creations like the FRG
    444 and iComp. The 1176 and LA-2A are spot on, and a bit more hi-fi than those in Waves’ CLA
    Classic Compressors bundle. Also, nothing beats the Over EZ on drums.
    5. UAD’s Fairchild 670

    The Fairchild’s uber-slow release time can works wonders on downtempo ballads. It’s also got
    an incredibly colored sound that will add heaps of character to any mix. This one’s a bit of a
    one-trick pony, but when it works, there’s nothing like it.

    For more mixing tips, visit ​BehindTheSpeakers.com​.


    Mix By Design is an online training course that will teach you
    how to mix like a pro. You’ll discover a simple, step-by-step
    system you can use to break through overwhelm, sink into
    the creative flow, and make your best mixes yet.

    Ready to get on the path to pro mixes?

    Click Here To Learn More About Mix By Design

    You might also like