audio engineering: Basics of Compression
What you'll learn
- learn how set the threshold for your compression
- learn how to set the ratio for your compression
- learn how to set the attack and release for your compresion
- learn what dynamic range is
- learn what a compressor is and how it is used
- learn what the controls on a compressor does
Requirements
- no software is required
- A DAW with a compressor plugin is highly recommended
- Having a DAW with a compressor plugin will allow you to practice everything I'm teaching in this course
- If you are using a mac than a DAW named garageband comes free on all macs
- If you want to use the DAW I'm using it is called Presonus Studio one. The free version does not come with a compressor but a free demo version of the version that does come with a compressor (artist and up) is available to be downloaded.
Description
Using a compressor and understanding compression is one of the hardest things for entry audio engineers to grasp. With so many different compressors and compressors types its not hard to see why people struggle with compression. Compression is critical to getting good mixes in music today, and without a proper knowledge of compressors and how to use them your mixes can easily turn thin and lifeless. Compressors can add color to tracks, crush drums, smooth out vocals, and add weight to a bass. Compressors can add to an track, or it can take away. For example, with a compressor you add punch to a kick drum, you can take the punch away. It all depends on how you use it. And there are many, many ways to use a compressor. Using compression properly will help improve your mixes by keeping dynamics controlled. My Basics of Compression course will teach you everything you need to know to get started with compressors. Attack, release, threshold, ratio, I explain them all. I also will go over advanced controls such as the mix knob, knee, and side chain that you might see on some compressors. I also answer some frequently asked questioned about compression.
So if your just getting into engineering and you are struggling to understand compression this course is for you. My teaching method and analogies should give you confidence you need to use compressors.
For more on compression including compressor types, kinds, examples, uses, using classic compressors, and more please subscribe to my audio engineering: All About Compression course (Coming Soon!). By sharing some of my knowledge of 15 plus years in audio this course will teach you the following:
- what is a compressor
- how is compression used
- controls on a compressor
- how use the controls on a comrpessor
- the difference between compressors and limiters
- analogy for understanding compression
- examples of how compression controls work
Who this course is for:
- this course is for anyone in audio wanting to learn more about compression
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Instructor
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- 35,262 Students
- 11 Courses
Czar was born in Nashville, but got his musical roots while being raised in Memphis. He worked for a few studios in Memphis as well as owning his own recording studio called the Kremlin. In 2000 Czar founded Throneholder Productions, a production company for hip-hop, R&B, pop, and dance music. After years of producing independent artist, Czar later returned to Nashville to pursue a BA in audio production from the Art Institute of Tennessee Nashville, which he received with honors. During school he began to focus on engineering and mixing, which is where he finds most of his work since moving to Nashville. When he's not busy in a studio engineering or in the Kremlin mixing, Czar spends his spare time researching gear, blogging about audio, writing gear reviews, and posting helpful tutorial videos online to help others learn.