The ultimate walkthrough of Dynamics Processors.

Explore advanced dynamics introduction by hearing how compressors and other dynamic processes shape emotion and color in music, and learn practical use cases rather than theory alone.

Explore how micro and macro dynamics shape emotion in sound through compression and tone. Learn analytical listening techniques to map instrument and vocal dynamics and improve music production.

Master how noise gates use threshold, attack, release, and ratio to attenuate low-level noise while preserving natural transients and learn sidechain and pass-band controls for vocals and instruments.

Explore creative dynamics processing with noise gates to align kick and bass via sidechain, tuning, and external bus techniques for dynamic groove.

Explore how compressors control dynamics by using threshold, ratio, attack, release, knee, and make up gain to shape transients in drums and vocals.

Explore how compression reshapes macro and micro dynamics, alters tone, and affects transient, attack, release, and high-frequency content in a drum loop.

Compare how air, tube, and VCA compressors color drums, from 1176 and Fairchild to SSL and LA-2A, analyzing attack, release, threshold, and tonal effects on kick, clap, and hats.

Learn how bass compression shapes mid and sub frequencies, body, and transient, and how attack, release, and threshold settings alter groove and overall mix.

Explore colorful bass compression using classic units like 1176 and LA-2A; adjust low threshold, slow attack, and short release while listening for definition, body, transient, and rhythm; beware overcompression.

Explore vocal compression and its impact on definition, body, and transients within a groove, comparing eleven seventy six and LA-2A, and learning to compress in the context of the music.

Explore how the SSL transformer-based vocal compressor brightens and distorts the vocal, shaping transients. Compare Fairchild and Oxford Dynamics at around 10 ms attack to preserve emotion in the mix.

Explore mix bus compression with the ssl g-series to glue a trance track, balancing dynamics via attack, release, threshold, and ratio while considering sidechain and macro envelope.

Discover how limiting uses a high ratio to cap peaks, how look ahead sets attack and release, and how downward versus output compression (expansion) affects ambience.

Explore expanders by flipping compression; use downward expansion to reduce below-threshold signals and upward expansion to boost above-threshold signals, adjusting ratio and dynamics.

Explore transient designers, dynamic processors using upward and downward expansion to shape transients and sustain. Learn how transient manipulation affects mix placement, perception, and the limits of this tool.

Explore how de-essers reduce vocal sibilance with frequency dependent compression, identify offending frequencies around five to nine kilohertz, and fix issues at the source with mic and preamp choices.