kick-bass compression

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sickpiggy

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to get the bass and kick to sit with each other you need to compress them together....i get that bit, what i don't understand is whether you compress them both seperately first, and then compress them together? surely you have to do this, because your bass and kick won't both have the same compression needs...but if you do do this how do you make sure not to over-compress? help!

i know im not phrasin this very well, sorry for bein so unclear.... :huh:
 
I'm afraid there is no simple answer. Its all about using your ears - or more accurately, your rib cage.

I wouldn't be inclined to group my kik and bass together but there is more than one way to skin a kipper.

One of my basslines would have been compressed 5 or 6 times before anybody hears it - once when I record it [render it to audio] and then again on the playback. Then I'll compress it again with an outboard [Drawmer LX-20] compressor when I mix, and the whole mix passes through a Focusrite multiband compressor when I mix down. It'll probably get another squeeze at the mastering stage too. Same applies to kick drums...


Using the right compressor for the job is paramount. Particular attention should be paid to setting attack and release times. Too fast and you lose your attack, too slow and you get a lumpy bass.

As always - there is no right or wrong way to do anything with sound - its all down to what you want to hear.


Trial and error and know your monitors.
 
Using a compressor with sidechain might also be helpful for bass that conflicts with your bassdrum... otherwise, like Ott^ said, there is no simple answer, and there are no rules... as long as it sounds right.
 
I understand compression in terms of taking the 'space' out of sound samples and emphasizing the way they are 'released' into the air.

Much as magnification of matter is a case of being sure to focus on the quality of the matter itself rather than the actual process of magnification. So too must compression never cease to focus on an outcome. There must already be a level of quality in the texture or sample to be compressed before any attempt to compress a sound/composition is begun.

In less words, compression free's the depths of sound unto the available width of your workmanship.

That would be why our incumbents are aiding you to 'find your sound' and 'there are no rules'. This is because the sound is only a big as you can hear. Which is dependent upon noneother than the mind persuring this text. :trippn:


I find that general 'kick' 'vocal' 'finale' and 'fx' pre-sets are a good start. Bounce and study the sound-waves next to the original and visualise what is happening when you use compression.


Could be wrong though - this is what I've learned to date.


:huh:
 
I just realised OTT^'s avatar is a big ol' cock with hairy balls. I thought it was his signature!!


:excessiv:


I guess it could be in a sense.

:smokingr:
 
Zaven said:
In less words, compression free's the depths of sound unto the available width of your workmanship.
Click to expand...

:wo^thy:

Mate I don't think any of us could have put it any weirder!
 
I trust my abstractions will aid the freeing of your perceptual approach to sound-craft whilst evading the pervasive limits of its piers & proponents pragmatic confines...

or E.P.L.P.P.P.C as we famously whistle to ourselves.

Visa vis - know the only limit is your own (and to a point - the kit you got, innit..)




A sTudio is Like a U.F.O, get in, hold on and set a course for the unknown. (But don't forget to switch on the HR824 for maximum velocity)

:silly:
 
After the compression,

I'll usually use my analogue E.Q's on my pioneer mixer - and record them back into logic.. They're tight as you like and have some true circuitry warmth. What do you reckon?


:smokingr:
 
:unsure:


Can you elaborate - I'm interested. Is it a plug-in?

Also what decent multi-band compressors can you you plug-in-and-pray? It's all about a multi-band compressor I'm sure.


Any suggestions?

:wo^thy:
 
Zaven said:
Also what decent multi-band compressors can you you plug-in-and-pray?
Click to expand...

absolutely none

multiband tools are THE most powerful and potentially destructive thing you can attack your track with

if you dont know what you're doing, have golden ears, and excellent monitors, do yourself and your listeners a big big favour - don't use them at all.
 
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