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By Ian Vargo on 05/15/2015 · Compression

It’s no secret that dynamic range compression is one of the

most important and versatile tools to an audio engineer.

Here’s information on some of the ways that you can use

the many different types of compression to enhance your

productions.

Multiband compression allows one to affect the dynamic

range of multiple frequency ranges independently of one

another. Want to tame the beater of a kick drum without

altering the low end? No problem. Simply choose a

frequency range, and then set threshold, attack and release

like you would on a normal compressor.

Practical applications: Master bus for clearing up problem

areas like low-mid buildup, or on lead vocals to tame

harshness in the 5-10k range.

Recommended plugins: FabFilter Pro-MB, iZotope Ozone 6,

Waves L3-LL Multimaximizer

Lookahead compression essentially analyzes an input signal

and applies compression before the signal is audible,

allowing one to tame transients in a unique way. Lookahead

compression can be achieved with a standard compressor

by duplicating the signal onto another track in your DAW,

moving the audio back in time, placing a compressor on the

original signal, and using the duplicated audio as the

5 Different Types ofCompression and When toUse Them

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1. MultibandCompression/Limiting

2. Lookahead Compression

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sidechain input.

Practical applications: Really anything with prominent, fast

transients but especially effective on snare drum and

vocals.

Recommended plugins: Softube FET compressor, Waves C1

Compressor with Sidechain

[Disclaimer] Learn how to mix before simply applying a

brickwall limiter to the master bus of all your productions.

Although arguably the catalyst for the Loudness War, which

stripped certain popular music of dynamics for over a

decade, brickwall limiting certainly has its place in music

production, live sound reinforcement and broadcast. Set

the ceiling, and your signal will never go above it. Alter the

threshold to bring the lower amplitude of the dynamic

range closer to the top, allowing one to reach professional-

level RMS without understanding professional-level mixing

skills. [see disclaimer!]

Practical applications: Pre-mastering if used properly and

mastering. Use on sub-auxiliary tracks to achieve higher

RMS values before even hitting the master bus. Can be used

on individual tracks to tame transients or shape tone just

like a traditional compressor.

Recommended plugins: FabFilter Pro-L, Waves L2, PSP

Xenon

A staple of the EDM production toolkit, the sound of a side-

chained synthesizer and kick drum is instantly recognizable.

Essentially, it involves using one signal to apply compression

upon a another. There are plenty of online tutorials for this

process, but the applications below may be ones you’re less

familiar with.

Practical applications: Use the signal of vocals to duck

drums or guitars to allow the vocal to sit more prominently

in the mix, use a sample to replace or augment originally

recorded cymbals, use a cowbell or tick sample rather than

3. Brickwall Limiting

4. Sidechain Compression orDucking

the kick to duck synth (due to the faster attack of the tick

sound.)

Recommended plugins: Softube CL1B or Valley People

Dyna-mite, Waves H-Comp or API 2500

Parallel compression (sometimes referred to as New York

compression) is great for keeping the original, natural

sound of a recording, while still enjoying the benefits of a

compressed signal. Simply route your signal to an auxilliary

track (via the sends, not output) apply compression, and

blend in the aux track to taste. Be aware of delay

compensation settings in your DAW to avoid unwanted

phase issues.

Practical Applications: Very popular on drums or signals

with harsh transients. Also great on the master bus for

achieving a boost in RMS.

Recommended plugins: Certain plugins like Cytomic’s The

Glue or FabFilter’s Pro-L allow for a dry/wet blend which can

achieve similar results to parallel, but any of your favorite

compressors can achieve great results if used properly.

1. The Most Effective Way to Learn

Compression

2. The Complete Guide to Mixing Vocals:

Dynamics

3. 5 Effective Ways to Use Compression

4. Tips for Effective Buss Compression

5. 7 Resources for Learning Compression

Ian Vargo is a Producer, Mixer and Audio Professor based in

Los Angeles. He has worked on numerous major label and

independent records. Check out his demo reel here.

5. Parallel Compression

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IAN VARGO

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Noisy Lingus • 4 months ago

Really good article Ian. I can't agree more with you. Onceyou know how to handle all of these techniques properly, it'sreally awesome the way you can improve a song. It's justtime and experimentations until you find the sweet spot.

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