Master Compressor?

[rammer24]

This is a legit question, not filler.

I used to put a compressor before my master limiter. I'd go for very little compression, maybe 1 or 2 db reduction. I can't remember why I stopped doing it. Maybe at that time, my mixes weren't good enough and the compression was too obvious or something. I really don't remember. Maybe I just wanted to strip shit down and keep it simple.

Now, I just put a limiter (Waves L3) on my mix and Bob's your uncle.

Do any of you compress and limit? I know Greg has mentioned that he puts a few limiters in series and does gentle limiting on each one. Greg, do you also compress? Or just limit?

Talk to me, motherfuckers.

[Greg_L]

I do not, ever, compress the master buss. It's just not my thing. I don't like it, don't want it, don't need it, I'm good.

The only thing on my master buss is a graphic EQ that I flip on and off during mixing to see where things are. I use the fixed bands to check certain frequencies and see what kind of stack ups or holes are happening. Then I'll go into those instruments that fit that range and see what's up.

I also keep a mild limiter on the master bus. I flip it on and off too just to see how what I'm doing will stand up to master squashing.

When my mix is good, I'll bounce it out raw and bring it back in to a new empty project folder for "mastering", which does include a whole bunch of limiters in a row and sometimes some final master EQ.

[rammer24]

When my mix is good, I'll bounce it out raw and bring it back in to a new empty project folder for "mastering", which does include a whole bunch of limiters in a row and sometimes some final master EQ.

That's actually what I'm talking about. I didn't mean while I mix/track. I have nothing on my master bus, too. But I know some people put a compressor and a limiter (among other things) on their mixes when they're mastering.

[Greg_L]

I know some people like to gel their mix together with light compression. I don't. I don't ever feel I need it. My kind of music isn't very dynamic anyway. It's a barrage of noise with or without compression. Limiting crams it all together perfectly fine for me.

If I have something that's just too all over the place, I'll compress that track by itself.

[rammer24]

My kind of music isn't very dynamic anyway. It's a barrage of noise with or without compression. Limiting crams it all together perfectly fine for me.

Yeah, that's why i'm not sure I see a need for it. Not that I play the hardest driving music all the time, and I do do some more dynamic stuff from time to time, I find limiting more than enough.

[Greg_L]

For me, even with my anti-dynamic music, I'm still happy with the dynamics I do get. I feel like I can hear everything fine and clear in my stupid mixes. Another compression element can't be a good thing for me.

[miroslav]

When my mix is good, I'll bounce it out raw and bring it back in to a new empty project folder for "mastering", which does include a whole bunch of limiters in a row and sometimes some final master EQ.

I know you guys are tlaking ITB stuff here...so I'm kinda wondering does that process make any difference?

IOW,,,,you have your tracks and your mixer...and you stick a comp or limiter (or many in series or whatever) on the stereo bus and do your mixdown...

...VS...

You do the mixdown and then add all that stuff to the stereo mix...?

Since there is no analog console summing and any of that going on...it's all ITB number crunching...is there a difference putting a comp/limiter on the stereo bus, where it's the last thing hitting your stereo mix compared to putting on the finished stereo mix?
Either way, isn't it still the happening the same way. and doing the same thing to your mix...?

[rammer24]

is there a difference putting a comp/limiter on the stereo bus, where it's the last thing hitting your stereo mix compared to putting on the finished stereo mix?

Honestly, I don't know the answer to that. Logically, it would seem there is no difference. But I like having an "Un-mastered" version of all my songs, in case I ever want to go back and re-mix or tweak things. I'm just used to treating mixing as its' own process and then "Shmastering" as a different process.

[Lt. Bob]

I pretty much dislike compression.

I am trying to learn it's benefits but for the most part, I don't like it.
There are mostly other ways to control things.

[JD01]

I pretty much dislike compression.

I am trying to learn it's benefits but for the most part, I don't like it.
There are mostly other ways to control things.

Bob, are you of a generation where vocalists don't need compression 'cos they can just lean further away from the mic?

Surely no one practices hard enough or bothers to be that good anymore!

[rammer24]

I pretty much dislike compression.

I am trying to learn it's benefits but for the most part, I don't like it.
There are mostly other ways to control things.

There are. But I don't use compression to control anything. I'll compress something because I like the sound of what it does. An un-compressed snare will never sound good to me. Same with kik, bass, vocals, etc....I'll try to control volumes and dynamics in the performance itself.

[Greg_L]

I know you guys are tlaking ITB stuff here...so I'm kinda wondering does that process make any difference?

IOW,,,,you have your tracks and your mixer...and you stick a comp or limiter (or many in series or whatever) on the stereo bus and do your mixdown...

...VS...

You do the mixdown and then add all that stuff to the stereo mix...?

Since there is no analog console summing and any of that going on...it's all ITB number crunching...is there a difference putting a comp/limiter on the stereo bus, where it's the last thing hitting your stereo mix compared to putting on the finished stereo mix?
Either way, isn't it still the happening the same way. and doing the same thing to your mix...?

The "process" probably doesn't make any difference, but I just like doing them separately. It's separate mindsets, a separate function, and I don't like having all those tracks and plugs staring at me all the time.

I have my mix project, and a separate mastering project. That's just the way I like to do it and I'm not changing even if it makes no difference at all.

[Greg_L]

There are. But I don't use compression to control anything. I'll compress something because I like the sound of what it does. An un-compressed snare will never sound good to me. Same with kik, bass, vocals, etc....I'll try to control volumes and dynamics in the performance itself.

Agreed. I use compression for sonic reasons. I like the sound of compression on certain things. It never has anything to do with dynamic control.

[miroslav]

But I like having an "Un-mastered" version of all my songs,

Oh yeah...for sure.
I'm just wondering if there is any difference technically or sound-wise.

I mix out of the DAW through my console, so I'm out of the box at that point...and I will put a comp on the MB, which is coming after the summing, but it's a specific stereo bus hardware unit, and it also includes some low/high EQ filters post-comp built-in...and then I may follow that up with a stereo EQ unit, or maybe stick it in front of the comp.
Both are used very lightly. just to glue and tweak things. I usually set up the whole mix and get it balanced first...and then I'll insert the comp and/or EQ...so I'm not mixing with them on the MB the whole time.
I will A/B...and if I don't need them...I take them off the MB.

[miroslav]

I use compression for sonic reasons. I like the sound of compression on certain things. It never has anything to do with dynamic control.

That's also been my main use...either on the tracks or if/when I put it on the MB.

AFA dynamics control...I just tweak that manually at the track level...though some people like to use volume automation...whatever works.

[ocnor]

I always have a compressor/limiter and maximizer on the main bus. I toggle them on and off to get a better sense of what will jump out of the mix when I faux master it.

[rammer24]

I always have a compressor/limiter and maximizer on the main bus. I toggle them on and off to get a better sense of what will jump out of the mix when I faux master it.

Yeah, many people do that. I'm sure there are valid reasons to do it. I just try to get my mixes as good as they can be without any help on the master. Having said that, there are times when I discover a mix issue only when I'm mastering, and then I go back and fix something in the mix. So, I can see why having a limiter on the master can help.

Actually, I forgot...I actually do have something on my master bus when I mix. But it's just REAPER's "JS: REALOUD". It's not a compressor. It's simply a volume contol. I got sick of forgetting how loud I need to turn up my monitors while mixing, and I'd often almost blow my ears off when I put on a Youtube video or a "finished" song. So, I put this louderizer thing on so that I don't have to crank my monitors so much while I mix.

[JD01]

I always have a compressor/limiter and maximizer on the main bus. I toggle them on and off to get a better sense of what will jump out of the mix when I faux master it.

I do this - I use Event Horizon which comes with Reaper and I click it on and off while mixing.

[Lt. Bob]

Bob, are you of a generation where vocalists don't need compression 'cos they can just lean further away from the mic?

Surely no one practices hard enough or bothers to be that good anymore!

of course ..... been playing for 53 years and earning my living and recording for 46.
So yes, I control my volume by moving closer or further away. Do the same thing with sax.

And yes, I agree ..... mostly no one practices enough to be good anymore!

I pretty much dislike compression.

There are mostly other ways to control things.

There are. But I don't use compression to control anything. I'll compress something because I like the sound of what it does. An un-compressed snare will never sound good to me. Same with kik, bass, vocals, etc....I'll try to control volumes and dynamics in the performance itself.

of course ..... but the sound is specifically what I DON'T like.
I dislike the way it sounds ....

Now, I don't record drumbs ...... so if I did perhaps that would be something I'd like it for.

But guitars basically are already compressed by the amp and I dislike the way comps screw with the attack on sax .... the area I'm trying to use it on a bit is vox, but so far I mostly don't like it there either.

I'm not alone in this ..... there are big name engineers and producers who avoid it also.

But to be clear, I'm not saying it applies to anyone but me ..... I'm just giving my feelings about it for my own recordings.

[WhiskeyJack]

This a fucking awesome thread.