How do mixing and mastering engineers get productions so loud?
Simple Ways to Increase Loudness in Your Mix
By definition, loudness is a subjective perception of volume. It varies from person to person based on a variety of physiology and psychological factors. It’s also frequently confused with physical measures of volume, such as sound pressure level represented by…
Master Compression with SoundGym’s Compressionist
6 Compression Tips That Will Change the Way You Mix
Sometimes the most useful compression tips aren’t super secret recipes. It’s more about being familiar with the barebones basics, knowing what other techniques are available, and having an end goal in mind. The following compression tips are widely applicable to…
What is a Compressor Ratio?
Compression isn’t the easiest thing to understand at first. Wrapping your head around the controls and how they impact the sound is confusing—but you definitely aren’t alone. If you’re struggling to figure out just how to set your compressor ratio,…
Mixing Basics: EQ Before or After Compression?
How to Use a Compressor – Intermediate Techniques
We’ve talked a lot about how to use a compressor in various stages of the recording and mixing processes. The best way to learn is to get your hands dirty, which you’ll be able to do with some of these…
Compression Techniques: The Multiband Compressor
Learning to use a compressor is one of the most important mixing skills you can develop. Compression is all over mixes, even becoming the sound we associate with loud, modern pop mixing. If there’s anything you want to really understand, it’s…
Parallel Compression Explained
Parallel compression was developed as a means to an end. The vast majority of compressors are “downward” in action. This means that they work by reducing the peaks in source material. Parallel compression, on the other hand, was designed to…
A Beginner’s Guide to Sidechain Compression
Sidechain compression is an intermediate level mixing technique that allows you to set an alternate input signal source from the track on which the compressor is inserted. For instance, if you place a compressor on the bass guitar and “sidechain”…
How to Use a Compressor (Easy Beginner’s Guide)
Learning how to use a compressor is one of the most important mixing skills you can acquire. Compression is quite literally all over mixes, even becoming the sound we associate with loud, modern pop mixing. If there’s anything you want to…
Should I Be Using Sidechain Compression?
Sidechain compression is a common “advanced” mixing technique. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I use sidechain compression here?,” the answer is “Give it a shot!” It uses are somewhat particular, but sidechaining generally creates more separation, more rhythm, or more…
Sidechain Compression Techniques for Better Mixes
Sidechain compression is a very common, but often considered “advanced,” mixing technique. If you’ve made it this far to be curious about it, you’re probably pretty familiar with how compressors generally work. If not, there’s always time for a quick…
Should you EQ programmed Drums? | FAQ Friday
Vocal Compression for Beginners
Learning to mix an up-front, in-your-face vocal takes practice. Understandably the most important aspect of a song across numerous genres, a great sounding, competitive vocal has the power to stand out from the pack. But how do we even get…