When To Use Compression; How To Use Compression - Focusrite Green Range Manual

When to use Compression

Compress hard:
• To stop dropping in and out (particularly vocals – compress quite hard so they sit
above the mix).
• When recording bass (for example) – there is a lot of bass energy that can easily
get out of control.
• When recording snare.
• Anything you want to maintain a continuous presence in the mix.
Compress more softly:
• When the attack is an important characteristic of the sound.

How to use Compression

1. Using an input signal with wide dynamic range, set the controls in the following
starting positions:
• Ratio in the middle (around 5:1).
• Threshold at maximum (+12).
• Auto Rel off.
• Make-up gain at minimum.
• Switch the meter to show gain change, so that you can monitor the effect of
compression.
2. Reduce the threshold, and monitor the effect this has on the sound:
• Listen to the reduction in the dynamic range.
• Watch the meter to see the amount of gain reduction.
As you reduce the threshold, increase the make-up gain to restore the level of the
signal.
3. When you are close to the dynamic range you want, you need to adjust all the
controls to achieve the quality of sound that you are looking for:
• Adjust the ratio to compress softer or harder.
• Adjust the threshold to compress sooner or later.
The combination of ratio and threshold determines the maximum level of the
loudest sections.
• Adjust the release to even out compression between the loud and quiet
sections. If the compression sounds unnatural to you, try using Auto Rel.
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