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Freebase Dali · 05-09-2010, 05:22 PM

I tend to go along with Classof75 here in my thoughts regarding compression, at least generally.
But being an electronic music fan in particular, I do see the use of heavy compression. Especially side-chained compression. It actually works in a musical way in certain circumstances.
But when it comes to music that actually relies on dynamic range, heavy compression is a huge no-no. To sacrifice the musical dynamics of a song simply to be "as loud as everyone else" is moronic. We all have volume knobs at home.

Light compression has a use for getting your elements to gel a little better as a whole, or to bring out individual elements and make them more punchy, or to tame a vocal track down, etc... There are uses for compression.

The question here is whether OVERcompression is better than compressing only as much as you need to. The answer is obvious to any mixing or mastering engineer who's worth his weight. Unfortunately most of the kids today are far used to hearing overcompressed music because it's what people do now to "stand out" more than the rest and to achieve that "in your face" sound that honestly tires your ears after about track 2, and this is usually what's requested in mastering studios.

Personally, I think compression should be used when it's needed and not a moment before. And not an amount too much.

05-09-2010, 05:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	I tend to go along with Classof75 here in my thoughts regarding compression, at least generally. But being an electronic music fan in particular, I do see the use of heavy compression. Especially side-chained compression. It actually works in a musical way in certain circumstances. But when it comes to music that actually relies on dynamic range, heavy compression is a huge no-no. To sacrifice the musical dynamics of a song simply to be "as loud as everyone else" is moronic. We all have volume knobs at home. Light compression has a use for getting your elements to gel a little better as a whole, or to bring out individual elements and make them more punchy, or to tame a vocal track down, etc... There are uses for compression. The question here is whether OVERcompression is better than compressing only as much as you need to. The answer is obvious to any mixing or mastering engineer who's worth his weight. Unfortunately most of the kids today are far used to hearing overcompressed music because it's what people do now to "stand out" more than the rest and to achieve that "in your face" sound that honestly tires your ears after about track 2, and this is usually what's requested in mastering studios. Personally, I think compression should be used when it's needed and not a moment before. And not an amount too much.