This method will allow you to hear the effect of each setting on the overall sound as you set the compressor up
Set the controls on the compressor as follows: Highest ratio Fastest Attack Fastest release Low threshold (lots of gain reduction happening)
Step 1 – Attack Settings Start with the attack control. Experiment with different speeds and listen to the effect it has on the leading edge of the sound. If compressing a snare for example you should hear that the fastest attack sounds like a thin drumstick, and as you slow down the attack the drumstick will sound thicker. Only focus on the leading edge, ignore the artefacts introduced by the other settings Focus here is the thickness of the attack, which should be adjusted to taste
Step 2 – Release Settings Next start to slow down the release. Again adjust and listen, try and achieve slower speeds while keeping some nice ‘bounce-back’ to the attack stage. You could try and make this sound musical in terms of the groove/tempo fo the track for example. If this is set too slow it will start to affect the transients as the compressor wont be able to let go before the next transient hits
Step 3 – Ratio Settings Higher Ratios = smaller sound/Lower Ratios = larger sound. Lower the ratio until you feel the ‘size’ of the part fits the space it has in the track.
Step 4 – Threshold Settings Its good to try and make sure it isn’t compressing all the time – allow some parts to have no compression (or 1:1 ratio) so they have the chance to sound big! With more percussive parts or drum sounds this may not be possible due to the short nature of each hit – in this case make sure you bypass the compressor to see what effect you are having on the part.
