Topic: best compression vst?

[ShellBlast]

The compressor that comes with fl studio just doesnt like me. I can't get it to work right.

[metemi]

The compressor that comes with fl studio just doesnt like me. I can't get it to work right.

Do you know how to use a compressor? That would be the first place to start - http://www.beatportal.com/feed/item/tutorial-how-to-use-compression/

If you don't like the FL one, I like the Classic series from Kjaerhus Audio, and they're free -
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/Classic-Compressor.shtml

Or something really simple like this - http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/LMC-1/

[ShellBlast]

iv actually learned a bit but it has escaped my mind since. for some reason, compression is just the most confusing thing to me. but thanks for the vst and tutorial!

[B_man]

Compression can basically be summed up in reducing the dynamic range of an input signal. It's like those "fat mirrors" at the carnival that squashes your visual appearance so that there is less space between any gaps (gaps being such as the distance between your shoulder and the top of your head, etc.).

Depending on your gain settings, compression takes everything down to an equalibrium-factor and then raises the lowest common denominator to the peak of choice (gain).

Then, "attack" controls the amount of time the machine delays before squashing the signal. I find this very useful for electronica-kicks where the tail needs to be squashed and raised to the click of the kick.

[ShellBlast]

my problem is, my vocals either overpower the music and it makes the music really quiet when the vocals are playing, or the vocals are too low.

[B_man]

my problem is, my vocals either overpower the music and it makes the music really quiet when the vocals are playing, or the vocals are too low.

I've not mixed any real vocals (maybe a few vox and vocal phrases), but it boils down to rolling off EQ and leveling off your tracks. Listen to the mix with a 2-dimensional coordinate system in mind: BOTH volume and frequency.

Vocals got too much bass? Roll them off!

Drums got too much bass with the baritone vox? Turn up the vox a tad + turn down the drum a tad + boost the lower mids of the vox. Repeat until you've got a handy proportion that isn't peaking above -3db on the master meter.

Simple stuff like that which requires a lot of patience and experience with levels. Listen to your favorite bands and locate where these proportions rise and mimic them until they become rules that you can bend to your own custom style.

Now compression and EQ go hand in hand. If you compress but don't keep your frequency range tidy -- you'll be accomplishing as much as if you were trying to shove a herd of elephants into a phone booth.

[APZX]

Vocals will require, Compression, EQ, and Level automation throughout a track. Not really a whole lot you can do about it. But to keep them in the forefront of the track will require that all three be used so that the vocals have an average apparent loudness throughout the track.

As for a compressor VST, really it comes down to what you want out of the compressor. Certain compressors do certain tasks better than others. Waves has a variety of modeled vintage compressors. Universal Audio also makes a variety of modeled vintage equipment. But then again I don't like having to buy an iLok for waves and I certainly don't want to buy UAD for UA stuff. So, what do I do then? Well, thankfully there exist other companies which make some nice plug-ins. One that I've kind of started falling in love with recently is Voxengo. They make a variety of plug-ins, but have a nice selection of EQs and Compressors. Now, for free compressors are darn good one is ReaComp which is part of the ReaPlugs FX Suite offered from the folks who make Reaper. It is a darn nice compressor that is very favorably viewed. Next, everyone needs a quality limiter. If only to protect your ears on the master. For that I use only one because frankly it was free and it is very simple to use, George Yohng's W1 Limiter. It is a clone of Waves L1 Ultramaximizer. Essentially what you've got here is a Brick Wall Limiter than can frankly cram audio to the ceiling, but you don't have to use it like that. It can be very subtle as well. Finally, if you're looking for a compressor to be a little less than transparent but still quite functional then I'd suggest looking at Molot. Free and has some nice color. If used lightly it can add some nice little tone to a sound.

All right, I think that is enough of that for now.

-APZX

[Unaspected]

As far as plugin compressors that don't require extra gear goes, the best one I have heard in the last ten years has to be Tube-Tech CL 1B by Softube. It can do everything from subtle to brutal and sounds quite natural whilst doing it.

http://www.softube.com/tubetech_cl1b.php

In my opinion, Waves are a bit dated. Granted I haven't tried their new "signature" plugins but with companies like Softube and Voxengo around I really don't feel a need to. If I want high end I'll buy extra hardware processing - no point in wasting money on over-priced plugins.

As far as getting vocals to sit properly, other than the above mentioned processes, by far the quickest and easiest method to achieve a working balance is to use NY compression, as explained in this thread:

http://www.theflipsideforum.com/index.php?topic=20353.0

[knobcore]

For commercial vst compressors I like to use Sonnox Oxford and Nomad Factory. (Oxford is very transparent while nomad factory stuff is harmonic distortion groovyness)

Ableton Live's built-in compressors and limiters are some of the best out there that come with any DAW.

One of my favorite free dynamics processors is Arguru Stardust. (He was the guy behind deckadance and was coding effects for eons. Sadly he died in a car accident a few years ago... RIP)

You can find it here: http://www.aodix.com/pagestardust.html

Another thing not said here is if you have a gazillion tracks of audio in the mid-range, no matter how hard you work the vocal it's going to get buried. I mostly just use a mod wheel for level riding, since they have the best resolution. Side-chaining is also an option, but a tricky thing to do in FL since it's routing is not the best.

[APZX]

Knobcore,
The routing in FL is just fine. It is super easy to setup sidechains. The Peak Controller is your friend. Heck, the actual VST implementation of Sidecahaining it self sucks. At least IMO. I'd rather not use it at all just because it does suck pretty hard. When it comes to stuff like that, the peak controller does a very fine job. Not too hard to smooth it out either.

I do agree with you on requiring proper separation of sounds though. That kind of mix is pretty much, well darn near impossible to make sound good. A better tactic is to go back and cut the unnecessary crap.

For everyone else, if you're looking for a pretty sweet modeled compressor, Cytromic's The Glue is actually pretty darn awesome. Not terribly expensive for what is essentially an excellent compressor in general.

-APZX

[OKInsomnia]

Strange that no one uses the Fruity Limiter's compressor. I personally think it's excellent, and being able to see what it's doing to the audio is a huge bonus. I also do use Fruity's Multiband Compressor from time to time, especially for frequency splitting. The Classic Compressor is my goto for drum busses. I just prefer the sound I get out of that plugin for my drums compared to the other 2.

Really, "best" compressor comes down to preference. Different compressors do produce a different sound. It's up to you to decide which one works for you. I would suggest checking out KVR and just looking through all the different compressor listings. I'm sure you're bound to find many different compressors that will fit your needs.

[APZX]

OKInsomnia,
I use the Fruity Limiter from time to time for its nice digital limiting capabilities or for sidechaining. Beyond that I don't use it. I actually don't use Multiband compressors much either. But I do agree on the notion that different compressors work in different ways and it is important to note that.

My go to compressors are, The Glue, W1 (granted its a Limiter), GTS-39 (another limiter but a very nice limiter), ReaComp, ReaXComp (multiband), Molot, and DensityMKII. There are others, but those are the ones I generally start with.

-APZX

[ichizora]

I use UAD LA-2A on vox. It's a very smooth leveler. For the punchier stuff (e.g. kicks) I use UAD 1176LN. When I can't be bothered setting up PDC then I use PSP VintageWarmer2 as the replacement compressor & PSP Xenon as limiter on the master. (These are ALL worth the money!)

[Unaspected]

I can't wait to get my hands on some UAD stuff. It's going to have to be later this year though.

[ichizora]

I can't wait to get my hands on some UAD stuff. It's going to have to be later this year though.

The PDC might drive you insane though, it did me in for a while