Marcus Miller talks about compression

[qervo]

Invalid Link Removed
Sort of an overview of how to use compression. I like the way Marcus explains it here. His vibe is so laid back and for some reason the sound of his voice just cracks me up.

 

[Rhegedor]

Mmm that was a nice explanation on it. I basically understood compressors before but nice reinforcement on using one.

 

[qervo]

I understood the principles but I wasn't to sure about ratios.

 

[Jared Lash]

I understood the principles but I wasn't to sure about ratios.

The ratio dictates the amount of compression a note experiences once it passes the threshold. For instance, a 2:1 ratio means that for every 2 dB a note is above the threshold, the volume only goes up 1 dB.

That's pretty gentle compression and with a slow attack it would be a very subtle change to your sound.

As the ratio gets higher and higher the compression really squeezes any notes that get above the threshold so that they don't get much louder than where the threshold is set which makes for VERY noticeable compression when the ratio gets to 10:1, 20:1 or even infinity:1 where other than the initial spike that the compressor doesn't catch no notes are higher than the threshold.

Since the compressor is basically decreasing your average volume (since the loud spikes are now quieter) compressors have a gain knob (or automatic internal control) to raise the average volume back up. This is what makes your softer notes louder when using a compressor. It's also why compressors enhance existing noise since you're essentially turning up the volume on everything.

 

[qervo]

Thanks. I appreciate the explanation

 

[SirMjac28]

Good video love that amp

 

[qervo]

Have you played through these amps ? Anyone else own one? Thoughts?

 

[SirMjac28]

I have not but it looks really feature packed

 

[Kmonk]

I liked his explanation but I didn't really hear much of a difference in sound when he changed settings.

I liked his sound better when he was using EBS.

 

[Afc70]

Ebs has some amazing compressors built into their amps for sure. Not an Swr fan at all.