what I have discovered on TH-cam is that everyone will show you his /her way of doing things.. But I think this is the most valuable tutorial I've watched so far
now THIS is something we all wanna learn and nobody really teaches. yes you can self learn but I'm sure Chris has something that'll help us beginners all learn faster! i can only hear the snap of the compressor currently. i believe i know how to set attack and release and threshold, but I'm nowhere near "good". thankyou Chris! (Cubase forever)
Another very good tutorial Chris, still learning to hear the compression well, attack and release setting is so hard.. this will be very helpful, thanks!
What helped me recently to better understand compression is a tip from the brilliant UBK happyfuntimehour podcast: focus on the groove that the different attack and release time produce. Won’t really work on a single snare track, but listening in context while setting the params (maybe even with eyes closed) you learn to hear what works in the song. Helped me a good bit because I was too focused on the technical side (“is this the right attack time” etc.)
I'm a huge fan of the UBK HFTH Podcast myself (What's on your MIX BUSS???) ;-) Starting with a high transient sound like a snare helps to learn about what the Attack and Release sounds like but I agree with you, once you experiment this on an Instrument Buss or Mix Buss, focusing on the groove and movement of the compression will be easier. Thanks for your comment, brother!
Hey Chris. I've been in Cubase for over a decade. Had a few things to brush up on the last few years and am always blown away by the fact that you've pretty much always answered every question I have before I get to google :p Thank you for being the best teacher on the internet! I know you're always looking for new ideas so I thought I'd suggest a video on Upward Expansion and its applications as an extension of your vast coverage on regular compression etc. Looking forward to graduating this year so I can make some more money and sub to your Pateron if you've got one (if not I'll just send a well earned dono!)
Hey Benoit, Thanks for your nice comment. I don't have a Patreon but might work on something similar later this year. I very happy the videos help you out :-) Yes, Upward Expansion would be a good topic to cover. I will add this to my list.
Good guide to help order our own training, Chris, thank you. Compression is one of the tricky things (at least for me). You pointed out at 9:43 it was attack instead of release meant. I think by the other side in 8:14 it was release instead of attack meant.
I think if you had used the SSL Xlogic G Series Compressor on a drums bus we might have heard the effect of compression even better because that compressor is just so colorful..but this is great as well!
The point of this video is to show you how to train yourself to hear compression and not about the sound of a specific compressor. You can use the compressor you want :-)
@@mixdownonline No I didn't mean that...What I actually meant was it would have been easier to understand the effect of compression with that compressor
I dunno... This started out great with the illustration of the sound envelope. I instantly understood (I've a visual learner). But then I couldn't really follow the conceptual explanations. And I didn't hear much difference. I'm sure if I just test on my own, I'll start to learn - true. Just wish, there was another illustration with different settings, and why (as well as the how) it affects a snare, guitar, etc. Helpful, anyways - including the PDF. From watching different vids here on YT I'm starting to gain an understanding. I just can't find 1 video that explains it in a way I could understand fully. (As soon as I think I understand, I learn something that I understood incorrectly LOL)
Compression can be confusing and it's almost impossible to cover all what a compressor does with only one video. That is an entire course on it's own. My goal with this video is to give a basic understanding of what to look for to start hearing compression. I did not show a lot of audible example and that is on purpose. I give the tools so you can experiment on your own which the best way to learn. Follow the steps in the video on a regular basis, and you will get better at this. Don't forget that I will also add more videos on compression in the future.. Also feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Maybe those can be answered through an older video or a upcoming one :-)
Another great video Chris. Q: regarding drums, I didn't get the full explanation of why you have two master drum groups in your template. Which one do you put compression on? Thanks for your tireless work - stay well!
I have a Drum Buss for my accoustic drums and my Main Drum Buss that includes all Drums/Loops/Percs. The first one I will use Parallel Compression and on the later one, no compression or light compression if needed.
Whoops. After many tries, suddenly everything worked. Forget last comment. But I do have an unrelated Cubase question: I can't get the transport bar to remain open when I open any of the editors (key, drum, etc.). I know I can hit F2 and open/close it, but is there a way to keep it visible all the time? Thanks, Chris. Your videos are excellent.
At the bottom right of the Project Window, click on the "Set up Transport" ico and make sure that "Transport Controls" if checked. This way, the transport comtrol will stay at the Transport section at bottom of the Project Window :-)
Hi Chris I wanted to ask a question via mixdown online but I do not know how to register - there is sigh in only??? But my question is - could you provide us with your opinion in terms of bus, steam, master compression vs tape compression? Thank’s in advance. Jan
Perhaps to show the results better, explain that you'll increase the attack time (as we can see you doing it) and do it whilst playing, instead of stopping, then changing the settings, then playing it back, it's harder to notice the difference that way. Either way, your videos are much appreciated. It would be good if you did some basic mixing demo templates using stock plugins only for Cubase for 2-3 genres (EDM being one), I think we all learn better that way by looking at how something was done and dissecting that information.
Exactly - not doing this in real time is odd. Also, attack and release are also strange places to start to "hear" compression. First learn how compression works with only threshold and ratio settings like on a dBX 160 and then you begin to hear what's happening. Attack and release just further tweak to taste after the threshold and ratio settings have been decided. Anyway, that's how we learned to do it back in the days.
@benny 1.The goal here is to show you what to do so you can try it for yourself. You just need to understand the steps I take and then open your DAW and do the same. That will force you to use your ears a lot... That's the best way to learn ;-) 2. I'm actually working on a Mixing in Cubase course that will come out in April or May where I mix a full song with Cubase plugins, nothing else. Be sure you're on my mailing list to be updated on this.
@M Sully Nothing odd about that, read my comment above :-) I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this even if I know that a lot of people with think that... Attack and Release are way more than just further tweaks... The DBX160 has programed dependant Attack and Release and that's the main reason why you get that sound and vibe out of that compressor. It doesn't matter what compressor you use, it will always have an Attack and Release that will play a huge role in shaping the tone of your sound. That's why I believe it's a good place to start when it come to hear the effect of compression. If you can get to hear an identify what the Attack and Release does to all sorts of different sounds when compressing, you'll be ahead of most people when it comes to compression and you will understand more the behavior of a compressor. And of course, without the Threshold, there's no compression, I agree with you on that one ;-)
@@mixdownonline Perhaps I understated the Attack/Release function a tad but I still contend that starting out with compressors and learning to hear them working starts with the threshold & ratio sections and that compressors like the 160, although program dependent and colored, keep the user focused on the primary functions of the device. That said, run your demonstrations concurrently with your adjustments so that the differences are more pronounced. And, of course, thanks for the vid.
M Sully Actually the demonstrations were not done concurrently with the adjustments, because this video wasn’t meant to show how it sounds but to show what to do later by ourselves. I mean, it is a video to show how to train not to show how it sounds.
Sorry but not super useful to have only show the compressed sound and not have the "on/off" comparison. If the object is to learn to hear compression it would be much better (essential, I think) to turn the compressor on and off during the example, or turn the parameter up/down so we can hear it happening. Instead we have to try and remember what the last example sounded like and compare in our memory.
*** Correction: At 8:14, I meant to say that a very "fast Release" can produce distortion and not a "fast Attack".
Thank You!
As if by magic, I read this comment about 1500 milliseconds after I heard it on the video.
what I have discovered on TH-cam is that everyone will show you his /her way of doing things..
But I think this is the most valuable tutorial I've watched so far
now THIS is something we all wanna learn and nobody really teaches. yes you can self learn but I'm sure Chris has something that'll help us beginners all learn faster! i can only hear the snap of the compressor currently. i believe i know how to set attack and release and threshold, but I'm nowhere near "good". thankyou Chris! (Cubase forever)
Another very good tutorial Chris, still learning to hear the compression well, attack and release setting is so hard.. this will be very helpful, thanks!
You're welcome!
What helped me recently to better understand compression is a tip from the brilliant UBK happyfuntimehour podcast: focus on the groove that the different attack and release time produce. Won’t really work on a single snare track, but listening in context while setting the params (maybe even with eyes closed) you learn to hear what works in the song. Helped me a good bit because I was too focused on the technical side (“is this the right attack time” etc.)
I'm a huge fan of the UBK HFTH Podcast myself (What's on your MIX BUSS???) ;-) Starting with a high transient sound like a snare helps to learn about what the Attack and Release sounds like but I agree with you, once you experiment this on an Instrument Buss or Mix Buss, focusing on the groove and movement of the compression will be easier. Thanks for your comment, brother!
Excellent!!!!
Great video and explanation, thanks so much!
You're very welcome!
This is a great way to practice hearing compression. I will exercise this method, easy to apply and getting the hang of it.
Hey Chris. I've been in Cubase for over a decade. Had a few things to brush up on the last few years and am always blown away by the fact that you've pretty much always answered every question I have before I get to google :p Thank you for being the best teacher on the internet!
I know you're always looking for new ideas so I thought I'd suggest a video on Upward Expansion and its applications as an extension of your vast coverage on regular compression etc.
Looking forward to graduating this year so I can make some more money and sub to your Pateron if you've got one (if not I'll just send a well earned dono!)
Hey Benoit, Thanks for your nice comment. I don't have a Patreon but might work on something similar later this year. I very happy the videos help you out :-)
Yes, Upward Expansion would be a good topic to cover. I will add this to my list.
Thanx chris.
Very welcome
Thanks Chris.
Such a great video! Thank you
You are so welcome!
Hi Chris you are great 🙏🙏🙏
Hey, thanks Ngamba!
Another invaluable video Chris. I have learned some of this already but you expanded on it nicely!
Yeah, thanks!
Awesome video Mr. Selim, very helpful as always!
Good guide to help order our own training, Chris, thank you. Compression is one of the tricky things (at least for me).
You pointed out at 9:43 it was attack instead of release meant. I think by the other side in 8:14 it was release instead of attack meant.
OMG Yes, you're right, I definitely meant that a fast Release can produce distortion and not Attack. Thanks for letting me know.
I think if you had used the SSL Xlogic G Series Compressor on a drums bus we might have heard the effect of compression even better because that compressor is just so colorful..but this is great as well!
The point of this video is to show you how to train yourself to hear compression and not about the sound of a specific compressor. You can use the compressor you want :-)
@@mixdownonline No I didn't mean that...What I actually meant was it would have been easier to understand the effect of compression with that compressor
Thank you very much Chris
Amazing tutorial!!! Thanks
Thank you king
What doesthe volume envelope have to do with the compression envelope other than they use the same words to describe change over time?
Thank you for a great video!
Thanks
Subscribed
This was great. Thanks for sharing Chris. Compression is kind of hard to get hold of.
You are awesome
Thanks!
Thank you
This video is perfect!! I've been struggling with compression for a long time and tend to avoid using it. Thank you Chris!!
You're welcome, thanks!
I dunno... This started out great with the illustration of the sound envelope. I instantly understood (I've a visual learner). But then I couldn't really follow the conceptual explanations. And I didn't hear much difference. I'm sure if I just test on my own, I'll start to learn - true. Just wish, there was another illustration with different settings, and why (as well as the how) it affects a snare, guitar, etc.
Helpful, anyways - including the PDF. From watching different vids here on YT I'm starting to gain an understanding. I just can't find 1 video that explains it in a way I could understand fully. (As soon as I think I understand, I learn something that I understood incorrectly LOL)
Compression can be confusing and it's almost impossible to cover all what a compressor does with only one video. That is an entire course on it's own. My goal with this video is to give a basic understanding of what to look for to start hearing compression. I did not show a lot of audible example and that is on purpose. I give the tools so you can experiment on your own which the best way to learn. Follow the steps in the video on a regular basis, and you will get better at this. Don't forget that I will also add more videos on compression in the future.. Also feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Maybe those can be answered through an older video or a upcoming one :-)
Another great video Chris. Q: regarding drums, I didn't get the full explanation of why you have two master drum groups in your template. Which one do you put compression on? Thanks for your tireless work - stay well!
I have a Drum Buss for my accoustic drums and my Main Drum Buss that includes all Drums/Loops/Percs. The first one I will use Parallel Compression and on the later one, no compression or light compression if needed.
Chris Selim - Mixdown Online thanks Chris!
Can't load up your website, or log into Ultimate Cubase. Are you having computer problems?
Whoops. After many tries, suddenly everything worked. Forget last comment.
But I do have an unrelated Cubase question: I can't get the transport bar to remain open when I open any of the editors (key, drum, etc.). I know I can hit F2 and open/close it, but is there a way to keep it visible all the time? Thanks, Chris. Your videos are excellent.
At the bottom right of the Project Window, click on the "Set up Transport" ico and make sure that "Transport Controls" if checked. This way, the transport comtrol will stay at the Transport section at bottom of the Project Window :-)
I cant the difference in anything when u change the dbs lol
Chris is a generous God! xD
Thank you for this video, Sir!
You're welcome!
Hi Chris I wanted to ask a question via mixdown online but I do not know how to register - there is sigh in only??? But my question is - could you provide us with your opinion in terms of bus, steam, master compression vs tape compression? Thank’s in advance. Jan
Hello Jan, I will add this to my list. it's a good question.
Sorry I of course mean stem compression...
Perhaps to show the results better, explain that you'll increase the attack time (as we can see you doing it) and do it whilst playing, instead of stopping, then changing the settings, then playing it back, it's harder to notice the difference that way.
Either way, your videos are much appreciated. It would be good if you did some basic mixing demo templates using stock plugins only for Cubase for 2-3 genres (EDM being one), I think we all learn better that way by looking at how something was done and dissecting that information.
Exactly - not doing this in real time is odd. Also, attack and release are also strange places to start to "hear" compression. First learn how compression works with only threshold and ratio settings like on a dBX 160 and then you begin to hear what's happening. Attack and release just further tweak to taste after the threshold and ratio settings have been decided. Anyway, that's how we learned to do it back in the days.
@benny 1.The goal here is to show you what to do so you can try it for yourself. You just need to understand the steps I take and then open your DAW and do the same. That will force you to use your ears a lot... That's the best way to learn ;-) 2. I'm actually working on a Mixing in Cubase course that will come out in April or May where I mix a full song with Cubase plugins, nothing else. Be sure you're on my mailing list to be updated on this.
@M Sully Nothing odd about that, read my comment above :-) I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this even if I know that a lot of people with think that... Attack and Release are way more than just further tweaks... The DBX160 has programed dependant Attack and Release and that's the main reason why you get that sound and vibe out of that compressor. It doesn't matter what compressor you use, it will always have an Attack and Release that will play a huge role in shaping the tone of your sound. That's why I believe it's a good place to start when it come to hear the effect of compression. If you can get to hear an identify what the Attack and Release does to all sorts of different sounds when compressing, you'll be ahead of most people when it comes to compression and you will understand more the behavior of a compressor. And of course, without the Threshold, there's no compression, I agree with you on that one ;-)
@@mixdownonline Perhaps I understated the Attack/Release function a tad but I still contend that starting out with compressors and learning to hear them working starts with the threshold & ratio sections and that compressors like the 160, although program dependent and colored, keep the user focused on the primary functions of the device. That said, run your demonstrations concurrently with your adjustments so that the differences are more pronounced. And, of course, thanks for the vid.
M Sully Actually the demonstrations were not done concurrently with the adjustments, because this video wasn’t meant to show how it sounds but to show what to do later by ourselves. I mean, it is a video to show how to train not to show how it sounds.
Это ж Паша Техник
It would have been better if you played it with it off then on instead of just on in order to hear the difference.
Sorry but not super useful to have only show the compressed sound and not have the "on/off" comparison. If the object is to learn to hear compression it would be much better (essential, I think) to turn the compressor on and off during the example, or turn the parameter up/down so we can hear it happening. Instead we have to try and remember what the last example sounded like and compare in our memory.
Yes, I found that odd too.