Basics of compression for mixing rock and metal PART 2 OF 2 - TUTORIAL

Learn the basics of compression for rock and metal mixers in this tutorial. In Part 2 of 2, Joel focuses on limiting and limiters (which are a specific type of compressor that often have their own use cases).
See Part 1 here: • Basics of compression ...
If you're confused or mystified by compression, don't worry: you're not alone! Compression is one of the most important mixing tools, but there are a lot of confusing terms.
In this tutorial, Joel Wanasek shows you all the basics, including ratio, threshold, release, attack, makeup gain and more.
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NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.
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[@URMAcademy]

What's your favorite limiter??

[@ALEXISFEEL]

The money

[@claudespeed13579]

FabFilter Pro L

[@BukanIbuMu]

L1

[@heavymetalmixer91]

Loudmax (along with Airwindows ADClip 7 as clipper).

[@thomasmarlin7438]

URM Academy I use the fab filter pro L

[@thomasmarlin7438]

I’m still trying to figure out who would give a “thumbs down” on free knowledge for your mix.

[@bigmoneylikesauce6020]

I'm so glad that you give us this knowledge for free, thank you so much !!!

[@mikesperling9878]

Those two vids where really informative man! Especially the progression how to compress was amazing! Maybe this will finally clean up my mixes.
Thanks for this man! \m/

[@URMAcademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@joelwanasek3656]

Happy to hear it is helping!

[@mariqtereza]

Loving what you're doing guys.
I would love a video like this on phase , specifically on layered guitars.

[@IakuaPunKaRecords]

I found the part about limiting voice very interesting. Do you have a video focusing on that? Thanks a lot for your tips

[@FergbotGames]

YOU SHALL NOT PASS

[@cesarox769]

This is finalment, on the video and the simplifer is make for a Compression. Video 1, and Two.

[@gutpileman]

I was told not to use limiters on trans tracks. I see that was wrong. I will have to give this a try Thanks Joel.

[@bronson1392]

Excellent, but what is it your doing with the out ceiling?

[@Yanthungbemo]

So how do I decide if I need a limiter or compressor on a track??

[@MattSulfur]

maybe a tutorial about multi-band compression ?? :)

[@CJBurkey]

THAT WAS SAOSIN
I KNEW IT!!

[@heavymetalmixer91]

A question: In which situations (at least for you) is better to use a limiter instead of a compressor?
Btw, I usually just use limiters to control some annoying peaks. Sometimes I preffer to use a dynamic EQ if the peaks are only in certain frequencies.

[@BrofUJu]

Limiters are generally great if you're really trying to get an incredibly similar dynamic out of an instrument, a bass drum is a great example. Sometimes on toms it can be helpful, sometimes I'll use a quad one just to zero in on the low end frequencies of a bass as well to get it super consistent in the bottom end.

[@joelwanasek3656]

I use limiters to make things sound more aggressive and controlled. Compressors I like to think "average things" or create movement in sounds. Limiters pack them in tight and keep them perfectly in place. Hope this helps!

[@charlesdanx8807]

Hey Joel. And What about clipping? Know it's not compression, technically. But it's also a powerfull tool to get stems ready for ultimate loudness. What's your point about that (limiting vs clipping)? Cheers bud

[@joelwanasek3656]

Think of clipping as chopping off everything above the clipping point. I love it for drums because it brings the body closer to the transient. Makes things sound more aggressive.

[@Hekkin]

L1 GANGGGG

[@wongsanggar]

So what's its difference with clipping? Are they both just the same?

[@URMAcademy]

They’re different- has to do with the way they treat the signal that’s over the threshold (compressing it vs basically chopping it off)