Adding compression to finished track

[Elessar [Sly]]

In terms of having a track 'finished' and ready to put on a disc with other tracks; what is the best way to approach compressing an overall track. I'm trying NOT to use logic presets for this sort of thing. I know it depends on the track blah blah blah but I could do with a good starting point/ some good pointers about how to approach it all.

[Krunchmeister]

Do you mean as a final mix or will the disc be mastered later? Don't over-compress -its like reverb in that once you do it you're stuck with it. IF there's a lot of different instruments and dynamics then multi-band compression can be very useful. Listen carefully for too much breathing as the phrases change in the tune. Less is more but the right levels can polish a tune up nicely.

[nakedzen]

If this is for getting some mix glue before sending the track for mastering, go really easy on it, max 2 dB gain reduction on peaks (most likely the snare hits).

If you plan on "mastering" it yourself, get Ozone 5, load a preset and tweak from there.

[Cirrus]

Further to nakedzen's post, if you're using it for mix glue, which I think is a very good idea for modern production styles, then you should mix into the compressor right from the the point you get a rough fader-only mix. That was you're using it as a tool and adjusting your mix to sound good with the compression, which adds to your mix by giving you built in punch and groove (when set right).

Putting light compression on after you've done a mix makes less sense to me, what are you trying to achieve?

If you're thinking about heavier compression ie DIY mastering (which is always a compromise at best for psychological reasons) I'd start by comparing your mix to commercial releases you think are similar in style and aiming for them with regards to loudness and dynamic range. If you use compression, keep it as transparent as possible unless you're going for the lofi vibe. a few dB on loud passages, so you're using it just to control the mix's macro dynamics and use the attack+release times to make the mix groove a little bit more. Try compressors that have M/S as well as L/R stereo links - sometimes you can compress the centre more to control the drum and bass energy while leaving the sides relatively untouched to keep the mix sounding open.

Huge generalisation, but limiters are better than compressors for volume boosting without screwing with the internal balance and dynamics of the mix. They screw with the transients instead. So I'd do light control with a compressor, volume increase with a limiter to match your target commercial mixes, then adjust settings as necessary to combat any negative effects your processing has had. You might find an EQ before compressor helps shape the low end or something.

[BlackWolf]

I used T-Racks 3. Awesome plugin with some nice presets.

[JerEvil]

I used T-Racks 3. Awesome plugin with some nice presets.

I use this as well.

[madkeithv]

I tend to use a few DB of gain reduction on the free TLS maximizer.