Things You'll Need:
- Solid State Logic FX384 Master Bus Quad Compressor
- AMS Neve 2254 Master Bus Compressor
- Or any stereo compressor
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Step 1
Mixing Through the Compressor
As most of my website readers and my listeners know I mix-through-the-compressor from the very beginning. I first got introduced to this by legendary mixer Andy Wallace.
The reason for this, and especially with the SSL FX384 Master Bus Quad Compressor or Bus Compressor is that it will not interfere with your stereo image, as it would have when you'd inserted it at the end of the mix. But the biggest advantages over inserting a compressor at the end of the mix is that you will be able to create a very big sounding mix very quick. You don't need much automation which will save you a lot of time at the end of the day and on top of that your individual instruments don't need that much compression as it would the other way round. It will bring the mix together significant faster and the mix has way more punch already starting with only the kick drum, snare and bass. However keep in mind that after you set leveling for lead vocal and backing vocals/ harmonies, kick drum, snare drum, and bass; mute the bass' channel simply cause it has too much energy to mix in the other elements properly and unmute the bass at nearly the end of the mix and scalp it in with the rest of the mix. In other words: you'll adapt the bass to the mix and not the other way round, this makes your life a lot easier.
This trick works extreme wonders for music that require a lot of low end and rhythm or aggressive music styles such as rock music.
Please note that if you are not familiar with mixing with a compressor on the mix bus at all, this requires some practice as the dynamics don't react in a way you expect them to do. -
Step 2
Compressor' starting settings:
Ratio: 2:1 (on FX384), 1:5.1 (on 2254)
Attack: 10ms
Release: Set to BPM Speed using the formula: 60,000 / BPM Speed.
Gain Reduction: 1-3dB -
Step 3
Mix Bus Compressor at the End
Inserting a compressor at the end of the mix usually makes your stereo image a bit smaller than it was before you inserted the compressor. You'll be able to create a bigger sound, however you need to go back and forth a lot to make a few changes to make it work. This technique requires a lot more work than the one explained above. -
Step 4
Compressor' starting settings:
Ratio: 2:1 (on FX384), 1:5.1 (on 2254)
Attack: 10ms
Release: Set to BPM Speed using the formula: 60,000 / BPM Speed.
Gain Reduction: 2dB -
Step 5
No Mix Bus Compression
Some mix engineers use this technique. You won't expect what I'm about to say:
This technique can truly sound AMAZING! But this technique requires an awful lot of time which nowadays most of us can't afford unfortunately.
This technique will create a very open and airy sound and will work very well on slow jams and pop ballads. It will have more dynamics and more depth and subtlety which otherwise would've been lost when put through a compressor from the start.
