How do I use compression on vocals?
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Vocal compression is used to 'level out' a performance, ensuring that quiet words aren't lost and loud peaks don't jump out of the mix. The goal is consistency and presence, allowing the vocal to sit firmly on top of the instrumental.
- 1.Set a moderate ratio between 2:1 and 4:1 to maintain a natural dynamic range while controlling peaks.
- 2.Adjust the threshold until you see 3dB to 6dB of gain reduction during the loudest parts of the performance.
- 3.Set a medium attack (10-30ms) to let the consonants cut through, and a fast-to-medium release (50-150ms) so the compressor resets before the next word.
- 4.Apply Makeup Gain to bring the overall level of the vocal back up to its original volume in the mix.
- ×Over-compressing can bring up 'ess' sounds (sibilance) and background room noise.
- ×Too fast an attack time will 'clamp' the vocal, making it sound dull and muffled.
- ×Avoid excessive gain reduction in a single stage; if you need 10dB of reduction, use two compressors in a row doing 5dB each.
Use 'Parallel Compression' (blending a heavily compressed signal with the dry one) to add thick energy to a vocal without destroying its natural performance peaks.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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