Can you really hear what your compressor is doing? In this PureMix exclusive, Fab Dupont returns to the How To Listen Series. This time, It’s the Compression Edition.

Compressors are one of the most valuable tools we have as engineers. Offering us the ability to control dynamics and shape the tone and behaviour of the source material.

Compression Session

Over the course of this 40-minute tutorial, Fab will show you how to:

• Listen to dynamics not only as levels but as frequency changes
• Send elements further back or forward in your mixes to increase depth
• Add consistency to drum performances
• Identify the behavioural differences between famous compressors.

After teaching you how to hear the differences, Fab will give you a quiz, where you will have to identify the difference between 4 popular compressors on Bass Drums, helping you to add the sonic signature of multiple compressor settings and styles to your sonic memory.

Learn techniques and approaches to compressing vocals, drums, and one of the most overused applications for compressors, 2-Bus Compression; from Fab Dupont.

Equipment & Software

• Audio Ease Alitiverb XL
• Avid AutoPan
• Avid BF-76
• Avid EQ3 7-Band
• Avid Lo-Fi
• Avid Trim
• Fab Filter Timeless 2
• McDSP FilterBank F202
• SansAmp PSA-1
• Softube Abbey Road RS127 Box
• Softube Spring Reverb
• Sound Toys Decapitator
• Sound Toys EchoBoy
• U-HE Satin Tape Machine
• UAD 1176 AE
• UAD EL7 FATSO jr
• UAD EMT 140
• UAD Fairchild 670 Legacy

How To Watch The Full Video

This video tutorial is available to Pro PureMix members and can be accessed by signing up to a PureMix subscription for $29 a month.

Sign up to get advanced audio tutorials where Grammy-winning engineers teach you mixing concepts by showing you their techniques and tricks while mixing song by Pharrell, Imagine Dragons, Ziggy Marley and more. 

If you would like to watch more free tutorials you can sign up for free at pureMix or browse the entire pureMix tutorial video library and choose the individual videos that appeal to you.