Knowing when or when not to reach for the compressor is just as important as knowing how to dial in the best settings. Here in our guide we explore some of the common pitfalls engineers must navigate to get the best out of their gear.
How To Use Two Compressors To Control And Shape Vocals
With all ears on the song’s vocal, using compression can be used to control levels, but also to shape voices creatively. Here we show you different ways to use two stages of processing to get the sound.
7 Audio Plugins I Can’t Live Without In 2024
Engineers can find themselves leaning on a small band of trusted tools that earn their keep, mix after mix. Despite an almost endless list of options out there, everybody has theirs; here Luke talks about the tools that he turns to nearly every day.
7 Compressors For Any Flavour In The Mix
When it comes to injecting character into the mix, compressors can play a pretty big role when they’re not being used for plain old dynamic control. Here we share our pick of classic devices and some legends-in-waiting for some tasty mix infusions and more.
How Many Times Should You Compress In The Mix?
With track compression, submix compression, and treatments across the entire mix all useful tools, engineers often compress more than once, but when is it needed, and why? We shine a light on dynamic dealings for your mix.
Why Are You Compressing Your Mix?
in this article Dom Morley asks What are you using compression for? He hopes you’ll have a completely different approach to compression in about five minutes. Read on and we’ll see…
PSP Audioware AuralComp Multichannel Compressor - First Look
Mark Gittins, sound engineer and owner of Dolby certified Atmos studio Sensound, found he was missing a good 9.1.6 capable compressor in his set-up. Does he think PSP Audioware’s AuralComp multichannel compressor can fill the void?
Why McDSP CompressorBank Has Stood The Test Of Time
Although many audio plugin compressors offer a hard choice between classic analogue flavours or digital precision, some can blend the two to the music’s advantage. Here we show you the difference between classic compressor types and how to get their sounds.
We Check Out McDSP 6034 Ultimate Multi-band
Living in its own virtual lunchbox, 6034 Ultimate Multi-band is McDSP’s dynamics toolkit offering original designs and old favourites too. With so many multiband processors out there, what if anything does it do differently? We find out…
New SSL G3 MultiBusComp - Expert Review
SSL’s brand new G3 MultiBusComp sets out to deliver addictive glue, punch and gloss with one key difference: multiband operation. Promising the G-comp experience for traditionalists, plus turbo-charged bus shaping for everyone else, here we get the Experts’ verdict in our exclusive first-look review.
Classic Compressor Choice - What And Why?
In this article Julian considers why he favours emulations of classic compressors for certain duties and if its about the limitations which give its character, why not try an alternative with it’s own set of characteristics rather than the flexibility of a modern all digital design?
Multiband Compression - Handle With Care?
In this article Julian considers the merits of the multiband compressor. How much do we use them and when we do, what for?
We Take A First Look At Waves Scheps Omni Channel 2
The release of Scheps Omni Channel 2 sees a number of new features added to the strip of one of audio’s best known grandees. We check out its sound and the things that promise to make Andrew Scheps’ go-to even better.
Wave Arts MultiDynamics 7 - We Take A First Look
Wave Arts’ recently updated MultiDynamics 7 extends the company’s dynamics toolbox with new features that aim to outrun the competition. What can it do that the others don’t? We put it to work on our mix to find out…
Black Lion Seventeen 500 Announced - What The 1176 Could Have Been
Black Lion audio has announced Seventeen 500, a hardware take on what they think the 1176 could have been. We have the details.
Chandler Limited RS660 Tested - We Check Out Real Mojo In A Box
While audio plugins can be indiscernible from the real thing, for some the only way to get mojo is to get some electrons moving… With some seriously impressive parentage, we check out Chandler Limited’s RS660 valve compressor.
We Try Mixing With AI Plugins - Listen To The Result
AI audio plugin ‘helpers’ in the mix continue to divide opinion among the pro audio community. Claiming to distil years of human experience into simple tools, we decided to see if pressing one button on a trio of audio plugins really can deliver…
5 Reasons Why Pros Still Use Analogue Gear
Despite the plethora of incredible audio plugins out there, a number of pro engineers (and many aspiring ones) continue to use real gear in the mix, but why is this? We explore the reasons why some continue to fly the analogue flag.
Compressor Release Settings - How Fast Is Too Fast?
Distortion can be a tell tale sign of an inappropriate compressor release time. This is just one of the reasons why release is probably the third most important parameter on your compressor, after threshold and ratio. We find out more.
Flux Audio EVO Series Pack Expert Review
Differentiating between similar audio plugins can be hard, however some aim to bring something new. Bringing both familiar and unique audio plugins into one place, we put Flux Audio’s suite of tools to the Experts to see if it really is different.