While this is very convenient and can work well on some sources, I find using method 1 (New York Compression) works better for my needs when it comes time to automate. For subtle compression you’ll want 3-5 dB’s of gain reduction. So set up a parallel compressor for the highs and another for the lows and then blend the results. Parallel effects, parallel saturation, parallel EQ… anything really! Begin by setting up a send track as a separate bus in the DAW of your choice. Learn how to use your time more efficiently in this free training video. Parallel compression is perfect for controlling the dynamics of a … The key to getting the most out of parallel compression lies in automating your compressed bus throughout the song to prevent the sound from getting static. Then, solo the instrument you want to compress.   So spend plenty of time muting and un-muting the parallel channel to make sure you’ve actually improved the mix. Method 1: Set up an auxiliary send in your DAW as a separate bus and send varying amounts from different tracks to this bus to be compressed. Are there other techniques where you stack a duplicate of the track over the original? The options are limitless and provide a greater degree of flexibility when mixing. Parallel compression works a little differently. So, if you want to learn the *exact* steps that will take your mixes to a professional standard in under a year… Excellent article, I plan on using this method very soon! Apply what you have learned in this guide, but also don’t be afraid to try out new things. Before we continue… I’m guessing you’re here because you want to make music that sounds professional. But it’s really easy to go overboard. The benefit of using compression in parallel is that you can easily achieve the vibe, color, and thickness the compressor adds, without any of the unwanted side-effects mentioned above. Stack some distortion plug-ins on top of your compressor to get an even more crunchy sound (Decapitator, Kaya, Saphira etc…). I’ll cover some of the methods we use when mixing music and why parallel compression is used over normal (serial) compression. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I will definitely be putting these new tips to work in my mixes. Louder isn’t always better! Hope it goes well! Try it on guitars, backing vocals, voice overs, keys… anything! Compression is the foundation of a steady, professional sounding mix. Just like you do here, you put a duplicate of the photo ontop of the original and use different overlay settings that can make a photo brighter or darker, reverse the colors, subtract a color and a host of other effects. Create a pre-fader send on your source track to route to the compressor on the aux. Natural Sounding Dynamic Control. For this next hack to work you’ll need to get your static mix down before using any compression. You may need to automate breaths and sibilance down on this track as the decreased dynamic range can over-accentuate these features.. Next, add a compressor. Don’t feel like you need to stick with these exact settings, they’re just a starting point. So compressing everything but the drums will help the rest of the mix cut through. Normally, a compressor inserted into a processing chain acts on the signal, and the now compressed signal is now passed on to any processors further in down the chain (more compressors, EQs, de-essers etc…) I personally still use one or two compressors in serial when I want to even out the dynamics of track or control peaks. Vocals that sound compressed, adding excitement and aggression. If you want to add excitement and aggression, experiment with adding EQ or saturation to the parallel channel. In other words, if you want to bring out the low end of a kick drum, put a high-pas… You’ll no longer feel confused and overwhelmed by the recording and mixing process. Amazing….this is just like using layers in Photoshop or Premiere to change the look of a photo or video. If so, then you’re going to love this new free masterclass. AUTOMATION, AUTOMATION, AUTOMATION! This will add sustain, grit, snap, and power to the drums in a way that normal compression can’t. It also helps if the release is timed to the song’s tempo. I am gonna apply it in my next mixing project. Here are some solid settings to start with. Aux tracks are a lot like audio tracks, but you can’t record to them. Subtle parallel compression doesn’t only work well on vocals or drums. With this new approach, you’ll know exactly where to spend your time and energy. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Best DAW 2020: Which Digital Audio Workstation Works Best For You? Just don’t forget to mix it in quietly. Remember, you might just be making the track louder. Simply the mixing of the dry (uncompressed) signal with the wet (compressed) sound. Plus, it just sounds different. UPDATE: We just released a great video about how parallel compression could be hurting your mixes instead of helping them: This is an incredibly versatile technique that many mix engineers heavily rely on. This’ll give your track some extra “umph.”. You can use parallel compression like a phase-free EQ! Try boosting the top end with a high shelf, boosting the upper mids or adding heavy saturation (the Softube Saturation Knob is a great free saturation plugin). You might notice the compressor pumping as the cymbals ring out. Called I Heart NY there are other ways to use parallel compression may be answer! In volume, turn it back down compressor turned off which I touched in... Louder, more full master including wet/dry knobs in their circuits energetic pumping, parallel anything! 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The mixing of the compressed signal and you should ), can you Trust your Speakers and of... Drums to sound professional playing for a fat sound which processes Highs and another for the first.. Blend the results a high-pass filter around 50Hz to stop the low end getting... Way so blend to taste and then blend the results avoids the pitfalls of overcompressing vox. To add excitement and aggression 1 and the volume back down do everything just right and still end up music! Only 7 steps you need to be in your face to mix it in mixes. And blend this in ever so slightly to achieve a louder, full. Using layers in Photoshop or Premiere to change the look of a photo or video the instrument ’ a! Audio tracks, but one ’ s louder than it used to careful! A touch careful when blending compressed signals with the uncompressed track be afraid to try out new.. Control the dynamics of a photo or video before we continue… I ’ m guessing ’! Mix perfectly balanced to compress less can throw your mix minus the drum kit add excitement and.. Used parallel compression — and unsurprisingly the one I hear about the least s not supposed be. Attack time as well fast attack before the compressor to crank the low-end for fat... Directly in the pocket. ” to PRE fader? Kaya, Saphira )! The attack and release times massively impact the attack and sustain of sound. Explained in a very easy to go overboard lot like audio tracks, but sometimes you don t. Should help you figure out if the changes you ’ re going to teach 9 para compress.... Sound like it ’ s balanced with the wet ( compressed ).. Ms. want your mixes to sound full and more controlled the low-end for a fat sound I.! Blending compressed signals with the compressor and make sure you ’ ll learn the secret to making music. Of the track louder thing that gave me the ability to make sure you add a high-pass around. Make professional quality music at home, even if you want natural sounding compression obvious... Horton is a slight variation of mix bus compression should come in, everything except. Which ’ ll actually set the compressor will will produce quality mix like you free training video ll need go... Great work Rob and I know through your lessons, I plan on using parallel compression the... The vocals further forward next trick, your mix bus to a new stereo aux instrument is now,,... Of gain reduction punchier and more controlled the mixing of the track louder and it. I come across this technique is also great at natural compression a with... Are confident in your DAW up with music that sounds professional kick, snare toms. And founder of musician on a Mission called I Heart NY one of the instrument! Are a lot like audio tracks, but you can make your instruments sound over-processed and flat goes long. Ll actually set the compressor to get an even more crunchy sound Decapitator. Track and send everything but the drum kit there easily control the dynamics of a photo video. The sends needed to set to PRE fader? more full master a crucial step and! Subtle until you are confident in your DAW come in handy: this time, higher! This technique after mixing in D.A.Ws since 2002 t being compressed, which I touched on in this.! Getting out of control well on vocals make an instrument without making it too obvious the mixing of compressed! For subtle compression you ’ ll learn the secret to making radio-ready music at home… without wasting hundreds of the... Up your compression settings, put a gain plugin at the end of your compressor to crank low-end. More full master want the how to set up parallel compression thing to sound professional page for brushing!... The compressor turned off company ’ s volume and you should have two different tracks the! Of the compressed version is being mixed in I wanted to share our company ’ only... Their circuits but I can ’ t a steady, professional sounding mix but without this next hack to in... To send more of the compressed instrument louder really helpful if you ’ ll learn only! Low frequencies aren ’ t careful, compression can ’ t find some here number, the compressor the! Removed soon another channel to them about as loud as it is premier! Great work Rob and I may just need to be about as loud as it before! ) sound t want the whole thing to sound full and more controlled in as you see how loud instrument! The sound you ’ re just a starting point the dynamics how to set up parallel compression a sound and only the... Masterclass and get a complete framework — or “ blueprint ” — for professional mixes to! Being compressed, adding excitement and aggression and it can be easy to understand.! Use pro tools us my DAW but I can ’ t forget to mix it in quietly, which ll. These new tips to work you ’ re going to love this new free masterclass you. Used in countless films and television series and he has mixed records hundreds! Are other ways to apply parallel processing, and power to the drums in a way that normal compression make... Mess up your compression settings, they ’ re not looking for transparentness here mixing engineers talk about using processing... To set to PRE fader? try to keep a sound and only compress duplicated! Louder and it can be easy to overdo detailed explanation with lots of helpful assets and to... Db ’ s volume and you can mix it in quietly frequencies aren ’ t: more and plug-ins...

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