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Mix Bus Glue – Compression Ratio
I typically produce Top 40 music (R&B/Pop/Hip Hop), and I’ve always mixed into a compressor on my master bus at a 2:1 ratio with 2-3 DB Gain Reduction because I feel like it leaves the music more open and dynamic, but I’ve recently been using a 4:1 ratio with 2-3 DB Gain Reduction to give it more glue and it seems more “radio ready” to my ears.
What are your suggestions when setting the ratios for your mix bus? What differences do you hear by setting a higher ratio versus a lower one in terms of a full mix?
I’d be interested to hear any tricks, tips, suggestions, or insights on this!
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7 Replies
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@Bigchrizzle comin strong with the great questions again! Love this. I definitely do not have specific ratios or other compression settings I always use for mix bus glue. But what I do have is a method for deciding on settings which I’d be happy to demonstrate via video!
If you (or anyone else here!) are interested in that lemme know and I’ll either record a demo or schedule a livestream or member zoom. Great topic!
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Hahahaha!
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Yes sir! I would love to see a video on this!
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I think we may find out that Dana will put more importance on the attack and release times of the compressor than the ratio. Too quick an attack time and the transients won’t get through leaving your music unnaturally squished. Too slow an attack time and the result will lean toward not processing the signal enough. Those sub millisecond settings available on some devices are dangerously sharp. I find the 40-50 millisecond attack time more transparent and therefore, to my ear, more musical. The longer release times of 100 (ish) milliseconds seem to compliment the 40-50 millisecond attack times allowing more control (gain reduction) but not at the expense of audibility. My recent forays into moving away from stock settings has informed my opinions. Your mileage may vary.
PT
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Hey Paul,
I agree with you 100%. I typically keep an SSL Style Bus Compressor (I really like the new bx_Glue, but I’ve used the SSL Bus Comp 2, and BX Townhouse, depending on what I’m working on) on my Production/Mix Bus at all times. I like it having that Glued/Finished Sound.
My starting point settings are typically 2:1, Attack 10 ms (Got to let in my transients), Auto Release, with 2-4 DB Gain Reduction
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Woomp, there it is! Hope you fabulous “stooges” can join us!
mixprotege.com
👂 How To Dial In Perfect Compression Settings By Ear
Come hang with Dana and your fellow Mix Protégé community members as we talk compression - specifically (but not limited to) stereo bus compression!
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