AF018 - Dynamics Processing Part 2

Audio Fundamentals Course, Episode 18.

I'm working to post one of these every week. Please feel free to leave feedback, questions, suggestions, related experience, requests for subjects to cover, etc. I can't promise I'll respond to them all individually but I will read all comments.

Curriculum by Stephen Solum and Matt Mayfield.
Music composed and performed by Matt Mayfield.
Presentation, text, graphics, and sound examples by Matt Mayfield except where otherwise indicated.

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• Category

  Education

[Tom Riviere]

Really good tutorial on compression.

[LoudnessWar]

Thanks!

[officialrecuest]

Yes, I am up to date with your vids!! :D

Hope there will be a part 3 on this as I would be really interested in learning how a gate works :)

[LoudnessWar]

Your hopes have been fulfilled! Though it's not as in-depth because I'm out of town working from a laptop.

[Tristan Toxique]

I know this series is mostly focused on informing of how things work- But I'm curious as to how one develops an ear for knowing when to use dynamics processing.

Right now, I rarely access my dynamics processing. I'll use a limiter if my audio has a peak or two out of the blue (usually due to the weird characters of my Roland Gaia's resonance), and if my overall track is clipping perhaps compress something like a snare to keep the transient but reduce gain.

Otherwise, I'm a bit clueless.

[LoudnessWar]

It's certainly complex, and in my experience it's a never-ending process of learning. I'm not near the level of a pro engineer who's worked on mixes full-time for years, but in my own songs I default to not using much dynamics unless I have a feeling that something needs it. That instinct is built up, I think, by constantly listening very closely to lots of recorded music and experimenting to get similar results.

[officialrecuest]

Just watched it.. It was perfect! The concept is crystal clear, thanks so much!

[Berkay Öztürk]

THIS IS WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!!! Thanks man, i subscribed! :)

[Michael Mitchum]

Best compression tutorials I have ever seen.

[sephmefo]

What drum sample kit are you using here?

[Juha Petteri Niemi]

I think this was the first time I really understood how to use a compressor. Thank you very much for this.

[Owminator]

Never thought of using a compressor to INCREASE the dynamic range of a specific sound. Absolutely love these videos, thank you so much for making them!