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  • Using compression

    F
    F

    Hello,

    I have Vienna Suite, should I use compression on EVERY instrument channel of my mix? Being more of a composer/arranger, and definitely not a mix engineer, I feel like since Vienna Suite has factory presets, I should use them. 

    Thanks!
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    last edited
    last edited

    Hi there,

    as the guy who created most of those presets I think I'm allowed to say that you should use them as much as necessary, but only as little as possible. 😉

    Compression is a very capable and a very dangerous tool at the same time. It can bring coherence and excitement to single tracks, or the feeling of "energy" to complete mixes, but it can also utterly destroy all good and important dynamics (or simply do nothing) when used without care, some basic understanding and a bit of experience in actually perceiving its effects.

    In short: Use those compressor presets as soon as you get the feeling that an instrument misses some kind of conclusiveness, or exhibits the occasional rogue note. But DON'T feel obliged to use Vienna Suite's Compressor just because I made a preset with a seductive name for it. 😉

    ... processing the dynamics of an audio signal is a vast topic, much too substantial to be covered exhaustively in a little forum message. Luckily, there should be lots of information available on the 'net, nowadays, e.g. this primer.

    All the best,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • F
    F

    Thank you, Dietz 
  • J
    J

    I second what Dietz said

    I use Compression to bring out a solo performance from the rest of the mix (orchestra) or parallel compression for percussion tracks. There are other uses but if you find yourself having to compress every track then there's probably something wrong with your mix. 

    The nice thing about the Vienna Suite Compressor is that it doesn't color the sound. Unless of course you want to color it.  Most compressors that come with DAWs tend to color the signal which could make a Bb Trumpet sound more like a Cornet or something in between. 

    Also, don't forget about the limiter.  In recent times I find myself using the limiter more than the compressor especially for orchestrated works.  Just experiment a little.