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Compression abuse on isratrance
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AvS
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
464
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 12:00
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Is it just me or does everyone talk to much about compression? I mean the answer to almost every question in here is "use a compressor".
I say DON'T use a compressor unless there REALLY is no other way of controlling the dynamics! In many casses compression really makes your material sound worse.
90% of psy sounds comes from synths and you have SO much control of the sound. Velocity, envelopes etc. so instead of putting a compressor on a track as the first thing start messing with the synth patch to get the result you want. In the end you will get a more relaxed and pleasent sound.
Just needed to get that off my chest 
Over and out. |
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dtd
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
17
Posts :
490
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 13:04
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you are completely right! i sometimes think the same when i read answers. my explanation for this is that compressors aren't understood well by some, and thus seen as a 'magic' unit doing wonders to sounds, when other means seem to have failed.
 $ exp(j*pi) + 1 = 0. $ |
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Boobytrip
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
988
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 13:14
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Absolutely, same goes for eq, bass-enhancers etc. But since the compressor is apperently the most difficult piece of equipment to understand, most people (including myself a while ago) think that it must be the compressors that make those professional tracks sound so much better than their own tracks. |
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e-motion
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
71
Posts :
933
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 13:48
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well if it sounds better and peaks lower... it's better just do the A/B tests with the channel soloed and inside the mix. don't forget to blind your tests and have both A and B peaking at the same level.
Pyrex :: Traveling without moving
www.myspace.com/pyrexperience |
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Jikkenteki
Jikkenteki
Started Topics :
20
Posts :
356
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 14:19
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I think one reason for all the "compression, eq, filtering, etc" type threads is that is much easier to talk about and work on those sort of things than it is to talk about and work on "making your sounds right for the track". Just like it is easier to talk about the physical features of synths than is it to talk about make makes a good lead melody. Psy production goes in trends and has as long as I've be paying attention to the discussions online (about 6 years now I guess). You had the "cut the unneeded freq." trend when the "thinking inside the box" article came out a few years ago. You had the "mastering trend" (and the resulting "don't dare try mastering unless you are a pro" reaction trend) more recently, now compression seems to be the hot issue. Basically I think all these production trends are just a "new genre" (psy) catching up to the "rest of the world"'s (the professional music industry in general) standard level of knowledge.
I suppose its a good thing. You see less fights about "Cubase is better than XXX" type threads than you did five years ago and more arguements about details in production that might actually matter a little bit, although I will admit I find the herd mentality you see in many artists with these production trends kind of amusing at times. That said, in the grand scheme of things, a bunch of people discussing compression or what not isn't really that much of a serious problem. I'd rather have everyone share their knowledge, up the level of the "common knowledge" database of psy-artists and move on to the next "trend" to digest than read 16 pages in one day about how "Fruity Loops is or isn't a serious program" like it used to be a few years ago.
New Album: Jikkenteki - Flights Of Infinity
Available for free at http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/jikkenteki-flights-of-infinity/
PAR-2 Productions http://www.par-2.com |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 15:56
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i don t know if compression have something to do with that ,but remember the old tracks ,they had a lot more dynamic range and for me albums add a longer life than now,maybe it s the abuse of compression,removing all the life of the sound and who tired the ears ...albums have a short life today except a few one.
STOP THE LOUDNESS WAR ! |
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Zeyon
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
145
Posted : Sep 24, 2006 22:42
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AvS: Try using a comp for your next topic....
//Zeyon. |
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djzed
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
48
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 05:49
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Quote:
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On 2006-09-24 14:19, Jikkenteki wrote:
I think one reason for all the "compression, eq, filtering, etc" type threads is that is much easier to talk about and work on those sort of things than it is to talk about and work on "making your sounds right for the track".
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It's a good point. I think everyone has heard the whole "tweak it till it sounds right" advice ten billion times. And although it's true, no matter what technique you use in the end it's up to you and your ears, I don't think it's very helpful advice. When I'm really struggling to get a certain sound in my track I don't think to myself "oh thats right, I need to play around with the sounds until it sounds right" - i already know that. What I'm trying to do is open my mind up to ways that other people use to get certain sounds. |
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 12:51
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The bad thing about all this is, that psytrance compares a lot over "fatness" and "loudness".
In other words. If there is a choice between a very loud and fat, but rather boring track and a more dynamic but good song, the bigger part of the scene will choose the fat one.
And what does that mean to me as an artist?
To have my music heard, I'm FORCED to be loud, even though it maybe doesn't fit my personal style.
This is not about good production, but only about the loudness and the dynamic range in the end.
Some people seem to think that "good production" equals with "loud production".
But thats only a techno and commercial radio thing.
Listening to many other genres it becomes clear that musicproduction has a lot more attributes than beeing "loud and fat".
Let found a "stop the loudness competition in psytrance" association.!!
And make room for more lively and dynamik music. (which anyway can still sound "fat", if well produced)
Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 14:36
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i agree but loudness don t come with fatness but more with tightness for me,the less compression the more fat the sound is imo. |
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Jikkenteki
Jikkenteki
Started Topics :
20
Posts :
356
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 15:20
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I agree with the fatness factor. I think that what many people fail to realize about "fatness" (or "phatness" as its properly called this week  ) is that not everything can be fat. Fatness is achieved by how to compares to what is surrounding it. If EVERYTHING is fat, you end up with nothing being fat.
New Album: Jikkenteki - Flights Of Infinity
Available for free at http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/jikkenteki-flights-of-infinity/
PAR-2 Productions http://www.par-2.com |
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Dark_Dork
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
26
Posts :
1266
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 15:30
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Indeed!!!
Good point.
Dressed to kill you look so right... I am drunk with lust tonite. |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 17:13
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 18:55
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hehe jikkenteki you say right things.
still, i'm not fully agree with subconsciousmind's statement that someone is forced to do tracks loud or they won't be heard. this is very rough as to me. good tracks are allways noticed by people. those listeners who think that loud is good are not the indicator of good music, nor teir attention is the aim to achive. otherwise one should make silly loud 'dancefloor killaz' for all those drug-dancing lovers. is this a worthy aim?
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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xaBBu
xaBBu
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
161
Posted : Sep 25, 2006 20:35
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Indeed some very interesting opinions in this thread.
imho compressors are surgical tools (as well as most eqs expanders, exciters etc.), and well, a surgeon doesnt cut up open your whole belly if he just wants to remove a mole on your chest, does he ? 
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