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What is the technicality behind bass compression?
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jekvan
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 02:08:41
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So,I often read here that people often compress their bass,if its not "good" enough.
My question is,what exactly is wrong with bass that can be corrected with compression,and what is the technicality behind that correction?
What is the difference between compressed and non compressed bassline?I played with compression on bassline,and I can't hear much difference ...thats mainly because I was just tweaking buttons instead of getting to understanding of my actions)...
So,yea....thy question has been asked  . |
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Locrian
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 03:52
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Personally I can't see any reason to compress synth basses. Aside from sidechain compression that is. As you have "perfect" control over the synths already through the programming. Most of the time when people compress things they seem to have not programmed it right from the start.
A psychoacoustic explanation is also possible. When two sounds are compared the louder one generally "wins". When compressing a signal you raise the mean volume in comparasion to the top levels. This makes the compressed bass sound sound louder and therefore "better". When compared at similar levels(that is they sound equally loud) I've never found anything sounding better from compression.
The compressor is best used for it's intended purpose, to even out uneven audio files, and even then it can be better with gain riding/automation. A compressor, though the basic principles are easy, are very complex in how the affect sound psychoacoustically. That is, how we actually hear the result of them. This makes them hard to use properly.
That's my two cents at least.
 http://soundcloud.com/locrian/tracks |
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Pagan
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 07:42
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I agree with Locrian here.
I play bass guitar, and there are sometimes huge differences in volumes between notes. Which is why a compressor is helpfull.
But with synth basses, you can control that just with note velocities. So compressing it for me is the lazy way around things.
www.soundcloud.com/za-pagan
Its beer appreciation month.
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 08:02
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To fine tune transient to body relationship, making it more plucky (more than the synth env allow) or more boomy.
Some compressors also color sound so it can get nice buzz just from going into the unit. |
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derekryan
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 09:50
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Quote:
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On 2011-02-22 03:52, Locrian wrote:
As you have "perfect" control over the synths already through the programming. Most of the time when people compress things they seem to have not programmed it right from the start. |
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Assuming that we're dealing with exactly one instrument generating the bass sound, and no additional effects processing, that's true.
However, if you start doing things like introducing distortion, or modulation fx (unison, etc) you can end up with a bit of unpredicatiblity in the final volume of the sound no matter how you've programmed it.
Also, if you want to split your bass sound into mid and low freq bands and process separately, or are using multiple instruments to create the final sound, using a compressor can really help gel things together and make them sound like they're coming from the same place... |
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supergroover
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 11:13
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As Aciduss said: it can be used to color the sound.
soundcloud.com/supergroover |
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orgytime
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 11:17
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daark
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 11:50
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RULE #1 --->NEVER COMPRESS YOUR BASS
RULE #2 --->NEVER DISTORT YOUR BASS
RULE #3 --->NEVER SATURATE YOUR BASS
RULE #4 --->NEVER ENCHANCE YOUR BASS(RBASS etc.)
RULE #5 --->NEVER LOW CUT THE BASS
How about synthesizing a bass that would sound fit in your song, not as loud as hell only a good sounding solid base that is doing the bassline part?
http://soundcloud.com/magimix-1/chilling-forest-whispers
Wierd shit happens :) |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 11:57
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Quote:
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On 2011-02-22 11:50, daark wrote:
RULE #1 --->NEVER COMPRESS YOUR BASS
RULE #2 --->NEVER DISTORT YOUR BASS
RULE #3 --->NEVER SATURATE YOUR BASS
RULE #4 --->NEVER ENCHANCE YOUR BASS(RBASS etc.)
RULE #5 --->NEVER LOW CUT THE BASS
How about synthesizing a bass that would sound fit in your song, not as loud as hell only a good sounding solid base that is doing the bassline part?
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Who came up with these rules?
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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orgytime
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 12:21
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daark
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 13:24
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It is for u to remember that in the mix part the bass should not be as killargh as it should after the mastering so if you squish during the mix process when you reach the mastering you'll probably have to uncompress the low end than to compress it. AND for many more reasons !!! Less is more 
There is no reason to compress a good sounding bass in the mix stage unless you are feeling experimental the other reasonS could be your bass sound is: shit, a mess or a weak fart. All of the above gave me bad results and after i started using cleaner basses i think it improved a lot even if it sometimes sounds like you made a killer bass using multiband limiter the final result is eeeeeh WRONG!
If youre feeling gay be my guest you know what to do
but don't expect me to listen to distortion all night long if i'll want that i'll go to a happy hardcore rave or a rock concert.
http://soundcloud.com/magimix-1/chilling-forest-whispers
Wierd shit happens :) |
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woodster77
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 13:24
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i was wondering why psy music hasnt changed in years
thanks for clearing that up for me
rules.........
i think gudelines would be better
°°°ACTS 4:12°°°° |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 13:30
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Quote:
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On 2011-02-22 13:24, daark wrote:
It is for u to remember that in the mix part the bass should not be as killargh as it should after the mastering so if you squish during the mix process when you reach the mastering you'll probably have to uncompress the low end than to compress it. AND for many more reasons !!! Less is more
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Is someone telling you all this stuff or are you making it up on your own?
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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Get-a-fix
Getafix
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 13:51
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The only rule is that there are no rules. If it sounds good it is good. There are endless techniques to reach good results, so whatever works for you.
As for daarks 5 rules, i think i pretty much go against all of them and am happy with how my bass sounds.
http://www.soundcloud.com/getafixmusic |
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daark
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 22, 2011 13:52
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By rules i mean cause and effect physics laws and stuff like that tools ot guidelines whatever you call it
Of course i learned it. DH
Take a sine and compress it? The only change you can make is to make it square and add harmonics to it or adding some vol envelope to it so why not using one?
There is no quite sounds in the bass sounds i would like to bring up or to bring down.
Bass sound is all about vol env filter env and timbre and stability of the bass all the rest super bass enchancment is just crapping the sound IMHO.
SO why should i compress it or hp it in the mix i have no idea...I have another way of making things.
That is just my view.
you can make your own experiment and hear for yourself and make your own judgements.
All the best
Yes there is no rules if you like your bass to be a saw with rbass on you can make it just don't forget to export it if you r using more than one note just know that it will experience pitch shifting all the way.
Everything is sound http://soundcloud.com/magimix-1/chilling-forest-whispers
Wierd shit happens :) |
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