I was experimenting with using multiple compressors for snare drum hit samples in renoise and was wondering if there are other techniques out there to employ the purposeful and unique distortion qualities of the two.
Mainly for the compressor dsp I was trying to amplify the punch (the fatter part of the sound) at somewheres between 5-7:1 which I found gave it a sort of a fuzz in the release (but not too much). Then with the maximizer giving it more of an upper end snap. I was looking for, sonically, more of a ‘slap’ type of sound to emphasize the snare. Now that I think about it, I guess this could also apply to some nice clap sounds as well.
After not being able to decide if either of the dsp’s created a ‘pleasant’ sound I tried tweaking the combo… it seems to produce a nice effect.
Has anyone else tried something similar? Am I waay off base here? I’ve been learning as much as I can about compression techniques and I have admittedly not fully grasped it yet.
I can add my exact settings or dsp chain here later when I get home.
I don’t know if I’m completely understanding what you’re looking for in that part, but you can try using an equalizer and bump up the high end a little. That might achieve what you’re looking for.
One thing (in case you haven’t noticed) about compressors is that they reduce the dynamics of a track (and if they’re misused, they can destroy it)
One thing I found recently is that release settings on a compressor are really important for a clearer sound. I use to overlook the release settings.
But as for maximizer and compressor combinations… I like to stick a maximizer before the compressor on the DSP chain. I find it really squeezes more out of ur beats… Makes them sound really tough. ;D
And if u find that its not loud enough then what I usually do is render the beats and then bring them back into renoise, stick them on a channel with a maximizer and bring up the volume.
I like to keep things simple as possible. I don’t know if there is that much effect on using several compressors unless they work for different frequenct bands anyways. I would try to make it work with eq and comp and maybe filter to cut frequencies that are not needed. Sometimes it might be good idea to try another sample / instrument or layers several to get it just right.
I recommend to remove all frequencies you don’t need. For example, in the final mix i usually add filter to cut out low frequencies from every channel. Depends on material on track how low i set it. That clearify the mix and allows to give more volume and punch to it.
Eq works quite nice too. You can over use some frequencies because comp will “smooth” them out.
Hmmm I see what u mean by clarity. an example would be alot of old breakbeats taken from records tend to have loads of mid-low in there. so making a slight cut around this area will allow other frequencies to cut through rather than being dominant in the mid-low. I like to try and achieve a “flat” kind of sound. A more balanced sound.
Yes, to bring up particular instrument, good trick is to cut the dominant frequencies of that instrument from other tracks. Final mix is combination of all elements and making particular instrument sound good it doesn’t mean that it works well with the other tracks. When tracks mix together, their tone might sound different than alone.
Cutting the frequencies you don’t need will give more air and balance and gives the priority and punch to elements that counts.
Nice multiband compressor is good tool if you know how to use it. Compressors in general are tricky things cause you can ruin good mix easily if you don’t know how to use them. In the other hand, if you do, you can give that final touch. I am not an expert but i have some idea how to use them. It’s quite rare that i use multiband comp other than master track.
Yeah I’m still learning about compressors, EQ harmonics and stuff like that. I found that its good to cut a little from the mids on the drums to give it a nice crisp sound. Also doing this allows more room for synth leads yess? Although some people swear on EQing mids up on drums because it give it more “dancefloor power” But that all depends on where the punch is on the frequency spectrum I think? Like with the amen break there seems to be more high end punch than low end. So EQing up any low frequencies seems pointless in this instant. But then again im quite a beginner
I don’t use that much loops or long samples. Some for the drums tho. I like more writing music with instruments instead of samples and loops. It makes the mixing more simple that way. Drums for example, i mix them normally in 3 different dsp chains. One for bass/kick, hihats and crashes and one for the snares and claps. Maybe one track for percussion and/or toms too.
I learned this from a friend that hihats shouldn’t be mixed that loud, for two reasons. Too loud hihats take away the punch from the other drums and that hihats can take too much focus away from other elements.
I’ve been trying the Compressor before the Maximizer. I’ll have to try it the other way around and see what happens. Thanks for the tip!
Can anyone recommend a good multiband compressor that’s compatible with Renoise?
I never specifically thought of it from the perspective of the strict isolation frequencies. I guess the best way is to just experiment with the EQ as much as possible to see what works. (I’m lovin the 10Band EQ BTW).
Another thing that I found is a useful technique (I may be wrong here) is to EQ and adjust velocities to liking, then lower the velocities across the board by 2-3dB (or what ever amount is applicable) then add gain or use the gainer on the master channel to compensate. Then, start tweaking compression. That way there’s waay more headroom to play with. Tell me what you guys think…
With parametric eq’s you can “scan” for the crap in sound. Just set width value small and then boost the level up. Then you can start sweeping with frquencies from hi to low and find the “crap” in the sound. Parametric eq’s are so much more powerful than regular ones.
Usually 5bands is enough for me. Maybe i’ll just use it more cause the 10band one feel confusing with lot of stuff in it.
One tip: When you are tweaking sounds, you can close your eyes. It helps you to focus to listen and then your decisions are based on your ear, not the values or slider positions.
