What is 2-bus compression?
A compressor designed primarily to process stereo mixes in a console’s or DAW’s 2-bus. 2-bus compressors are used to control overall dynamics, to raise the average level of a mix, and to sonically “glue” the mix together into a cohesive whole.
How do you adjust compression on a bus?
How to Set a Mix Bus Compressor: In Detail
- Start with a slow attack (maybe 50-100ms) and fast release (maybe 0.2 to 1.0ms).
- Set your ratio to anywhere between 1.5:1 and 4:1.
- Ultimately, you’ll want to bring down the threshold so you’re that you’re compressing by anywhere from 1-4 dB during the loudest sections.
Where should I set my compression threshold?
You could set the threshold just beneath the signal’s peaks. That way you compress only the loudest parts of the signal. This can be useful in a situation where a snare drum track has a mixture of accents and ghost notes. The threshold can be set so that the compressor applies gain reduction only to the accented notes.
What should my compression threshold be?
Settings between 1.5:1 and 10:1 are the most common. A lower first number in your ratio will give you gentle compression you might apply to an entire mix, while a higher first number will give you an intense squashing effect.
What is bus compression?
Bus Compression is the act of using a compressor on the master output to create a uniform sound for the entirety of a mix or master. Bus compression is often used in mixes and masters to create a cohesive and overarching timbre for the recording.
What is VCA compression?
VCA Compression This is arguably the most commonly used compressor phenotype in the corporeal universe. It tends to sport all the controls you’re used to seeing (attack, release, threshold, ratio, and sometimes knee). VCA stands for “Voltage Controlled Amplifier,” a type of mechanism found in many musical applications.
Should I use mix bus compression?
Adding a small amount of compression to your mix bus chain can take your mixes to another level. When done correctly it can add more excitement and cohesiveness as it controls the dynamics of the mix. It helps to “glue” your tracks together. You don’t even need a special compressor to do it!
Should mix bus compression be done in mixing or mastering?
Many would argue that applying compression to the entire mix is a job meant for the experienced mastering engineer. Although the latter is true, it is also true that mix bus compression before mastering is a common technique among many notable mix engineers.
What is mix bus compression?
Mix bus compression is the act of adding compression to your entire mix. The mix bus is another name for the output of your DAW. It’s the channel that all of the audio from a session flows into. Depending on the software, it’s also called the master bus or stereo bus.
What is bus compression and how do I use it?
Bus compression is the method of applying compression to your master output channel while you are working on the mix. Most commonly, the compressor is set up early on in the project. It sits on the master bus and you mix into it. Bus compression is also sometimes called “mix bus compression”, “master bus compression” or “2-bus compression”.
How much bus compression should you add to Your Mix?
Mix bus compression gets added to the entire mix, so subtlety is the key here. You don’t want the compressor to act too aggressively. In general, a 2:1 ratio is enough. Sometimes, even a 2:1 is too much.
What is the best bus compressor for mix bus compression?
There’s no special bus compressor that will do the magic for you. All you need is your DAW’s stock compressor. That said, there will be a time when upgrading to a better compressor will help you take your mix bus compression to the next level. Analog compressors add a certain “color” to the sound that can be very pleasing to the ear.
Where does the compressor sit on the bus?
Most commonly, the compressor is set up early on in the project. It sits on the master bus and you mix into it. Bus compression is also sometimes called “mix bus compression”, “master bus compression” or “2-bus compression”. They all mean the same thing.