My Top 3 Favorite Compressors
Ask any audio engineer in the business and they will tell you that a compressor is the holy grail of audio engineering. It is the pièce de résistance. If I was only allowed to use one piece of equipment or plugin during the mix process, I would undoubtedly choose a compressor above all else. Compressors are what make your vocals sit perfectly in the mix, control the dynamics, and allows you to color the vocals to your liking. In today’s blog I will share with you my top 3 favorite compressors I use in every one of my mixes and masters.
#1. Waves RCompressor
Waves RCompressor
There is a reason I listed the RCompressor first. It is the first compressor I ever used. After testing out so many others, I find the RCompressor to be the best and most underrated. The color and tone that it provides is like no other. If you prefer a dark and warm tone to your vocals, kick, bass, or guitar, look no further than the Waves RCompressor to bring you that specific sound. It is always the first compressor in my vocal chain. I use it to smooth out the texture of the vocal, tame those harsh peaks, and add a nice, warm, thick sound. The attack and release are listed in milliseconds and can be timed perfectly by dividing 60,000 by the BPM of your song. This will give you the precise attack and release allowing your vocals to sit perfectly in the mix. The RCompressor is not only user friendly, but it brings an outstanding quality to your mixes.
#2. Waves C4
Waves C4 Multiband Compressor
The Waves C4 is a multi-band compressor and a secret weapon I use to compress specific frequencies, which gives my vocals an even tone. I personally like to add this right after the RCompressor in my vocal chain and select the “Vocal” or “Pop Vocal” setting in the preset menu. After I enter the attack and release settings , I solo out each individual frequency, starting with the low end. By bringing down the threshold, I use my ears to dictate the perfect amount of compression for that particular frequency range. I bring in each frequency range and repeat the same steps until I’ve compressed the low-mid frequency range enough to sound balanced throughout the frequency spectrum. Next, I move to the high-mid frequency range and then finally the high frequency range, which is normally from the 10kHx - 20kHz range. When I’m done compressing each individual frequency range, I make sure to add or subtract a dB or two of gain to match the same volume level the vocals were at before adding the C4. Do this by turning the C4 on and off to make sure the compressor isn’t making your vocal lose or gain volume.
#3. Waves SSL Compressor
Wave SSL Compressor
There is only one compressor I like to use on my masters and that is the SSL by waves. If you want a big, beefy, punchy compressor that adds body to your track and really glues your vocals and instruments together, the SSL is the compressor for you. This compressor really adds a unique tone, color, and texture to your masters, and it works great on any track, no matter the genre. I start by selecting my favorite preset, the “Mix Bus” setting under the "Steven Lily-white” preset section. I like to customize this a little more to fit my taste by changing the ratio from 4:1 to 2:1 and setting the release to “Auto.” Your masters only need a small amount of compression to capture the peaks of your track, so don’t set your threshold too high. When I’m done, I make sure to bypass the SSL to make sure I am not adding or subtracting volume. The Waves SSL Compressor is sure to make your master's hit hard.
At the end of the day, these are my favorite compressors. Experiment with different compressors to find which fits your specific style and taste. Learning how to use a compressor properly is key to getting the best possible sound. So check out some tutorial videos to learn how to use a compressor properly, and make sure to practice frequently.
