Peak Level Productions

Your point of refence for Audio & Video Pre & Post Poduction needs

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Peak Level Productions - Production Tips 101-03

WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR?

Compression is the procedure that is used to compress the audio signal in order to reduce the louder parts of a signal and “match” them with the softer parts and achieve a more “constant” volume throughout the whole signal source.

Threshold – How loud the signal should be in order for the compressor to start working. If the volume doesn’t touch or surpass the Threshold then we will have no compression at all.

Ratio – How much compression we use. For example, if the Compression Ratio is set at 6:1, then from the 60db that surpass the Threshold we keep only the 10db. If we set the ratio at 2:1 we’ll only keep 10db out of the 20db that will surpass the threshold and so on…

Attack – How fast – in milliseconds – the compressor “catches the signal” that surpasses the Threshold. 30ms Attack means that it will wait 30 Milliseconds and then it will “catch” the signal and start compressing it.

Release – How fast – in milliseconds – the compressor will release the signal after it compresses it and drop it back out of the Threshold. Most of the times the Auto function works properly.

Knee – It’s similar to Attack but not so important that’s why you may not see it on every compressor. Hard Knee means that our compressor will catch the signal aggressively and Soft Knee means that the compressor will catch it smoother and the further-er it surpasses the Threshold.

Make-Up Gain – When we use compression we reduce the signal so we need to get it back to where it was. If we compress 2db then we need to add 2db back.

Gain Reduction (GR) – This is how much db we reduce – Our main aim. Most of the times I find myself using up to -6db. Use more of this and the audio will sound “squashed” and definitely edited and we don’t want the listener to think “something weird is going on here”. If the listener that has no knowledge about recording and music production thinks that something is going on then we definitely didn’t do a good job.

Output – You can increase or reduce the final volume. But since the compressor’s job is not to increase the overall volume.

HOW TO USE A COMPRESSORS.

1. No matter if you use an analog compressor or a VST compressor the setup is almost the same. Open your favorite compressor as an insert on the track that needs a compressor (mono, stereo, bus, group)

2. Adjust the Threshold so that the Peaks (sudden volume changes or “spikes” that need to be reduced) will surpass the Threshold narrowly. Unless you want to compress instruments that there’s no problem if the compressor compresses continuously, for example the bass guitar that can accept a sh*tload of compression cause it needs to be stable throughout the song.

3. Make the Ratio and the Threshold work together. Ratio is purely configured depending on the sound source but here’s some nice starting points:

Bass – 4:1 to 8:1, Drums Group:  2:1, Vocals: 2:1 to 4;1, Electric Guitars: 2:1 to 6:1

The above information are starting points don’t follow them blindly, take the initiative to experiment cause each sound is different.

4. Adjust the Attack and Release buttons, following the guidelines above. If your compressor has an Auto function on your Release button, then use it cause 80% of the situations it’s gonna work right.

But if you mix sounds with crazy peaks (sudden volume changes of the volume level) then you can easily chop off these peaks with really fast attack, even if it’s only 1ms or 3ms.

Use fast attack on Mono Tracks with Instruments/Vocals with sudden peaks and slow attack on Group Tracks, where the compressor here plays the part of  “Glue instruments together” rathen than “Work for a more stable volume between the louder and the quieter parts”.

Always, Keep your ears open and hear the changes that you make!

5. Use the Make-Up Gain to get the volume level back to where it was. The compressor’s role is not to give volume. It is to give back the volume that the compressor reduced so that when we bypass the signal we hear the before and after sound with the same volume level.

If you have for example 6db Gain Reduction then you need to add 6db Make-Up Gain.

6. Make sure the volume levels between the sound with and without the compression to be the same. You may have compressed the signal in an awful way but your ears would think that you did a nice job because of the louder volume. Our ears always think that louder is better.

So for this reason, keep the volume the same NO MATTER IF THE COMPRESSOR IS ENABLED OR DISABLED.

Written By:

Jeff Peaks aka Mr Peak Level

#PeakLevelWitNoDistortions

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Peak Level Productions - Production Tips 101-02

It is common today with most independent rap recording artist that they purchase or record using 2 track beats with producer tags mixed in them. You can find these from many sources such as: Sound Click, YouTube or websites where you listen and download leasable beats from. The common factor about these beats are they have been mixed and mastered as a finished composition. Therefore the artist are stuck with the arrangement and the mix. That means if a sound is too loud or too low in the mix such as kicks, snares, bass, and ect. not much left for a mixing engineer to do to adjust the levels within a 2-Track mix. As a mixing engineer the majority of songs that are sent for the mixing process have these types beats. The common problems with recording with these types of beat are, that there mixed in a manner that leaves no room for the vocal recording process and most independent artist just import the track and try to record over the beat. This causes several issues that can be avoided in the recording process. Let's talk about the issues then the solutions.

ISSUES:

When recording over the mastered beat your recorded vocal level is to Hot or High which causes your vocals to be abrasive and harsh.

Overall to loud which results in digital distortion.

Another common issue the headphone level bleeds out into the mic and causes low level phasing.

SOLUTIONS:

When recording your vocals turn down the level of the beat (-5db to -10db) so that you make room to hear your vocals while recording.

The recorded level of vocals in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) should be no louder than -6db to -10db. Anything close or in the red is way too loud and carries digital distortion in the signal.

Take your time when recording, choose beats wisely and while recording your vocals, remember lower levels are much better for the end result of your song. Keep the headphone level to a minimum. The mixing engineer can adjust lower levels but cannot remove digital distortion of a loudly recorded vocal.

The next level of this process and best solution for your sound as a independent artist. Find a solid local producer who can produce you a beat for the sound your looking for and provide the stems of each sound separated. This process will cost you more to purchase the beat. Respect the producer and his talents and your sound will grow. The mixing engineer has the flexibility with the arrangement and sound of your final product. This to will cost you more in the post-production process. It will take you from sounding like a local independent artist to sounding more like a major recording artist.

Written By:

Jeff Peaks aka Mr Peak Level

#PeakLevelWitNoDistortions

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Peak Level Productions - Production Tips 101-01

These days most artist are recording themselves in home studios that are inadequately treated for the process of recording. There are a few things a artist can do that will improve the quality of their recording.

Microphone placement is essential to this process. Its where you place the mic that effects your tone. The back of a condenser microphone is designed to block sound out. Place the mic towards any bad areas in the room, i.e. Glass, picture frames, and mirrors.

Artist position and performance is key to the recording process. Artist should position themselves 6" from the face of the mic. This allows the microphone to capture the full body of the performance. Performance volume should be a comfortable level. In other words no need to yell or scream. This hurts the recording process.

The most important part of the recording process is the level in which you record sound. In this day and age of digital recording, less is more. You don't need a loudly recorded vocal level. No matter which DAW your using, they all use the same principles. Any sound recorded digitally should be recorded at -10db to -6db. This applies for vocals, live instruments and or any other sound recorded into your DAW.

If you have a 2 Track beat from a producer understand that the beat has been mastered so that you can hear the full dynamic range. Turn the beat down 5db to 10db to give yourself room to hear your vocals while recording. This will cut down the feeling that your yelling aover the beat. Also the tone of your room will be cut down because your microphone will focus on capturing the vocal.

These 3 steps will assist in the mixing and mastering process. The recording process should be where you have fun and capture the emotions of the performance. Always remember when recording less is more.

Written By:

Jeff Peaks aka Mr Peak Level

#PeakLevelWitNoDistortions