#187: Are You Using Mix Bus Compression?

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Episode Show Notes:

Are you mixing into a compressor? I mean mixing with a compressor on your mix bus from the beginning and not just slapping a compressor on at the end and then hoping for the best.

These guys are, and in this episode, Benedikt & Malcom talk about how they’re doing it and why they’re doing it.

Every compressor has its own unique ‘flavor’ and is often used as the glue that brings all of your song’s individual elements together.

Remember, though, your mix bus has EVERYTHING going through it, so you’ve got to be careful. Any changes you make on there will affect the whole song, for better or for worse. 

Where do you start with mix bus compression, though?

Do you know which type of compressor to use for mix bus compression? You have options… 

You could reach for a VCA compressor if you’re looking for a transparent glue. Maybe you’re feeling extra fruity and want to risk destroying your mix, so why not reach for an 1176?

Then there are the settings. Benedikt and Malcom compare notes on their go-to “safe” settings when using mix bus compression. 

“It sounds complicated, but once you get the core concepts, it’s not that complicated at all.” – Benedikt

Mix bus compression can be a complicated subject, but it’s also a fundamental skill that you need to get your head around if you want to make professional-sounding mixes. 

“Learning is sucking, until you don’t.” – Malcom Owen-Flood

A real deep dive episode here, so hold on to your threshold knobs and let the learning begin. 

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For full show notes go to: https://theselfrecordingband.com/187

If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com