A Guitarists Guide to Compression
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 лис 2020
- In this episode I will explain what compressors do before your guitar amp and after it using plugins in your DAW.
BEATO EAR TRAINING → beatoeartraining.com
THE BEATO CLUB → bit.ly/322AGO1
BUY THE BEATO BOOK HERE → bit.ly/2UsvaTD
MY HELIX PRESETS →flatfiv.co/products/rick-beat...
KEMPER PROFILES → bit.ly/34mF3EY
SUBSCRIBE HERE → bit.ly/2eEs9gX
--------------------------------------
My Links to Follow:
UA-cam - / rickbeato
Follow my Instagram - / rickbeato1
------------------------------
Special Thanks to My Supporters:
Nat Linville
Bobby Alcott
Peter Glen
Blair Morgan
Robert Marqusee
James Hurster
John Nieradka
Grey Tarkenton
Joe Armstrong
Brian Smith
Robert Hickerty
comboy
Peter DeVault
Phil Mingin
Tal Harber
Rick Taylor
Bill Miller
Gabriel Karaffa
Brett Bottomley
Frederick Humphrey
Frederick Humphrey
Jason Lowman
Jake Stringer
Steffen Schroeder
Matthias Juhnke
steven crawford
Robert Enyedi
Piush Dahal
Jeff Portman
Jim Sanger
Damian Noga
Brian Lawson
Eddie Khoriaty
Brett Hesford
Ronnie Thompson
Daniel Lahey
CL Turner
Scott Quillin
Mark Hampton
Zayne Ryder
Vinny Piana
J.I. Abbot
Vijay Vaidyanathan
Kyle Dandurand
Joe Knight
Anthony Lanman
Rory McGuckin
Brian Brackeen
Amro Othman
Dave Ling
DOUGLAS BUTTON
Michael Krugman
Vinicius Almeida
John Diaz
Akshay Chowdhry
Lars Nielsen
Dave Hawkey
Kyle Duvall
Alex Zuzin
Don B Puryear Jr
tom gilberts
Paul Noonan
Scott Thompson
Jaime Villescas
Kaeordic Industries LLC
Duane Blake
Kai Ellis
Zack Kirkorian
Joe Ansaldi
Jonathan Wentworth-Linton
Pzz
Marc Alan
Rob Kline
Calvin Wells
David Trapani
Will Elrics
Chris Defendorf
Debbie Valle
JP Rosato
Orion Letizi
Mike Voloshen
The compressor is like your mother lol
THRESHOLD: The level she asks you to turn the music down
RATIO : How much you turn down the volume after she shouts at you.
ATTACK: How fast you react.
RELEASE: How fast you turn the volume back up as soon as she closes the door.
Compressor explained in the best way lol
@@UMANGPLAYS hahahahaha
@DiscoFalcon hahahahaha
This is truly excellent.
@@steved2112 hahahahaha
I'd love to see this as a series, there is plenty of effects you could always do.
Also something about chaining effects properly.
Me, too. A series that presents the effects, how they work and what pros do to make them sound great. If you added practical examples (songs, licks) this would be a sure winner.
Yeh Rick. Forget the beach! Get back in front of that camera and give the people what they want! ;)
I agree 100% that would make for some useful content
P
I like it when Rick dresses like your uncle who is meeting you out for lunch.
I wish Rick was my uncle and would take me to lunch lol
he would be my favorite uncle for sure! Let's go grab some burgers and talk about compression.
@@rockboy360 That would work for me too.
While still adhering to the David Gilmour/Ricky Gervais/Simon Cowell/Me dress code!
There is so much knowledge on this channel. I don't get a ton of time to practice but man, I've had so many questions answered here , sometimes things i didn't know i needed. I purchased the Beato Book and just wanted to say I'm grateful for the channel. Keep on Keepin on Rick.
I am 44 years old and been playing guitar for 30 of those years,never understood compressors untill today.Thank you Rick and Rhett
It still blows me away the amount of talent this man has. Your ear, your talent, your open mind, your brain and your love of music... just one of (if not the) greatest man music has seen for decades.
Settle down Skooter
I'm really glad to see you and Rhett working together. I've been watching him for about a year now, and he's one of the hardest working musicians (at least visibly on youtube) that I've seen in a long time. The dedication is inspiring!!!
Compression has always been a tricky one for me, not the theory but training the ear to listen to the actual effects of a compressor. That is way I find this video so amazing!! Thanks a lot for sharing all this knowledge at this high quality level. Cheers from Italy 🇮🇹
It's great to use in front of a Twin Reverb to produced a saturated tone @ lower volumes, mimicking the tone you would get at higher volumes w/o it. I.E., tone simulation for loud clean amps.
I think I have to agree, but only because I can hear the difference between bypassed and not, but I don't understand what I am hearing. Rick may describe the sound as more "punchy", but often all I hear is "different". Looks like I need to learn to hear and understand what I am hearing.
@@loopie007 I totally understand what you mean. This is the same for me. But I've noticed, that little by little my ears are starting to "understand". This video is very helpful because it provides examples and "verbal" references such as "more punchy" so we can make the connection between the sound and the common terminology.
Cheers
This is the kind of content that initially got me started on your videos. I love how everything comes full circle. Mind-blowing how there is more wisdom, intelligence and skill in Rick's pinky than most people have in their whole body a combined!
RettShull is the pronunciation of a word in Turkish which has the meaning "Jam".
Jam to eat or food jam?
@@kjsdestin or the verb? "he jam the plug into the socket," LOL
Rick, you are the man, you play every instrument great. Also, I am very sorry that your Aunt passed, I see where you got a lot of your talent and big ears for hearing everything. She is such a sweet lady and I'm very sorry for your loss. Your son is also very talented, I know that you are very proud. Stay safe and have a Happy New Year. So glad you do what you do, thanks.
Rick Camp Memphis, TN. 😊
Keep this type of videos coming. I have been thinking of compressors as a fix for bad amp settings. In one week, I have learned what I have been doing wrong in my amp settings from Rhett's video and now I see what a compressor really does.
It's hard to find videos on youtube that do a great job explaining compression, and how to hear it. Rick you have some of the best. Some more stuff on plugins and how to use compression during mixing would be very popular. Congrats on your 2 million subscribers!
Love when the episodes are timely and linked to what I’m learning. Have not yet gotten into more gear, but I remember watching that first compression vid & being lost. Don’t feel as lost now!
Thank you so much for all your videos. I'm learning much more than I have in the past about recording techniques, using effects as well as tips on songwriting!!
I like this video - good balance of explanation demo without a bunch of fluff. I struggle to find a sweet spot for my compressor vs. if I really want it at all. I'm glad you covered the part about how it reduces the expression/attack by the right (strum) hand because a lot of other videos I watched don't seem to really cover that and I think it's a really important point.
Another fantastic video on a super important topic, Rick!
A hugely useful tool for the Guitarist, and an equally important point Rett made in mentioning that compression needs to be used correctly and is application-specific...it - will - destroy dynamics if used in the wrong situation. Particularly loved the demonstration with the Distressor plugin - you really nailed getting across, to those unaware, the effect on audio of varying those different dials. Kudos, Sir.
Nice! I love the videos where you incorporate the DAW. I too would love to see a series where you go over your favorite plugins/settings/signal chains. I'm still in the trial and error phase of trying to figure out which ones to use and which order to put them in so I think more videos like this one would help me flatten that learning curve! Thanks for all you do Rick!
I don't know how to thank u so much for everything I have learn this year watching the most interesting videos
We love u RICK BEATO💛
Rick, hands-down one of the best channels on UA-cam! Almost at the 2M mark and deservedly so! Thank you so much, I'm such a big, big fan!
That was awesome Rick! I'll have to watch that at least a few times. I would love to see more compressor videos!
I see some UBK in there on the drums!
Great video Rick and Rhett, I've sent this along to a friend who plays guitar and was looking to understand a bit more about compression. I think this does a really good job of explaining some of what to listen for, especially for guitar players.
Cheers
Thanks so much Rick, I've always struggled to get my head around compressors. I've tried them to even out volume jumps between my clean sound and drive pedals, but then found the drive pedals lose some personality.
You've explained it nicely and practically, looking forward to having a play
Gold mine of knowledge. Thanks Rick. Super excellent succinct explanation. Ive been frustrated with my tone for awhile. This helps.
This is the most helpful video I have found of compression yet. Thank you !
Great instructional on how to use compression with guitar and drums.
I've always just gone with the " sound of the moment " whether it be live or studio for decades. Now I know I didn't know why, but I know how.
I appreciate, Rick, that you still appreciate the music after all of these years. I hear about many professionals who "needed a break" and started pottery classes or getting and EMT certificate for ambulance ride alongs.
Wow. This really helped a sax player understand compression better as I learn to be a guitarist. Thank you, as always, for truly great work.
Thank you Rick and Rhett. These types of videos(well, all your videos) are very helpful for understanding the science of what we're hearing. Very useful. I play in a 3 piece right now. 2 guitars and drums. I've been using my electric as a deeper lower sound but I want it tighter with the drum hit. I know I need to purchase a lefty Bass guitar for that real bass sound but it's great to see these options of compression. I mainly try to palm mute to give that tighter sound. Anyways, thank you for the info.
man I was so hung up on buying a new compressor but watching this vid kinda showed me that I don't really need it as much I thought I did. I love to roll off my vol for cleaning up my amp/ od pedals and I also have a habit of stacking gain pedals or putting gain pedals into my amp. Thank you so much for clearing this up. As rhett said, I also have a habit of running my amp on the edge of breakup just for having control. I'd defo get one later down the line because it's a great effect for clean sounds but it's not something I'd be losing sleep about.
Rick is such a great teacher. I feel like somehow the algorithm brings me to Rick and Rhett to increased my knowledge at the right peace! Before your videos, I was using BIAS FX but learning from you I have really taken the time with impulse responses and achieving better results!! So much support on youtube.
You should subscribe and seize your destiny from the algorithm.
Great explainer. Best I've seen as an intro for guitarists. Thanks Rick
I have a fender mustang head which was drastically reduced online. I’m very happy with it, but it’s fairly clear that you can’t even scratch the surface of what it can do without knowing about basic effects and their use. The value of it is in being able to create presets with different signal paths, and using variety of effects. Like everything else patiently waiting in my basement at home, I need to put in some time. In the emulator world, getting familiar with the software, so I can put some more interesting things together, is really the key. Thanks for all this great content!!😬
Thanks for another useful clip. Thank you both. I appreciated the clip from years ago too.
Clear explanations on a useful tool.
I love when we get to see inside the control room.
Great video.
Hi Rick, I appreciate your work and learn tons from you! I bought your book and love it. Hope all is well with you.
Great information here. I actually use an Xotic SP comp “always on” with my rig. It’s set very low with a medium attack and long release time. It’s perfect for the Worship genre. I’m so used to it I don’t even know it’s there and gives me so much sustain, which is the whole reason I want it anyway. My point is that it’s somewhat genre dependent and pedal dependent. Some are squishy and some, especially studio or optical style, work well for maintaining dynamics.
I literally was asking myself this question moments ago after watching another of your videos. Great timing, Rick.
Finally a proper demonstration of how compressor (outboard) can affect the guitar sound. Great vid guys.
Thanks for this! Perfect timing. I'm going to be setting up my pedal board...for my harmonica...this weekend, and this really helps me understand where to jump in.
Love the Keeley Compressor Pro for my pedal board. Like the Fabfilter compressor for mix bus plugin. And the Warm Audio WA2A for hardware compressor for live tracking. Great video, thanks.
If you're new to compression, I wanted to point something out... I think by mistake, the first part of this video was a little bit misleading because Rick didn't talk specifically about the RATIO of compression on the pedal. So, keep in mind, while they were talking about the compressor pedal, they were actually talking about the compression as if it was "hard limiting" (i.e. infinity:1 ratio). When Rick said "If Rhett really kicks in really hard on it, it CAN'T get any louder than it is"... this is only true if the compressor is set all the way up to limiting (again, infinity:1), but the pedal was actually set to a 4:1 ratio... meaning it was just taming Rhett's playing when the lights came on. For every 4db above the threshold Rhett was playing, it would only let 1db of that volume be heard... so it's taming 75% of the volume above the threshold. That's what you're hearing in this part of the video: When the red lights are on during his playing, it's taming his playing by 75%... which is a lot, but you don't, "...completely lose all your dynamic control" as Rhett said... UNLESS it's set to limiting... which, again, they were not set to (look at the pedal, it's set to 4:1, not infinity:1).
When a compressor is set to a more common compression setting (2:1, 4:1 etc.), you CAN retain a lot of the player's dynamics while just TAMING them to the degree that you want (by carefully choosing the ratio and the threshold settings). This is one of the many great things a compressor can do: rein in dynamics, rather than remove them (though that can be cool too, when you want that sound).
Rick does know this... it was just an oversight... he gets deep into this concept in his other video (with the whiteboard), so make sure to check that out.
So, just because you're compressor "gain reduction" lights are on, doesn't mean you've totally removed all dynamics... the other settings determine the degree of dynamic reduction/tone/snappiness/sustain/time-feel etc..... alright that's my lil PSA. I just don't want my good buddy Compression to get a bad name:)... because it's so often misunderstood (understandably!) and can be pretty hard to explain.
As a Bassist/musician for 40 years...I want to thank you, Rick, for what you do.....I am concerned that we are just getting lazy .....the tech has allowed it...and I loathe it! The older I get the more I appreciate older recordings...due to the fact that they had LESS technology helping them ! For me, less tech is more better ! Again, Rick you are priceless ! I soooo much appreciate what you do !
Great demo guys! I personally never dug a compressor tones with humbuckers only on single coil. A whole other world when it comes to mixing of course. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for the video!👍 Compressor pedals have always been a mystery to me. It’s such a subtle effect in the wrong circumstance, and quite useful in the right one.
Pete Townshend- who has always used very little in the way of effects pedals- uses an MXR Dyna-comp as an overdrive pedal on stage for solos, replacing his previous Univox Super-Fuzz. There’s a usage you don’t hear much about.
You can definitely do that if the compressor pedal has a built in boost feature, and it will sound great. You can get very nice bluesy tones that way, with added sustain.
I tried that as I’m a huge Townshend, but man, it was SO noisy
@@stefanhamilton8713 Yeah, unfortunately that can happen. Because by compressing the signal you're raising the quieter transients you're also raising the noise that comes with them. Optical compressors can be a lot quieter but you might also need a noise gate if you're using single coils with overdrive.
@@stefanhamilton8713 Dyna Comp with a Boss Noise Suppressor. Match made in heaven. I have them right after my Robin Trower set up, Clyde Deluxe, Deja Vibe, and Auto Wah, all made by Fulltone, and quite noisy, but the Dyna Comp and NS cleans them right up. Especially when playing really loud.
This is a good resource. I have been trying to improve the sound of my videos using compression, and I needed some direction for the ratio control, in particular.
The compressor with the distortion is more focused.. that funk sound is amazing too 🎸. Soo much information on this channel.
nice follow video to the broader compression video :)
of course, not helping my gear lust but yea
the part where you used the Distressor plugin was my favorite in the video, just really really helps
(plus I've got one as the main vocal compressor in my studio so I can relate to it)
This changed the perspective for good...awsome
simple and practical....thanx, guys... (love the quote i heard recently that, "compressors are the overdrive pedal for your clean sound..."...
Rick Beato, sharing your wisdom is a service for mankind, thank you so much!
Thanks Rick, as i am new to effects over all. Your explanation gives me a better understanding how it works and how to use it correctly. Cheers Down Under :)
Rick, watched you tonight on your live stream wondering why this video didn't do as well as expected. This is the first I've seen it on my feed. Didn't get a notification. Might not have anything to do with the title, but some of the suggestions were hilarious. All the best.
Great idea rewiew about pedals, big following. Especially explaining them in deep.
I typically use lower wattage amps so live compressors never really did it for me. I also like 50s wiring on my guitars so on a 335, for example, you can roll the volume way back on the bridge pup and get this dry/bright sound that works really well for staccato funky parts. Now, in the studio, very different story. I think I almost always have a distressor or UA distressor plugin running post amp, that helps everything sit and catches the guitar the right way. Great vid
So useful, as many of us have it, I personally have a Keeley Compressor + but I feel that I haven't been able to get the best of it. Thanks for a su useful video
THANK YOU exactly what i was looking for - good for legato bad for chugs and dynamics -question answered
I'm a big fan of using an EQ after a comp pedal for cleans with humbuckers to basically kill the mids while boosting treble/bass into a 50w EL34 head with Treb on 6, Mids on 9.8, and Bass on 7.
Add a bit of modulation and you've got a surprisingly great clean tone into an amp that would prefer to be dirty.
hey Rick Shimi from Rochester, thanks so much for this Video, i really did get the concept of Compression, very Helpful
"Compressors are the overdrives of your clean sounds", Daniel Steinhardt, That Pedal Show.
That's true. That's why I prefer optical compressors over any other type of compressor; because they behave like overdrive pedals but they don't actually distort the sound.
@@j_freed I have a custom made one, based on the Diamond Compressor. That's the one I'm using now. I also like the DOD 280 a lot. If you want more controls like attack and release you can go with the Orange Kongpressor. The Effectrode LA1A Leveling Amplifier is like my dream compressor. It runs on tubes, it's expensive, it's just ridiculous so it's better suited for the studio. It will give you a very old school kind of 60s type sound.
Takes an AUSSIE!
@Chad Sexington Sure. Depending on the setup you can use it like that.
Now I understand many things... Damn
Great one, again, Rick. I agree, in the relation to the guitar, the main reason, for me, to use a compressor is with either a cleaner sound and when tapping (clean or not)...
Now I get it. Thank you. I would have called it "normalizing volume", but of course "amplitude" is better than "volume" in context.
I really appreciate this video because it's reinforcing that i already know this stuff.
I'm calling it
2 million subscribers before the end of november!
Thanks Rick for the constant stream of great content!
Rick, do you have an intern program? You are a god in the industry! This content gives my life purpose. I decided not to follow my passion in music because my parents and church members felt there was no future in music. Thank you so much for the motivational tutorials every week! They inspire me to chase my dreams! Thanks Rick and the Beato team!
Good stuff.... thanks Rick and Rhett.... you guys should do more gear demystifying videos this was helpful
Man, I really want to see Rick on a That Pedal Show episode. Great video btw
Great video, I was thinking of adding a compressor to enhance my Fender JBass tone. It's a relatively new bass to me that already has so much tone diversity. A video on bass compression or just a video on the JBass and how to best get a 'Geddy' tone or a 'JPJ' tone would be really cool!
This would be an excellent series for musicians. THE biggest obstacle I had (still have) is understanding how these different pedals affect your sound so you know what you want/need to develop your own flavor of tone.
Comment for the algorithm! That said, back when I was in a gigging bar band (avocational) we had a compressor on the PA between the mixer and amp. The downside to that setup is that our lead guitarist and bass player didn't want to use the PA for their rigs in small venues, and since I was the lead singer, I was getting squashed in the sound when they turned up. So I disconnected the PA compression and just used proximity to the mic for vocal volume control. Guitar players! Can't live with them, but certainly can't without them! (Well, actually I also played cowboy chords on a semblance of rhythm as well.)
Great video, Rick.
I’m waiting patiently for the video on bass compression :D
I would to see a video like this from Rick on Noise Gates.
JHS would probably say: "More low is more off." ;-)
YES!! That would be a great video!
Great video. More stuff on individual pedals and pedal sequence/order would be helpful to me.
Great video, thanks for the info. Good stuff to try out with my DAW.
Understanding dynamic range is a key to understanding dynamic effects vs graphic effects. Compression alters dynamic range, for guitar I always liked the DBX “over easy” compression curve and usually applied it if something needed more presence in the mix..
A guy I used to play with in the late 70s used an MXR Dyna-Comp compressor as an overdrive pedal. I never really understood the concept, but it worked for him.
Another good video. I learn so much from you two!
I agree with Rhett I don't like compression in my guitar signal regularly but after recording you made the individual guitar track fill out very nicely. However I'm not sure if that will sound better in a mix. I like the "punchy" aspect but not so much the bass addition, again it would be nice to see the "post" compression in the context of a mix. Thanks so much for your effort.
Thanks for the knowledge Rick!
This music rocket science sends me over the Moon! Great production you share with us!
I've just started looking down the pedal rabbit hole and trying to wrap my head around it all. My understanding of the always on compressor was to improve sustain. You turn up the blend and use a wider threshold than used in this video to maintain volume range/dynamics.
I love the different ways compression is used across genres.
Thank you for all the info. Very interesting. Only thing left me thinking is to hear the difference in sound with the same pedals BUT in the fx loop of the amp.
I used compression to keep the volumes of my guitars the same when I was playing in bands. I used single coils, passive hums, and active hums and switched guitars on the regular. I added another just for sustain later on. Knowing when to (and when not to) use compression is key.
Great stuff Rick, hope to see more of those in the future :) cheers
Squeeze the signal always have used it in my chain to tighten the dynamic sound Rick is incredible in the music world great job
I had to watch twice! Wow so many great nuggets here thanks gents!
New subscriber. Love your channel, insights on how and why
Thanks for the explanation. Clears things up
Interesting, been wanting a compressor for a while now. Thanks. And I am subscribed.
Nice vid Rick and Rhett. I would like to recommend Josh Smith's approach to why he doesn't use compressors on his guitars (at least not live). Of course he's playing loud, so, more volume means more compression, but working with enough headroom to get the dynamics his guitar is well known for. Cheers from Brazil!
This vid was interesting in regard to a “standard” compressor having controls similar to a rack mount or plugin design. But most guitar pedals don’t have those controls. The pedal used in the video is the first one I have ever seen with threshold, ratio, etc. I’d like to see a similar video using a typical compressor pedal that has controls such as sensitivity or drive, volume, attack, and tone. Does turning the attack knob increase or decrease the attack time? How do the sensitivity and volume knobs interact? I can properly adjust a traditional compressor but typical pedal controls always seem to interact in ways that aren’t easy to understand.
It has taken me many years to train my ear to hear what compressors do…As a younger musician using an MXR Dynacomp, I didn’t really get it, and didn’t really care for it.
Now, I absolutely LOVE compression if dialed in right…BUT I like some compressors better than others for sure… I personally don’t care for the first 3 versions of the Boss compressor’s they made, BUT, Man o’ man, the latest Boss CP-1X, for my application’s.., work’s incredibly well, and imo eliminates the need for a tone and/or blend knob…
Ive used the Keeley and its good. If I could afford it, I would have a Cali 76. Honestly, though I came so close to getting a Wampler EGO… but instead went with the 4th interation of the Boss, the CP-1X “multi band”… So glad I did, and I usually don’t care for digital circuits, but without going on & on about why I like it, besides it being easy to use & VERY quiet…
It’s the only compressor that I can leave on most of the time because of its transparency and it is almost my secret weapon for great tone! I should mention that its also a forgiving compressor & is almost impossible to make sound bad.
Boss knocked it outta da park with the CP-1X ❤
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! More tech videos like this please!
this has been a great help , thankyou
Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Perfect I'm just getting into DIY recording with a Daw! Thanks Rick and Rhett!!
I've never been good at dialing in compression, so I've never really used much of it. I try to let the amps gain breathe the speaker and use my palm and pick to obtain the attack I need. But this video really explains all that is needed...👍🎼🎶🎵🎸
Timely video! I just bought a pedal compressor yesterday