Another great video and excellent job of explaining parallel compression George! The first person to teach me this technique was Bill Bottrell, during the Dangerous project with Michael Jackson. On songs like Black Or White, Give In To Me and Who Is It, we would buss all of the drums through a GML stereo compressor with a really fast attack and release, and maybe a 10:1 ratio. (Don't quote me on that, it's been a lot of years, lol). Then of course with blend that heavily compressed drum sound back into the mix. I don't really think the technique even had a name back then, it just sounded cool. In contrast, Bruce Swedien never used any compression on his drums because he wanted the full dynamics on songs like Jam, Will You Be There and Heal The World. The contrasting styles make the overall record really interesting for the listener. Keep up the great work! >Brad
Hey Brad - Thanks for the nostalgia!! Yeah, parallel compression isn't for every mix for sure, in fact - I probably only use it 20% of the time (usually on drums or bass, but probably most often used on acoustic guitars because they can be difficult to get a good blend on in a full mix) - when something is really not speaking well or feels too demo-y or of course if I want that saturated wall of sound is another time I use it. Love the stories you gave of back-in-the-day studio techniques - most people don't realize that all of those tried and true methods CAN translate to a DAW - and make mixes GREAT. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Does it work with rice cakes? I will soon find out! Thanks so much, this helps me understand what is parallel compression and how I can apply it. Thanks for less fluff and more peanut butter. You consistently make it concise and doable (more thanks).
Excellent tutorial. The Distressor is a very good tool to use for this.
Thank you! Yeah, I dig that plug. It speaks the best out of all the compressors I use. Thanks for commenting!
Another great video and excellent job of explaining parallel compression George! The first person to teach me this technique was Bill Bottrell, during the Dangerous project with Michael Jackson. On songs like Black Or White, Give In To Me and Who Is It, we would buss all of the drums through a GML stereo compressor with a really fast attack and release, and maybe a 10:1 ratio. (Don't quote me on that, it's been a lot of years, lol). Then of course with blend that heavily compressed drum sound back into the mix. I don't really think the technique even had a name back then, it just sounded cool. In contrast, Bruce Swedien never used any compression on his drums because he wanted the full dynamics on songs like Jam, Will You Be There and Heal The World.
The contrasting styles make the overall record really interesting for the listener.
Keep up the great work!
>Brad
Hey Brad - Thanks for the nostalgia!! Yeah, parallel compression isn't for every mix for sure, in fact - I probably only use it 20% of the time (usually on drums or bass, but probably most often used on acoustic guitars because they can be difficult to get a good blend on in a full mix) - when something is really not speaking well or feels too demo-y or of course if I want that saturated wall of sound is another time I use it. Love the stories you gave of back-in-the-day studio techniques - most people don't realize that all of those tried and true methods CAN translate to a DAW - and make mixes GREAT. Thanks so much for sharing!!
awesome vid George!
Thanks!
Thanks for this tutorial straight to the point.
Thanks for the feedback - that is what I am aiming for in these videos, to the point, less fluff.
WOW that's a cool idea and sounds great. I'll try that out!🤘
Yeah - it definitely puts a special sauce on the mix.
Great George gonna try the English Muffin tip.
Mmm - peanut butter.... Good luck, let me know how it goes!
Does it work with rice cakes? I will soon find out! Thanks so much, this helps me understand what is parallel compression and how I can apply it. Thanks for less fluff and more peanut butter. You consistently make it concise and doable (more thanks).
Bon appétit!