Never knew that compressors could be used to add/subtract depth in a track. Fast Attack: stops instruments from cutting through Slow Attack: allows instruments to cut through Fast Release: brings instruments closer Slow Release: pushes instruments to the back
After a million vids on compression, I finally understand compression and how to use it musically. Thank you, Lord, for the person who made this tutorial. Bless them tenfold!
This is the second excellent video I've watched tonight (two different channels) on EQ and Compression for piano...and it's soooo refreshing. It's restored my faith in RU-vid. i was beginning to think we were sinking into a mire of people going 'whassap guys' and ingratiating themselves as some sort of TV personality. We don't give a sh*t about that. THIS here is what we want. Intelligent, informative, gimmick-free and focussed with the least fuss.
I legitimately have watched probably around 30 videos on Eq and Compression on YT, and not one has explained placing the instruments in the mix the way this video did.
Wow.🤯 That explanation of compressors' settings and using it to manipulate perceived proximity in a mix was Gold. Thanks for helping me really understand the character of my instrument (and how to enjoy others too) in an incredibly useful and expressive way. I can't properly articulate the value of this knowledge for my musical journey. Thanks so much.👏
Oh my god! You 're FIRST person who actually explaned why we need release on compression. Not how it works and what it do, but why do we want to change it, and for what purpouse! Thank you!
You made this explanation very simple and transparent that I wished other videos could have done. I've always wondered how attack and release affect pianos and even strings since I just started doing light compression on some of my projects. Very informative video!
Another extremely useful entry. I have noticed such a dramatic change for my church's stream mixes after watching your videos and applying the concepts.
Hi Andrew, Just getting back into music production after a seven year break and always struggled with piano mastering. Your video has been extremely informative and I will definitely be using Attack and Release from now on. Can't thank you enough. Malcolm from Instrumentals Club.
Thank you for this video, I have always felt and received complaints about the keyboard being too prominent in the mix and sometimes overpowering. Now I know how to tackle this and hugely improve the mix in the church I mix at as volunteer.
I'm so encouraged to hear that, keep it up!! Mixing as a volunteer can be tricky since you typically don't get to mix that often, but seeing that you're seeking out videos trying to learn is awesome.
Thanks so much! I'm mixing a piano driven song at the mo with heavy synth also. This is really helpful, greetings from Ireland and thankyou again sir👍👍
This video has taken me several steps to where I need to go. I am no engineer but I'm a keyboard player who wants to learn how to get my pianos in Native Instrument to sound better in a live SHOW. If you can assist me with any information regarding processing vst pianos in lice environment I would really appreciate it. Eager to learn. Your explanation om use of the compressor was really awesome. Appreciate the info. You have 1 new subscriber. Notification bell set to ALL.
Generally what I'm looking for from the stage is a nice simple rich sound, but I'd prefer it to not be massively altered already so that I can decide how to fit it into the mix. I typically don't want a lot of layering of piano sounds or anything like that, and only a light amount of EQ/Compression and reverb if you're going to do anything like that.
Hey man, fun to watch your channel take off! I’ve been thinking about making videos like this for a long time. Fun to watch you give what you have away.
damn this random ahh video just explained how to use a compressor better then literally any of the 40 smth videos about compressors ive watched till now. not only that, but he also explained what how to look for resonances in EQ. wtf
Thanks Andrew for this awesome explanation of Attack and Release. Does this explanation also apply to vocals? If not, what effect does the Attack and Release have on the vocals?
💥 Can you help me with that, please ? Whenever I record digital pianos to upload to social media, like Instagram or RU-vid, the recording seems so thin, when compared to an acoustic piano. I notice that the problem is that there's a lack of a warm tone, long sustain, but mostly due to the lack of the ambient reflections. If you listen to a good piano recording from a professional studio, like Deutsche Gramophon, you'll hear that besides the piano sound, there's a whole layer of the atmosphere in the room, you can hear to the wood vibration, it's a thick, bold, warm sound. They get this by placing other ambient microphones far away in the room and mixing with the piano mics. The same thing happens on a live show: If you just record the instruments without putting extra other several microphones on the ambient, you'll get a plastic sound from the band, not a warm, complete sound. So, I see that placing other microphones are essential. But how to simulate those microphones on the recording of a digital piano ? I tried reverbs, but they don't add that layer of atmosphere. I thought about placing two real microphones on the studio, nearby the speakers, so they would capture kind of the real sound of the piano and the ambient, as on a real acoustic piano recording. Does it make sense ? Another problem I'm facing with the piano recording, is with mastering: My pianos sounds too thin, lose too much details, and often sound lower than most people's pianos, even when I maximize near -6dB. I listen to people who upload their piano sound, and they seem to be almost the double volume of mine. And when listening on Instagram on a smartphone, mine distort easily, even looking lower. Looks there's a problem with "loudness". I never knew how to master a solo piano sound for social media. Some people know to do It quite well, their pianos sound warm, very detailed, and loud. The contrast to mines. Can you discuss a little bit what I may be doing possibly wrong ? I use EQ, compression and reverb. Then I apply a maximizer, or Ozone mastering to finalize. In the studio, it sounds great, but when uploading, on the internet, it sounds thin, plastic, dry electronic sound. Not "acoustic wood". The pianos I use: The grandeur, and several other VSTi. Thanks for any help. 🎉❤
Try duplicating the track several times. Eq out the lows on one to just have mids. Create a brick wall compressor and bring it up to taste. On another track do the same for the highs and bring it up to taste.
Most of the time I do EQ before compression. It is sometimes nice after, but you have to be careful you aren’t giving specific notes just more volume. It’s definitely smaller EQ moves if it’s after compression.
I hear the attack and release crystal clear. Why is it that I can't hear it this good when I mix on my laptop? Is it the headphones, speakers, interface?
