#ableton compression

Compression used to be thought of as something only a computer geek or audio expert could understand – but today it is found in many songs, and even novice users can gain an understanding of what it does and why it’s important.  First time producers find themselves in a position where they have been able to create the song that has been jingling in their head – but when they play it, it seems flat and lifeless.  So they learn more about making instruments dynamic and humanistic.  They begin to apply techniques like doubling snares or adding layers over their bass notes.  But still, something is missing.  They are looking for a sound but cannot put their finger on it. What they need is compression.  Compression is responsible for giving music a particular sound, maybe a gritty over toned attack that is on the verge of clipping.  Once they dig deeper into compression and learn about side-chaining, the song becomes more than 1 dimensional.  Compression tool can be basic, but the great ones require a lot of work to build.  Those who master music as a professional know well about the value of a good compression tool, they also know how much it can cost them. http://www.attackmagazine.com/reviews/gear-software/shadow-hills-mastering-compressor/

The kick of a drum is really dictated by what type of mallet is used to strike the drum’s head.  On a standard drum pedal, it is usually made out of soft materials which give a decent sounding report – but they are usually built so that the attack is not as loud as the overall feeling of the note.  This is because the bass note itself can be heard underneath other elements of the song.  Some drum pedals allow you to switch the material to something harder, like plastic, which is known for its loud report on attack.  While not as common, it serves a purpose – to bring attention to the sound of the kick. Producers commonly struggle with ways to make their kicks louder in their synthesized drum beats.  Using the same type of tactic, they can play with the EQ of a note, and place more attention on the lower end rather than the high end.  Conversely, they can also focus on taking the low bass out of the beat while keeping the attack high and apparent.  Other methods also include adding distortion to the instrument or using some sort of compression tool to bring out a specific part of the note. http://blog.discmakers.com/2010/07/production-tips-adding-weight-to-kick-drums/