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Vocal Compression Cheat Sheet: General Principles

This document provides guidelines for compressing vocals. It recommends using multiple compressors with light settings over one with heavy settings. There are two main approaches: tonal compression which shapes tone and controls dynamics using lower ratios and slow attack; and dynamic compression which catches louder peaks using faster attack and higher ratios. Additional techniques include limiting occasional peaks, de-essing sibilance, parallel compression, multiband compression, and sidechain compression of competing instruments.

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Vianey
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360 views2 pages

Vocal Compression Cheat Sheet: General Principles

This document provides guidelines for compressing vocals. It recommends using multiple compressors with light settings over one with heavy settings. There are two main approaches: tonal compression which shapes tone and controls dynamics using lower ratios and slow attack; and dynamic compression which catches louder peaks using faster attack and higher ratios. Additional techniques include limiting occasional peaks, de-essing sibilance, parallel compression, multiband compression, and sidechain compression of competing instruments.

Uploaded by

Vianey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vocal Compression 

Cheat Sheet 
General principles 
● Better to use several compressor doing light lifting, than one 
doing heavy lifting. 
● If you have the hardware, apply light compression when 
recording - but this is by no means crucial. 
● Have an intention before you reach for the EQ. What are you 
trying to achieve? 
● I prefer to use “Surgical” subtractive EQ before compression, and 
wider “Tonal” EQ after compression. 
 

Tonal compression 
● This approach uses a lower ratio and slow attack times to shape 
the tone of the vocal, as well as controlling dynamics. 
● If you just use one compressor, use this approach. 
● Fast attack time for thick heavy vocals (but be careful), slow 
attack time for aggressive, punchy vocals (this is usually 
preferred). 
● Here are my go-to vocal compression settings for this approach: 
● Ratio: 2:1 
● Attack Time: 15ms (but up to 30ms for more punch) 
● Release Time: 40ms 
● Threshold: -24dB 
www.musicianonamission.com
● Gain Reduction: 2-3dB 
● Knee: Soft 
● Makeup Gain: 2dB 

Dynamic compression 
● This approach is about catching the louder peaks. 
● Requires a faster attack time and higher ratio. 
● If you use two compressor, take this approach with one of them.  
● In terms of plugin order, this approach often works best BEFORE 
tonal compression. 
● Recommended starting settings: 
○ Ratio: 3:1 
○ Attack Time: 5ms (medium-fast) 
○ Release Time: 20ms (medium) 
○ Threshold: -24dB 
○ Gain Reduction: 2-3dB 
○ Knee: Hard 
○ Makeup Gain: 1dB 

Other Techniques 
● Light limiting to catch any occasional peaks that slip through - 
aim for 2dB of gain reduction or less in most cases. 
● Use a de’esser to reduce sibilance if needed. 
● Parallel compression can add even more control and bring the 
vocal further forward. 
● Multiband compression can be used to control ugly frequency 
ranges. 
● Sidechain compress any instruments that are competing with 
the vocal. 
● Use a faster attack time and higher ratios on backing vocals. 

www.musicianonamission.com

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