How Compression Affects Your EQ (And Why Your Ears are the Final Judge)

Published: Thu, 11/19/15

Compression is funny in how it affects the frequency spectrum.

Maybe this is a placebo but I was working with the CLA vocals plug-in the other day and since it doesn't really tell you exactly what it's doing you're forced to listen to whatever is happening to your tracks.

Crazy right? #sarcasm

Some of the compression settings affect the source sound differently (obviously) but it made me think about how you need to listen to how compressors affect the frequency range and how you still need to think about EQ, even when you're compressing.

I did some digging into how they actually work and I ran across this article that basically tells you what kind of circuitry each plug-in is modeling.

It's really worth the read and makes me feel better about slapping them on a track.

If I want a bit of extra top on the vocal with some 1176-style compression and some slap-back echo should I use my 1176 plug-in, an EQ and a send to a slap-back delay because I'm scared of not being able to read the exact gain reduction or see the exact frequencies I'm pushing?

No.

I use plug-ins to make my mixes sound good. I know how to EQ (and wrote a book about it) and I've long ago ignored any rules on how much I should be compressing in the mix. I just do it until it sounds good.

I put five compressors on a vocal the other day. With the right attack and release you can avoid any noticeable pumping and just make the vocal thick and in your face.

You probably read that and exclaimed "FIVE COMPRESSORS!?!?" Oh the horror.

Nah, it sounded great.

Make note, I'm not contradicting my previous article: Why the Chris Lord-Alge Plug-in Bundle is Dangerous To Your Mix.

In fact, this article supports everything I say in it. I know how to EQ and compress. I'd just rather use one plug-in to get the same results.

Sometimes you get lost in all the frequencies of an EQ. If that's the case you might want to just use your ears and push the CLA faders around until the mix sounds good.

But I would recommend actually learning how to EQ first.

That's where my EQ Strategies - Ultimate Guide to EQ comes in.

It teaches you the ins and outs of the frequency spectrum so you don't get lost. Once you understand how all the frequencies work you can make better judgements with simplified plug-in bundles like the CLA plug-ins because you have a better idea about what "bite" or "roof" or "upper" means.

Grab it here and start mastering the frequency spectrum: