Compression in Ambient/Experimental

So, finally reworking on a track of mine that wrote a couple of years ago, and mixing the track from scratch.

Im quite annoyed by some high frequencies (as always), so since high-shelf cut on EQ is not enough, apply a high-cut within the sounds with the annoying high frequencies. Same EQ cut on "sends" Reverb. I try not to abuse it so that i dont kill the sound and it dies within the mix. But some frequencies have to be removed up to 1Khz. Listen to the mix again, doesnt sounds so aggressive anymore but the mix is more dull and a little life and color from the sounds is lost. I tried to compress these sounds slightly and i think it helps a little. I dont want to use a multi-band compressor on the master out yet, trying to fix the mix. But dont know what would you guys do in a similar situation.

And since during the process some questions have appeared, it would be quite interesting to know how often compression is used in ambient music and similar minimal and experimental music.

I use compression very seldom and when, I abuse it a bit- no overcompression but I do use it in a clean way.

A friend of mine works with plunderphonics and he uses compression only to get little parts more punchy and crisp.

I would say compression isn't a very big topic in the experimental music, at least what I know so far. Most are into equalization to give a shimmer to audio parts, that's what I do as well very often.

I'm no expert on these things, but I only ever use it if I want something to sound choked, I've never done it at the main mix, only on individual tracks, sometimes sidechained. I try to fix everything with eq and level automations. Don't listen to my soundcloud link for examples though, thats just some random shit I haven't spent much time on.

I don't tend to compress the entire mix, though I do use it for unruly synths when the oscillating resonance and filters start to get out of control.

Thanx for all the replies folks. Yeah, i too mostly try to EQ individual tracks to sort out the problems in the mix, but in some occasions its quite difficult, either have to use 2, or in some rare cases even 3 EQs to fix a sound, and the results are not very satisfactory either.

  On 11/25/2012 at 6:23 PM, MarinaStewart said:

A friend of mine works with plunderphonics

Just found out there is such a term as "plunderphonics", and I have been listening to FSOL for ages :)

  On 11/25/2012 at 6:54 PM, mcbpete said:

I don't tend to compress the entire mix, though I do use it for unruly synths when the oscillating resonance and filters start to get out of control.

Thanks man :) Well, yes, some synths are giving the headache and trying to solve it.

yeah, like others have said compression on an entire mix really isnt the best way to go about things (at least in my experience it hasnt). i use it more for keeping individual sounds in check. maybe use a different EQ. unless you already have, then i got nothing. sorry.

Reading your first post again it seems the solution to your dilemma could be using a notch filter to remove just the headachy frequencies and leaving everything else untouched?

Yea, trying notch filter as well, I know sometimes it takes days or weeks to EQ a sound. Do you guys have to use sometimes 2 or 3 EQs in your effect rack to shape a specific sound/s? Or its my samples/sounds that are too noisy then?

I don't stack EQs, why do you do this? Do you only have a three band eq when you need a 8 or 16 band to fix the sound, or is there some other reason?

If you're just worried about a single frequency, then you could use a de-esser.

There's also a Voxengo vst that's some sort of dynamic EQ: you can set it up so that each frequency can't go past a certain threshold.

But don't smash your whole mix just for one frequency. that's like burning your house down to kill a cockroach.

  On 11/25/2012 at 8:36 PM, Gocab said:

I don't stack EQs, why do you do this? Do you only have a three band eq when you need a 8 or 16 band to fix the sound, or is there some other reason?

Well, now that i think about it, in 98% of cases i use Parametric Equalizer, maybe i should be using Graphic Equalizer more often?

  On 11/25/2012 at 8:54 PM, LimpyLoo said:

If you're just worried about a single frequency, then you could use a de-esser.

 

There's also a Voxengo vst that's some sort of dynamic EQ: you can set it up so that each frequency can't go past a certain threshold.

De-esser, ok, gonna try it, i hardly ever use one. Which Voxengo unit would that be, Voxengo GlissEQ? Just came across Voxengo Redunoise and it sounds interesting, have never used this one.

GlissEQ

it's a smooth motherfucker

i don't know about the de-esser. i find that to also to get rid of parts that i liked in a sound along with the parts that i wanted gone. though i could have used it wrong.

but i do like what limpy suggested with the dynamic EQ. i never used a Voxengo though so i cant say if its a good one or not. if you can see where this high freq noise is coming youll be able to accurately EQ it.

  On 11/25/2012 at 9:25 PM, Frankie5fingers said:

i don't know about the de-esser. i find that to also to get rid of parts that i liked in a sound along with the parts that i wanted gone. though i could have used it wrong.

 

If that's the case, then you're not setting the Q and/or threshold correctly.