How to Use Compression in Logic Pro X (for podcasts)
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9 سال پیش
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In this video I'll show
In this video I'll show you how to use the Compressor plugin in Logic Pro X. This is mostly for podcast vocals, but once you learn the basics you can learn more about best practices for different kinds of audio.
I made this video a few years ago and I use slightly different settings now. If you think I should be using different settings, you're right! You should experiment and see what sounds good, and ask other people how they do it.
EQ and Compressors are the two plugins I use on every track, and if you plan on editing your podcast yourself, you'll need to get comfortable with how to use them.
What is compression?
When you record audio for a podcast, you probably won't speak at a consistent volume level the whole time. Some parts will be quieter than others.
You don't want people to have to turn up the playback volume on their computer or phone whenever you lean back from your mic a little bit.
You can use compression to control the louder parts of an audio track, and then add gain (or volume) to the track. This will reduce the dynamic range (the difference in volume between the quietest and loudest parts) of the track.
This helps prevent your listeners from struggling to hear quiet parts that should have been louder.
(I'm using Logic Pro's stock compressor in this video, but all compressors work roughly the same way, so what I cover will work in whatever editing software you use)
Compressor settings you'll need to know about:
Threshold
The threshold determines how loud the track can get before the compressor kicks in and starts working. If you want to control just the very loudest peaks, -6db is a good place to set the threshold.
If you want to do more compression, try setting the threshold lower – maybe -9db, or -12db.
Ratio
The ratio is the amount of gain that will be reduced by the compressor after the signal crosses the threshold.
For example, if your threshold is set to -9db, the ratio will determine how much will be compressed after the gain level goes above -9db.
A higher ratio will mean more compression after the signal crosses the threshold.
Lower ratio, less compression.
I've found between 1.5:1 and 3:1 is fine for most vocal tracks. I usually use 1.5:1 or 2:1.
Attack
The attack setting controls how long the compressor will wait to start working after the signal crosses the threshold.
You can think of this in terms of fast or slow; fast attack would be less than 10ms, and slow would be 50-100ms or higher.
I use a fairly fast attack (0-60ms) most of the time for podcast vocals. This is a setting you'd tweak depending on what was recorded.
Release
The release setting controls how long the compressor works before "letting go". So if you have a release setting of 100ms, the compressor will control (or compress) the signal level for 100ms. I use a fairly slow release (100-200ms), or the automatic option.
Makeup Gain
Makeup gain is how much gain the compressor is adding to the track after compressing it. So your compressor might reduce the loudest parts of the track by 2-3 db, and then you can add 2-3 db back with the makeup gain setting.
This will give you a track with less dynamic range, so the loudest parts won't be so loud, and the quieter parts will be a little louder. I aim for between 2 and 6 db of compression, and then add makeup gain till it sounds right.
Peak & RMS Compression:
There are two different settings for the stock compressor in Logic Pro X: Peak and RMS.
Peak is the standard setting. It means when the audio signal goes higher than the threshold, the compressor starts working.
RMS looks at the average loudness of the track, so it doesn't work on the loudest peaks, it looks at the the average overall volume over time.
I set the attack and release to be a little slower for RMS compressors. Since the RMS compressor is looking at the average volume over time instead of peaks, the threshold will need to be set lower, usually somewhere around -20db.
How I use Peak and RMS:
Lately, I've been using RMS compressors with an Adaptive Limiter after the compressor, and it's been working great. The compressor makes everything a little more even, then the Adaptive Limiter boosts the gain while making sure it doesn't clip.
Cool Stuff to Check Out:
* Recommended Gear: https://kit.com/thepodcastdude
* Podcast: https://thepodcastdude.com
* Twitter: Twitter: thepodcastdude
* Successful Podcasting: http://successfulpodcasting.com
Thanks for watching! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.
- Aaron
I made this video a few years ago and I use slightly different settings now. If you think I should be using different settings, you're right! You should experiment and see what sounds good, and ask other people how they do it.
EQ and Compressors are the two plugins I use on every track, and if you plan on editing your podcast yourself, you'll need to get comfortable with how to use them.
What is compression?
When you record audio for a podcast, you probably won't speak at a consistent volume level the whole time. Some parts will be quieter than others.
You don't want people to have to turn up the playback volume on their computer or phone whenever you lean back from your mic a little bit.
You can use compression to control the louder parts of an audio track, and then add gain (or volume) to the track. This will reduce the dynamic range (the difference in volume between the quietest and loudest parts) of the track.
This helps prevent your listeners from struggling to hear quiet parts that should have been louder.
(I'm using Logic Pro's stock compressor in this video, but all compressors work roughly the same way, so what I cover will work in whatever editing software you use)
Compressor settings you'll need to know about:
Threshold
The threshold determines how loud the track can get before the compressor kicks in and starts working. If you want to control just the very loudest peaks, -6db is a good place to set the threshold.
If you want to do more compression, try setting the threshold lower – maybe -9db, or -12db.
Ratio
The ratio is the amount of gain that will be reduced by the compressor after the signal crosses the threshold.
For example, if your threshold is set to -9db, the ratio will determine how much will be compressed after the gain level goes above -9db.
A higher ratio will mean more compression after the signal crosses the threshold.
Lower ratio, less compression.
I've found between 1.5:1 and 3:1 is fine for most vocal tracks. I usually use 1.5:1 or 2:1.
Attack
The attack setting controls how long the compressor will wait to start working after the signal crosses the threshold.
You can think of this in terms of fast or slow; fast attack would be less than 10ms, and slow would be 50-100ms or higher.
I use a fairly fast attack (0-60ms) most of the time for podcast vocals. This is a setting you'd tweak depending on what was recorded.
Release
The release setting controls how long the compressor works before "letting go". So if you have a release setting of 100ms, the compressor will control (or compress) the signal level for 100ms. I use a fairly slow release (100-200ms), or the automatic option.
Makeup Gain
Makeup gain is how much gain the compressor is adding to the track after compressing it. So your compressor might reduce the loudest parts of the track by 2-3 db, and then you can add 2-3 db back with the makeup gain setting.
This will give you a track with less dynamic range, so the loudest parts won't be so loud, and the quieter parts will be a little louder. I aim for between 2 and 6 db of compression, and then add makeup gain till it sounds right.
Peak & RMS Compression:
There are two different settings for the stock compressor in Logic Pro X: Peak and RMS.
Peak is the standard setting. It means when the audio signal goes higher than the threshold, the compressor starts working.
RMS looks at the average loudness of the track, so it doesn't work on the loudest peaks, it looks at the the average overall volume over time.
I set the attack and release to be a little slower for RMS compressors. Since the RMS compressor is looking at the average volume over time instead of peaks, the threshold will need to be set lower, usually somewhere around -20db.
How I use Peak and RMS:
Lately, I've been using RMS compressors with an Adaptive Limiter after the compressor, and it's been working great. The compressor makes everything a little more even, then the Adaptive Limiter boosts the gain while making sure it doesn't clip.
Cool Stuff to Check Out:
* Recommended Gear: https://kit.com/thepodcastdude
* Podcast: https://thepodcastdude.com
* Twitter: Twitter: thepodcastdude
* Successful Podcasting: http://successfulpodcasting.com
Thanks for watching! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.
- Aaron
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