I hate compressors!

[PeterPav]

I think that under compression is just as scary and just as much of a problem as over compression during the mixing phase

Agreed, but insanely non-dense, is music too. Just because it isnt as popular right now, doesnt mean the trend couldn't reverse. All in all I'd say your right, and I'm learning here, If someone whispers into a mic and then screams into it, a compressor can help you here it. The dynamics in the voice are still percieved. Still some producers may want the listener to strain to hear something and then BAM! If every sound is on 11, you just cant do that. In my opinion.

[Chazamatazz]

compressors are like governments. if live sound translated perfectly into recorded sound we wouldn't need compressors but then you have 20 instruments and 530 countries or whatever, i think compression helps with the mathematics of fitting everything into the picture, or all the people into the earth's limited resources. i used to be a compressor anarchist, but now as long as i dont use it like an iron fist, i see its importance.........

[Electriclight]

I heard a famous preacher once poo-poo the idea of human overpopulation saying that if you gave everybody a 3' x 3' plot, you could put the world's population in Jacksonville, Fla.

That's compression!

It would also suck.

[TonyB]

You guys are starting too get too deep for me! I'm going back to watching SpongeBob!

[brandondrury]

i think compression helps with the mathematics of fitting everything into the picture

In regard to dynamics control, I think this sums it up well. Very well said!

In regard to tonal coloring, that's an entirely different topic.

[Chazamatazz]

I like it when compressors help with balancing what you are able to hear. I lke it when you can listen to music loudly and still not hurt your ears. I think there has to be a balance of things that sear out of the mix and things that frame the mix, so its always interesting but its not a battle. A beautiful moment for me is in Steve Reich's Music ForLarge Ensemble where you have 18 marimbas doing all sorts of beautiful polyrythms with jungle hues and rivers of action, then a section of horns play over that river a beautiful light ray sitting on top just perfectly in the mix. The marimbas are constantlychanging dynamics- ebbing and flowing and creating an angular web of activity, then the horns add the other end of the dynamic spectrum flling out the mix and transporting you with mesmerizing landslides of sound. How much and in what ways was compression used I don't exacly know ,but at its best compresion would enable such a gorgeous balance of color. And music has all to do with its function.

[TonyB]

You're all still too deep for me but I think I know what you mean!

[Chazamatazz]

I like deep. deep is good.skittles.