No Sound Parallels Free Saturation Plugin

Just make sure you add a high-pass filter around 50Hz to stop the low end from getting out of control.

If you arent careful, compression can make your instruments sound over-processed and flat.

Both of them are playing the same sound, but ones compressed and the other isnt.

If you really crushing heavy parallel compression and mix it in lightly, then you can really highlight a track without making it too loud.

This is where youll actually set the compressor and make sure it sounds nice.

So how you set a compressor depends on what youre trying to do.

Pay attention to your meter For subtle compression youll want 3-5 dBs of gain reduction.

This bpm to milliseconds calculator will help you hone in on a good release time.

If your making something harsh and abrasive, this next hack is for you.

But youre mixing it in lightly, so it wont sound terrible in the actual mix.

As you dial in your threshold, watch your compressors meter for something in that range.

Start with something around 60 ms and tweak it until it sounds good.

Once you notice an increase in volume, turn the volume back down a touch.

But this time youre making sure the instrument(s) youve compressed are balanced with the rest of your mix.

For this next hack to work youll need to get your static mix down before using any compression.

Check your loudness meter and make a note of the instruments volume.

This means the aux channels volume isnt affected by any changes you make to the original channels fader.

No Sound Parallels Free Saturation Plugin

Try boosting the top end with a high shelf, boosting the upper mids or adding heavy saturation (the Softube Saturation Knob is a great free saturation plugin).

You might notice the compressor pumping as the cymbals ring out.

Try adding heavy top end and low end boosts or cuts to the mids.