Compression

In audio engineering, compression is a very useful tool, and perhaps the least understood when it comes to it's general use. Heck, even I don't know how to properly utilize it most of the time! I'm deathly afraid of any professional taking a peek at what I do out of fear of being chastised. (and rightly so)

So for layman's terms, a compressor provides a few essential functions in the audio world. As a limiter, it makes sure that when the decibels get too hot that it'll push them back down to the user's specifications. As a noise gate, if the sounds aren't loud enough they are completely muted. And general compression use is mostly for making the loud and soft sounds into one normal, consistent volume. Predictable, manageable, easily controlled.

Unfortunately misuse of this leads to your music sounding empty and lifeless. Regardless of the composition, the melody, the rhythm, abusing the compressor will suck the mix dry of all it's essence, much like frozen vegetables and processed meats.

That's just it. Most people in the world just play it by ear and are doing lots of damage. All those songs which had been born, brought into existence with so much promise and potential end up being compromised and abused, never truly shining the way they deserve. They've been denied their birthright from their abusers.


Everyday you'll hear mixes that are walled to death. You'll never hear the subtle qualities, since they are drowned out and never to see the light of day. Expression may come out incorrectly and not as it was originally intended. And all the screams become muffled, interwoven and hidden between the cracks of the rest of the composition unable to break through and have the presence it requires.

A lot of this injustice is also done voluntarily by individuals who are too wrapped up in themselves to really see what's right. For them, the tracks they're provided with get mashed and molded into a way that only they can understand, because they subjectively believe that it's the 'right' way and if anyone else disagrees, that's their problem. They'll make every excuse as to why their actions have merit, perhaps garner some support within the community to reaffirm their beliefs. Unfortunately you just can't change a mind who's unwilling to be open and vulnerable. Just about all bad work comes from one's inability to see the big picture, and flat out refusing to open their eyes. So many others suffer for the pigheadedness of these people.

But then again, it seems like most people don't have an ear for this kind of stuff, so I suppose they aren't really affected by it, which is why changing this behavior is something that one can't really count on happening anytime soon. Our low standards perpetuate the cycle of abuse.
- Ether