Audio compression for beginners: techniques and tips

Learn how to use audio compression in mixing, control dynamics, and achieve professional sound step by step.

Learn to use audio compressors in a complete, effective and clear way! Audio compressors are one of the most important tools for the producer, engineer or modern musician. Unfortunately, compressors are not too obvious to understand and its function is somewhat mysterious for many people. Even some professionals don't know how to use them in the right way!

Compressors and limiters can improve the sound of a production by giving more "punch" or impact to the sound. It's one of those little tools that can make a song sound like a polished professional production or, when misused, like an amateur work.

With this course, you can master the principles of audio compression and have total confidence when using compressors! You will learn:

• What an audio signal is and how it behaves

• What the decibels (dB) are

• What does dynamic range mean and how to manipulate it

• How to use each knob in a compressor

• Ratio, gain reduction, attack, release, knee, etc.

• Serial and parallel compression

• How all this can improve the audio quality of vocals, guitars, drums and more!

A complete approach to audio compressors!

There are many tutorials out there, but they don't offer you a complete and well-structured learning path like this course. You could spend hours looking for tips and answers on the web and end up with more questions or doubts. With this course, you can get the knowledge you need to finally understand audio compressors in a practical way.

Learn quickly, effectively and on a step-by-step process. You can study a couple of lessons in 15 minutes a day!

Course Overview

First, you will learn the basics to understand audio signals. With listening examples and images you will see the importance of compressors in sound production or mixing. Then you will learn how compressors work from the inside, that is, you'll know the internal "blocks" that every compressor has, and how these sections are related to the knobs and buttons (in other words, what are those knobs for!).

Then you will see the techniques in action, learning how a compressor is manipulated and, most important, how it helps you to control and improve your sound!

You will learn techniques for:

• Vocals

• Guitars

• Drums

• Bass

• Piano

• The side-chain technique

• Hardware insert connections

• Master bus compression

With this knowledge, you will be able to apply compression to any kind of instrument with any kind of compressor! These techniques and principles work for studio work and in live sound situations. Professional productions use compressors a lot, now it's your time!

Take the freedom to shape your own sound. Do not rely on plugin presets, take control yourself!

Who should take this course?

The course is great for musicians, producers, DJ's, sound technicians and engineers of all levels, from beginners with little experience to professionals looking to get some new ideas. These techniques can be applied to any musical genre (pop, rock, EDM, hip-hop, etc.) and work with both analog and digital compressors.

You only need a hardware compressor or DAW (Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, Cubase, Garageband, etc.) to start learning by doing.

You will be guided by a certified audio instructor, with more than 20 years of teaching experience at all levels, from seminars to college-level classes and a top instructor on Udemy, so academic quality is guaranteed. Join a community of more than 20,000 students worldwide and learn more about audio!

*A Spanish version of this course is also available.