Some handy hints from some world class users:
VOCALS: The compressor adds stability and depth to solo voices,
it allows you to use less of the 'enhancer' and still retain
the sparkle. Over compression with fast attack times on voice
will change the apparent tonal quality so listen carefully! Try
recording first with a little compression, then adding more at
a different release time on the mix.
PIANO: Tricky, use it very gently unless you want unusual effects!
PERCUSSION: The danger is to use it too much too early, save heavy
use for the mix but for a fat kick drum, pump it up.
GUITARS: Crank it up! The depth and sustain make it a must.
ORCHESTRAL: A little light 'tightening' of an orchestral sound
will make it more present and warmer sounding and add body to string
sounds.
ON THE MIX: Remember that big compressed sounds are a balancing
act; if any instrument or sound in the mix is suddenly louder than
others, it will kick down the level of all the rest. As the sound
stays bright and 'present' with this compressor, it's possible
to go much heavier; but the initial balance gets more critical!
Experiment with the attack control.
GROUP RECORDING: Try compressing the backing but leave the bass
outside the compression and compress it separately.
GENERALLY, because the compressor is so extremely quiet and free
of any nasty distortions, its quite OK to use it both on individual
tracks, and on the mix, so I tend to use it individually on almost
everything just to gain some individual warmth, then use it again
on sub groups in the mix; so it pays to have more than one!
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