Compression 101: The Drummer's Guide to Spanking the Beast

Why settle for a boring drum sound...

....when you can add some sizzle and pop with just a dash of compression?

It's time to join the compression craze and elevate your drums to new heights of awesomeness.

But before you go hog wild with that compressor knob, remember to ask yourself these 4 important questions:

• Do I want my drummer to hit harder? Use a slow attack setting

• Do I want my drummer to hit softer? Use a fast attack setting

• Do I want my drums to sound shorter? Use a slow release setting

• Do I want my drums to sound longer? Use a fast release setting

If you can answer these questions with the right compressor settings, you're well on your way to mastering the art of drum compression.

And don't worry, any ol' compressor (plug-in) will do the trick. So go forth, fellow drum nerds and music producers, and add some spice to those drums. Your listeners (and your drums) will thank you."

Welcome to the drum nerd club,

where we talk about all things drums and drum production. Today, we're going to talk about the often-dreaded topic of compression and how to use it to make your drums sound like a million bucks.

First things first, let's define compression. Compression is a tool that helps balance out the levels of your drums so they all sit nicely together in the mix. Think of it like a bouncer at a club - it makes sure the kick drum isn't too loud and the cymbals aren't too quiet. But unlike a bouncer, you can adjust the settings to make the drums sound exactly how you want them to.

So now you're probably asking yourself, "But when do I use compression? And why should I use it?" Well, it all depends on what you're trying to achieve. Do you want your kick drum to hit harder? Do you want your snare to sound shorter? Do you want your cymbals to be louder? These are all valid questions and the answer is: it depends on the song and the overall sound you're going for.

Now, we're not going to get too technical here, but let's go over the four main types of compression you can use on drums:

• Hard compression: Slow attack, medium to fast release, 6-10db of compression. This is when you want your drums to hit harder and have more punch. It's perfect for heavy metal and hard rock songs.

• Soft compression: Medium attack, medium release, 2-4db compression. This is when you want your drums to have a softer and more delicate sound. It's perfect for ballads and acoustic songs.

• Short compression: Slow to medium attack, slow release (time it with the song tempo) 4-6db of compression This is when you want your drums to have a tighter and more defined sound. It's perfect for pop and hip-hop songs.

• Long compression: Slow to medium attack, fast release, 4-10db of compression This is when you want your drums to have a longer and more sustained sound. It's perfect for electronic and experimental songs.

Now, you might be thinking "Wow, this is all great, but what kind of compressors should I use?" And to that, I say don't worry about it too much. As long as you have a good understanding of what you're trying to achieve and how compression works, you can use any compressor you want. But, if you're in need of a recommendation, I personally like to use Slate Plugins. They're cheap, easy to use and they have a wide variety of options.

In conclusion,

compression can be a tricky thing to master, but with a little bit of practice and the right understanding of how it works, you'll be able to take your drums to the next level. And remember, don't be afraid to experiment and just listen to the sounds! Whether you are using live recorded drums or a sample library VST, the principles discussed above apply to both. So good luck and have fun with it!