Series and Parallel
There are two common ways to use compression, in series or parallel.

Series compression is the most typical form of compression where the whole sound of an instrument is compressed.
Parallel compression works by feeding an amount of the compressed signal back into the untreated signal.

Setting up

On an analogue desk the easiest way to apply parallel compression is to set the compressor up on an auxiliary send, then use the compressors return to set the amount feed back in. To use parallel compression on a computer requires a little more care because of phase problems caused by latency. Click here for a more in depth guide to parallel compression in Logic Pro.

Uses

Parallel is probably best used on groups of instruments or even the whole mix rather than individual instruments (though if it works, it works!) and it often works well on the drum buss or kick and bass etc. The advantage to parallel compression is that you can add a lot of body to the sound whilst maintaining the transients of the source instrument. This makes parallel compression more transparent and allows a lot of compression without the harsh tone of series compression.

When I use parallel compression I usually use quite high ratios with loads of gain reduction and then just feed it back in until it adds some body. I also often eq the compressed signal adding bass or top depending on what works with the mix, again be careful for phase problems caused by the eq (particularly in the computer where I find linear phase eq’s work best)

© Nathan Boddy 2006 unauthorised copying or duplication prohibited.

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