Hiya,
I need a good tutorial about compression... Definitely.
I got the notions (the basics) of it:
Attack: How long does it take to compressor to compress.
Release: How long does it take to compressor to stop compressing and release the signal untamed.
Knee: Curve or peak of compression.
Threshold: From which decibels on you want to apply the compression.
Ratio: How much compression ratio you want.

But, said that, for years I've been struggling to apply that knowledge to my music with more or less success and I realize I play by ear, but, after a time, I re-listen to what I had finished time ago and there's some noticeable mistakes. So I think a good, concise and right to the point tutorial would help me to understand what I am doing wrong.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I also know that compression is not it all, because you have to let tracks into your composition breathe, meaning that you have to suppress frequencies that do nothing for the sound you're using, which means EQ'ing. And after eq and some compression I find the result does not satisfy me completely. So in the end, I find myself in the same point: compression is not working properly. And I need to improve my use of it, not so much the concept itself.

I hope I explained it correctly.

For example, when I listen to this fella music (video down there), I feel this track (and his whole work, if I may say) is perfect, like rounded, smooth and punchy. Not that I want to sound like that or that I want to produce that style of music, but I do want to make things work into my mixing to get a good mastering. I don't know, maybe I'm confusing terms and concepts...

Here the example I'm talking about:

I know you all are always very helpful, so thanks in advance.

 

Obligatory Gregory Scott video:

 

https://www.audiotechnology.com/tutorials/understanding-compression-1
https://www.audiotechnology.com/tutorials/understanding-compression-2
https://www.audiotechnology.com/tutorials/understanding-compression-3
https://www.audiotechnology.com/tutorials/understanding-compression-4

 

This is probably the most in-depth and didactic resource on youtube:

 

Then there is a problem with either your workflow consistency or your listening environment. Your definitions are correct, no further theory needed.

Punchiness is btw. a pure design decision not a requirement for whatever and needs some structural song prerequisities.

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2026 at 9:20 PM

1. What is OVERcompression?

2. You don't have to compress all in your mix.

 

you are talking about "mistakes" you made, but there is no ultimatively "right" way how to apply dynamics processing to music, it always depends on the material, the context, eventually the mastering target, and of course your personal taste.