Compression on a DJ set: how to get loudness?

DJLethalRush · Post by **DJLethalRush** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:43 pm

I've created a DJ set in live.

When analyzing the waveform of the mix:
The parts where there is only one song playing, the waveform is very uniform and concrete, due of course to professional mastering done on the songs in studios.

The parts where there are 2 songs overlapped (during a mix), the waveforms are extremely spikey and non-uniform (due to constructive interference of the waves).

(The levels of both songs during mix sections are ofcourse slightly reduced to compensate).

My question is: in order to maximize the volume of my mix I need to compress the whole mix in order to squeeze those mix sections' spikes down (and then apply an overall gain). But I don't want to further compress because they're already professionally mastered songs, and though the mix gets louder, it starts sounding compressed. But if I don't compress, then the mix is too quiet.

What is the solution?

djsynchro · Post by **djsynchro** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:16 pm

Turn up the volume on your amplifier and enjoy the dynamics.

chevthewizard · Post by **chevthewizard** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:17 pm

^ beat me to it

chevthewizard · Post by **chevthewizard** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:18 pm

Seriously though, if you EQ well enough, you should be able to get reasonably loud without clipping the master. Just add a limiter when you render your recorded set and add a few dB to bring it up a bit.

andrewbrewer · Post by **andrewbrewer** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:22 pm

djlethal -- i will probably say the obvious, but when mixing tracks i usually have an eq on both channels. if two tracks are playing at once, i always try to reduce or cut the bass on at least on track -- this helps to prevent the situation you just described.
also, instead of compression on a final mix, just open the whole mix in ableton and use volume envelopes on regions that get too loud. this will prevent the mix from sounding too compressed.

DJLethalRush · Post by **DJLethalRush** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:14 am

Yes, every mix has been carefully balanced with the level of the song before and the song after it, as well no two bass sections overlap at any time [andrewbrewer].

i suppose a limiter at the end of the master chain [chevthewizard] is the best i can hope for...

Thanks for the responses..

jonmoore · Post by **jonmoore** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:57 pm

In absolute agreement with all the comments made so far ref controlling your mix levels through the mix but I do find a good compression / EQ / Limiter chain on the master buss helps 'glue' the mix together.

I tend to use the URS Channel Strip Pro on my master buss - it has a fantastic preset called 'Analog Glue' which features a very low compression ratio and wide knee. The other thing that helps is a subtle amount of saturation (lots of choice her but yet again I use the URS Saturation plug) - it helps bring back a bit of the warmth that is lost through a combination of MP3 decompression / re-compression and the slight degrading of the original signal by the Ableton warp engine.

Limiter wise there a lots of options but most people seem to favour one of the following as the most transparent especially when being used to catch wayward peaks and not being pushed too far: Sonnox, PSP Xenon, Voxengo Elephant or the new limiter in T-Racks3 deluxe (the final option has become my personal choice although I also like the Stillwell limiter, an absolute bargain at $39).

piZMo · Post by **piZMo** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:12 pm

try a basic saturator effect on the master this will stop it clipping and sounds transparent

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:06 pm

i use the apple AU limiter for gigs, works nice enough