The Guitarist's Survival Guide: Compression for Guitar Players

While it can initially seem very complicated, I will endeavour to clear the fog somewhat for you. Most people view compressors as a magic volume knob that automatically adjusts your sound, making the quiet parts louder and the loud parts a bit quieter. It’s only half the story, though, as they can have quite a large effect on your tone (for better or for worse), whether you're on stage or in the studio.

Why Bother with Compression?

Guitars, especially acoustic ones, can be a bit unruly. They have these sudden bursts of loudness (transients) that can stick out like a sore thumb in a mix. Compression helps tame those wild dynamics, giving you a smoother, more balanced sound. You know those whack-a-mole games from arcades? Compression is like that; if something sticks its head out too much, it gets a knock on the head, and down it goes. But gently, and in a musical way.

But it's not just about taming the wildness. Compression can also add sustain to your notes, making them sing and last longer. It can even give your tone a bit more punch and presence, helping you cut through the mix.

Compressor Controls

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Most compressor pedals have a few key controls that you'll need to get acquainted with:

• Threshold: This is the point where the compressor says, "Alright, time to step in!" If your signal goes above this level, the compressor starts working its magic.
• Ratio: This is how much the compressor reigns in those loud peaks. A higher ratio means more squashing, think of the sound of squashed country guitar players.
• Attack: This controls how quickly the compressor jumps into action. A fast attack is like a quick reflex, while a slower attack lets some of the initial punch through.
• Release: This is how long the compressor holds on after things quiet down. A longer release can add sustain, while a shorter one keeps things tight and percussive.
• Output Gain: This is your volume knob for the compressed signal. Use it to match the loudness of your compressed sound with your uncompressed sound.

Recommended Settings

I know what you're thinking, “I am a guitarist. I’m paid to speed, not to read!” So here is what you probably came for, some recommended settings. But hark, for people in the know in audio circles hesitate to give out numbers and guideline settings for a reason. Few audio signals are the same, a 3 dB gain reduction on one track may be too much; on another, not enough. Learning to hear the sound of compression is the best game in town. Get that threshold down super low, so you’re clearly applying too much compression. Then try to listen for what your attack and release knobs are doing. Then back off the threshold some. This is a decent starting point.

However, I’m not your mother; don’t study if you don’t want to! With that in mind, here are some quick’n’easy settings to get started on. Go wild.

• Clean Electric: For a subtle smoothing effect, try a ratio between 2:1 and 6:1, with a gain reduction of 1-6dB. Use an attack time of 10-30ms and a release time of 50-500ms.
• Distorted Electric: Distortion already compresses your signal quite a lot, so go easy on the compression. A ratio of less than 2:1 with a gain reduction of 0-2dB should do the trick. Use a faster attack (5-20ms) and a release time of 30-500ms.
• As you can see, the distorted signal (red) is already very compressed.

• Crunch Electric: Aim for a ratio between 2:1 and 4:1, with a gain reduction of 1-4dB. Use an attack time of 5-30ms and a release time of 100-300ms.
• Acoustic: Acoustic guitars often benefit from a bit more compression. Try a ratio between 2:1 and 6:1, with a gain reduction of 4-10dB. Use an attack time of 10-20ms and a release time of 50-250ms.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Compression Tricks

Once you've got the hang of the basic settings, you can start getting creative with your compressor. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Chicken Pickin': Want that classic country twang? Use a high ratio and fast attack to make those notes pop.
• Sustain for Days: For those soaring lead lines, use a slower attack and longer release to add sustain.
• Slide Guitar Smoothness: Even out the volume and sustain of your slide playing with a fast attack and high ratio.
• Modulation Magic: Put your compressor before modulation effects like chorus or reverb to create a more polished sound.

Your Secret Weapon

Compression might seem like a mystery at first, but once you understand it, it's like having a secret weapon in your guitar arsenal. It can tame those unruly dynamics, add sustain, and give your tone a whole new dimension. All in all, you get a more consistent and professional-sounding rig. So, don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. You might just discover your new favourite sound!