Subtle DT Compressor Settings?

Elektron Gear Digitakt
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Hi All,

I’ve loved having the Compressor in the DT. However, I haven’t managed to zero in on settings that I felt were “subtle.” I’ve mostly used it more as an effect.

In some tracks I’d like to use it to just glue the drum bus together. Would any of you be willing to share tips or snapshots of your favorite master bus / subtle Compressor settings on DT?

Thanks!

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Always depends on the Material. Use higher Release Times and not the shortest Attack Times, Set the Ratio to 1:4 or 1:2 and now work on the Threshold until you see just a little bit of Compression. Judge by ear with the Mix Knob until it fits.

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Thanks! And how do you think about the Make-Up Gain in this scenario?

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Generally you use the make up gain so that you don’t lose or gain any volume by using the compressor. I don’t have a DT, but switch it off and on (or use the dry/wet back and forth) to compare the results. You want a punchier, more consistent sound, not necessarily a higher volume.

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This! Nothing to add to that.

@trapdoors: If you notice that your Material is too quiet or the Mix is not perfect - never ever use the Compressor to try to fix this! Work on proper Levels first. Using a compressor to fix issues in your Mix is always bad and leads to artifacts, unwanted Distortion and Clipping. I just wanna add that. Just in case :wink:

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Thanks for the replies! I’ll try these tips out. My only experience with Compressors previously was in Cubase. I don’t know why 0-127 settings are less intuitive for me than readings in milliseconds.

Probably shows my overall lack of experience.

Also – 100% agree on the bad mix point. Compression has a way of making a bad mix sound even worse.

Thanks!

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1:1.5, slow attack, slow release, high threshold, wet/dry mix more dry, make up gain so peak level is same w/ compressor on/off

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while i get this, unless you have a perception of what 10ms is, just treat it like “fast to slow”

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