The compressor will be triggered to reduce the audio signal any time the input goes over the threshold. Turn down the threshold, and you’ll see the needle pop more often (this is the gain reduction). Threshold is simply the level at which the compressor will start to react to your audio track. This means you might encounter new controls or discover something new about controls you are already familiar with. You’re probably familiar with the standard controls of a compressor by now, but Logic’s Compressor plugin is really quite a rich suite of compression tools.
Let’s get our heads around the basic controls of the Logic Pro X Compressor. This is particularly true when dealing with plugins that are modeled on vintage hardware as often the coloration they add to the signal is more desirable than the compression itself. A compressor can be used to even out the level of an individual track, or it can add bite, color, crunch, or creative effects to otherwise simple instruments. There are many uses for audio compression and other dynamics processors. (Note that this is a mono track.) What Is Compression For? If you’re not sure where to find Compressor, choose an audio or instrument track, add a plugin, and look under the “Dynamics” sub-menu. We’ll take you through the different compressor models packed into this one plugin, and even give you a little creative advice on what to do with each model. If you want to master compression with just the stock plugins, we’ve got you covered. While our DAW’s stock tools are great for mixing, they are often designed to be “transparent”, so won’t add any extra sonic mojo.Ī lot of users don’t realize the good news: Logic Pro X has already included beautiful-sounding models of famous analog compressors for you to play with!
These can be expensive ( but don’t have to be, check out out favorite free compressor plugins here), especially if you’re looking at top-of-the-line hardware modeled compressor plugins with extra warmth and color. Often, we producers are encouraged to resort to third-party VST compressor plugins. Simply named “Compressor”, the stock compressor in Logic Pro X is a standard AU plugin that is included when you purchase Logic Pro X. Image: What Is Logic’s Stock Compressor? Make bold sounds without expensive third-party plugins.Familiarize yourself with each of Logic’s compressor models.7 different compressors in one, but are they any good?.Feel free to post your comments or findings here.Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. If anyone has already, or ever has the time to compare the specific performance of the Waves UAD and Logic Pro emulations against each other with a spectrometer showing the harmonic response of each, I would be really interested to hear about it. This kind of compressor doesn’t color the sound as much as the other models, so it is ideal when you want your compression to go unnoticed. VCA – As well as being a fast compressor, the VCA model is also cleaner and more transparent.It works really well for parallel compression since it’s always pumping away in the background, not just when the signal reaches the threshold. It is a little slower on the attack, and doesn’t react as quickly to the audio signal. Opto – This is emulating the LA2A, optical compressor.FET – (Field Effect Transistor) This setting is emulating an 1176 which is perhaps the most famous FET compressor, and people like to use them to get that punchy drum sound.The three modes worth noting on the Logic Pro compressor plugin are: This may or may not be as perfect an emulation as the ones by Waves or UAD, but it will definitely get you in the ball park. If you happen to be a Logic Pro user, it is worth noting that the compressor plugin included with Logic has both 1176, and LA2A compressor emulation modes. If you have the money, and tend to like the plugins from a particular developer, by all means, get their emulation and use it to your hearts content. Each of those developers have worked really hard to emulate the best characteristics of these coveted units, and they work really well. There are a lot of expensive plugin emulations that you can buy from Waves, UAD, or other plugin developers to recreate the classic sound of the beloved 1176, and LA2A compressor units.