Dialing in the best compression settings for vocals can take some practice. After all, your choice of tools is subjective, and what works well for one engineer and track may not work for another. However, all compressors more or less operate in the same fashion, so if you can understand the mechanics behind how compressing vocals works, you can certainly dial in compression settings to taste.

Below, we'll explain exactly how vocal compression works and share some baseline settings to help you lock in what your song needs. We will also showcase a couple of popular compression plugin options to spark inspiration.

What is Compression in Audio?

To understand why you would add compression to your vocal tracks, we should first take a look at how compression works , as you'll use this tool throughout the mixing process on multiple tracks and instruments.

Audio compressors are used to level out the amplitude across an audio signal. Compressors work by bringing up the amplitude of the quietest parts of the mix, while reducing the gain of the highest peaks in a mix. In comparison to a more natural sound, compressed audio tends to read as more consistent than pre-processed audio.

Compressors can also add character to any processed sound and be used to gel multiple tracks together. For example, you might compress several harmonies together so that they all feel like they occupy a similar space within the mix, compressed as one larger subgroup.

Why Should You Compress Vocals?

Vocals are unique in that they have wide, highly variable dynamic range meaning that there's a large distance between the most quiet (lowest amplitude) and loudest peaks (highest amplitude) of a particular signal. Compressors are designed to reduce dynamic range, giving your listeners a more consistent listening experience.

So, you use compressors to create more consistent vocal dynamics as the natural dynamics of vocals can be somewhat stark without processing in the context of a song.

Compressors can also add some character to your creations, though some compressors are totally clean, or do not add "color" to the sound. Oftentimes, certain types of compressors are used to add warmth to vocals and other instrument tracks, but in most cases, you're primarily applying compression to tame your vocal's dynamic range. Once compressed, a vocal performance has a more consistent volume level, and will sit more comfortably within the the rest of the mix.

Performing with a level of dynamic control and using proper microphone technique can ensure that you get a great source recording before you move to using compression. As we'll detail below, you can also go too far with compression: While using compressors on vocal tracks is fairly standard in every mix, you can overdo it without proper technique.

Pros and Cons of Using Compression

Just like any other effect, compression can be underused and overused, as it comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Here are some major pros and cons surrounding compression to help you expand your understanding of this effect:

PROS:

• Can be used to tame wide-ranging vocal dynamics, providing more dynamic control and a more consistent listening experience
• Compression can help tame transients, or the peak volume expression of an audio file
• Compressors can help add character-like warmth to a sound
• Compressors can help "glue" together individual parts that are meant to have more of a cohesive feel, like background vocals

CONS:

• Over-compressing your vocals can lead them to sound flat and lifeless
• Since each dynamic vocal comes with its own set of highly individualized characteristics, it's difficult to generalize settings for dynamic compression. Compression and respective settings should generally be used to taste based on the particular scenario. While we can provide foundational settings, these should be a starting point rather than something you "set and forget."

Understanding the Parts of a Compressor

In order to dial in compression settings properly, you must first have a strong understanding of the individual parts of the compressor. Controls may vary slightly from one compression plugin to the next, but here are the most common knobs and visual modules you'll come across while working with compression.

Attack and Release

The attack and release settings of a compressor control well, how fast a compressor springs into action (attack) and how long that compress lasts before releasing the signal to its original form (release).

Threshold

The threshold speaks to the point at which the compressor starts attenuating or altering the input audio signal. Any signal that falls above the set threshold level will become compressed.

Knee

The "knee" of the compressor which is basically the slope of the compression. This determines how sharp or curved your compression settings are, which can create a stark or gradual attenuation effect, respectively.

Ratio

The ratio of a compressor describes how much gain reduction is applied to peaking signals once they cross the set threshold of the compressor.

Gain Reduction Meter

The gain reduction meter gives you a clear visual cue of how much gain is being compressed from the attenuated peaks in your signal.

Makeup Gain

Since compression can reduce the peaks in volume from your audio signal via gain reduction, you can amplify the signal post-processing using the makeup gain toggle to compensate.

3 Vocal Compression Methods

Various compressors can have different specialties and be used on their own or within a larger chain or send context as described below:

Using a Single Compressor

When mixing vocals, you are most definitely going to use at least one compressor. In some cases, you might be able to opt for just one within your chain for light compression but know that there's nothing wrong with adding serial compression within your chain.

Utilizing Multiple Compressors

A polished vocal sound might incorporate multiple compressors. For instance, you might use one compressor targeted at adding warmth and character and another for creating a more consistent dynamic range.

Experimenting with Parallel Compression

Parallel compression, or any form of parallel processing occurs when you blend the original dry signal with the processed wet signal. This might be an ideal balance of natural dynamics and volume control that you're looking for: This effect can be achieved by placing your compression of choice on a Send track in your DAW, and sending a portion of your unprocessed vocal signal to that track.

We will share some of our favorite compressors below, but just keep in mind that just as there are several ways to use compression within a mix, there are also several different types of compressors available. Check out this video explaining some of the basic characteristics of each type:

Example Compressor Settings for Vocals

Before we provide you with some plain-jane vocal compression settings, remember that processing vocals will require a unique approach every time , simply because vocals are so unique and impossible to generalize across every recording scenario.

You adjust your compression based on your desired output. Here are some basic threshold settings as a good starting point for whether you're looking for light, moderate, or intense compression:

Light Compression: Keep your ratio small, between 2:1 or 3:1.

Moderate Compression: Opt for between 4:1 and 6:1 ratio levels.

Heavy Compression: Anything above a 7:1 ratio will provide fairly strong compression.

Once you decide on the amount of compression you want, it's time to determine how quickly that processing will occur. For a fast attack, dial in 1-5ms lead time. A slower attack time will rest somewhere between 5-15ms of attack. Your attack and release settings, as you'll notice, will certainly affect how upfront or far back your vocals sit within the context of a mix.

You can adjust your threshold to taste, but a good rule of thumb is to lower your threshold until you fall somewhere between 4 and 6 dB of gain reduction.

How Do I Know When I'm Finished Compressing Vocals?

You'll know that you're finished compressing vocals when you reach a point where the vocals feel overly flattened and lifeless - it's time to pull back those compressor settings and set your values at something a bit more subtle.

As with any mixing process, the level of ideal compression begins with an engineer's preferences, but ideally, you should have enough compression that you create a consistent, gelled listening experience without sacrificing too many dynamics of the original audio.

Great Vocal Compression Plugins to Consider

On the lookout for some excellent vocal compression plugins? Here are some tried and true options to take into consideration:

LA-2A

The LA-2A is one of the most beloved compressors for vocals, due to the clean, tube-amplified sound. This plugin emulates the classic LA-2A hardware piece that has a sound you can hear in many of your favorite records:

Renaissance Compressor

If you're looking for an affordable option that emulates some of that classic, vintage warmth from hardware setups, Waves' Renaissance Compressor is worth considering. With an intuitive design and appropriately named "Warmth" button, you can quickly dial in your vocal compressor settings to get what you're looking for:

dbx® 160 Compressor

This is another plugin emulating a classic piece of hardware gear. True to its muse, this compressor provides colorful VCA compression and a no-nonsense interface for quick results:

UA 1176

Universal Audio offers an emulation of a classic hardware compressor, the 1176. Notably, this popular compressor emulator mimics the original hardware's entire circuitry path, providing you with FET and transistor amplifiers to give you that trademark character:

Waves Vocal Rider

Waves is known for creating simple, cost-effective yet efficient plugins, and the Vocal Rider compressor is a fan favorite. This dynamic compression plugin analyzes vocal tracks and writes in automation to adjust compressor settings in real-time, giving you a dynamic, yet consistent mix.

It's worth noting that there are hardware compressors (in fact, many of the above plugins are modeled after such), but the typical musician might find these prohibitively expensive, at least in the early stages of his or her career.

That being said, hardware compressor settings will have the same controls that operate similarly to plug ins you use in your DAW, so if you understand how to operate digital compressors, you should be able to navigate hardware compressors without issue.

The Best Compressor Settings for Vocals Will Shift From Track to Track

It's vital to remember that the baseline compression settings discussed above, are just that - a foundational frame to build upon. Vocals are super unpredictable in terms of frequency range, dynamics, and overall performance: there is no way to accurately predict what any one song will need in terms of vocal compression.

Instead, you have to use your ears and knowledge surrounding compression to inform your settings accordingly.

When in doubt, challenge yourself to experiment! Your plugins have a bypass button for a reason, allowing you to efficiently A/B test various setting combinations. Ultimately, the best compression settings are the ones that accurately suit the vocal and overall context of the song. Enjoy using your newfound insight to perfect your custom vocal chain.