How to use Parallel Compression for unparalleled results in your audio mixes Parallel Compression is one of the oldest tricks in the book of mixing sound. It is used when processing individual instruments, drum and vocal buses, and on entire audio mixes. Many mastering engineers also use parallel compression in the final stage of mastering in order to maintain dynamics while tightening up a mix for commercial playback and volume standards. (Many mastering engineers also use multiband compression to fine-tune a final mix, which you can read about in this post . The concept is simple: instead of applying compression to 100% of an incoming signal, you first split the incoming signal into two tracks. One passes through to your output untouched, while the other first passes through a compressor before reaching the output. These two signals are then recombined at the output stage at varying volume levels, depending on the blend the audio engineer finds o...
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