compression on leads?

[bcaktobasicsdj]

compression on leads. I always get such mixed responses to this question.

Any1 here use it?

if so what settings and on what kind of leads.

I generally only compress my leads if im using a lead playing kind of stabbing chords.

Be interesting to see peoples responses as i have gotten such different feed back

[R3cl41m3r]

I compress leads all the time when I'm mixing.

[ljk32]

If you'd simply used the search bar or Google, you'd find that this question has been asked more than once before.

You'll always get mixed responses because some people prefer to compress their leads and others do not. Also, most people in this section have no idea what they're talking about, and it seems as though the ones that do avoid commenting very often - I don't blame them. This will add to the variation in responses, but will also leave you with inaccurate tips/advice. I'll post what I've posted before regarding compression on leads and screeches:

We can't answer these questions - where you put it and the settings you would use all depends on what you're going for. Do you want to tame the peaks on your lead, do you want to give it a really clicky attack, maybe you want to eq before compressing, maybe after? Experiment with it. If we tell you a setting that works for us, it won't help you with knowing how to compress, since a lead and screech will vary in every track(well at least I hope so), and therefore the settings for one track may not work for another.

[Thrice]

You don't compress for the sake of compressing.
You compress for the sake of the mix.

Unless you use a compressor for a creative purpose (Snappy/Clicky Lead or pumpin e.g).

What I like to do is add some distortion instead of compression. (They do have similiar effects)
Will give it a warm touch.

Everything else depends on the melody and the lead choice.

[Echidna]

Groundhog thread...

As I've said a million times, compression is essential in Mixdown, read up on compressors and how to actually use a compressor instead of throwing one on a strip and clicking a preset.

[Soundphase]

i use a limiter on a lead, no compressor

[Echidna]

i use a limiter on a lead, no compressor

Personally, I think this is a bad choice. But entirely up to you

[Soundphase]

i use a limiter on a lead, no compressor

Personally, I think this is a bad choice. But entirely up to you

reason being?

[SCH]

I use a very soft compressor if needed, just to reduce the worst peaks on the lead to give a tiny bit more headroom.

[Echidna]

i use a limiter on a lead, no compressor

Personally, I think this is a bad choice. But entirely up to you

reason being?

A limiter will squash the lead, no dynamics