Music Strategy Skill Improvement Task [Summative] by Jack Masters

Exploring Compression on Drums

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:09:41 UTC

I decided to start of by working on the main drum bus for this project. I have already mixed the individual tracks but wanted to try some new techniques on the master bus. I wanted to spend some time using Logics multi compressor plug in, which allows you to compress different frequencies at different levels. I feel like this will be a powerful tool when applied to a full drum mix.

Adjusting Settings

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:13:16 UTC

Next I will adjust the parameters of the compressor until I reach the sound I'm looking for.

Fine Tuning the Final Sound

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:15:02 UTC

Now I will reflect back on my process and compare the original sound versus the final product.

Drums with Multicompression

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:25:46 UTC

This is the drums track with the effect applied. I think this version has a more pronounced but tighter low end and the snare cuts through a lot more, which is useful in a full mix. I would say it's an improvement over the original and that I have used this effect successfully, at least to my own criteria.

Drums without Multicompression

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:27:17 UTC

These are the drums without the effect. Although it's subtle, I find this drum track to be more flat and less sonically exciting. The individual elements of the kit just don't pop as much.

Self-Evaluation

marleymasters2 — 2025-04-07 14:30:53 UTC

In conclusion, I am happy with the progress I have made with this effect. I will find the skills learnt very useful to take forward with me in the future. I am astounded by the control over the sound I can have with this tool, something I learnt though is not to be over zealous with this sonic power. If pushed too hard I learnt this effect can have a harsh and unnatural quality to its tone. I wouldn't have learnt this without experimenting though and in future I think I will find it useful to test the limits of the tools I'm using.