Thank god it’s back, was so bummed when the vid originally disappeared

Legend has it that he compressed the rest of the video so hard that it created a black hole and was never recovered. RIP Rhett Shull, we’ll miss you dearly.

So glad this video is back. I started watching it yesterday, and it disappeared. Compression is a tool I use regularly

this is like the 100th video I've watched on compression but i feel like i always learn something new

Some helpful timestamps 6:48 - 2:1 ratio 7:00 - 4:1 ratio 7:13 - 10:1 ratio 7:30 - Nuke ratio 8:49 - attack set to 0 9:04 - attack set to 5 9:20 - attack set to 10 10:54 - release set to 0 11:08 - release set to 5 11:22 - release set to 10

To be honest, I could understand all the theoretical concepts easily. But I swear I couldn't hear a very big difference. Probably because KZfaq is also compressing the audio. However it would really help if you did this with the tracks lined up one after the other because in the small gap between tone changes, the ears 'forget' what the previous one sounded like.

Good explanations. Unfortunately, KZfaq's own audio compression makes Rhett's audio demonstrations almost useless. I can guarantee that, in person, he was hearing MUCH more variation in sound than we are.

Compression is such a cool effect, thank you for going so detailed into what makes it so great

You can't hear the compression like one person said due to you tube compression so I quickly got my board running and made the same adjustments as you were making them and was able to hear the changes on my setup. One of the best video's on Compression I've seen. I learned like you. The long way just testing different settings. Nice video Rhett.!!!.

This is absolutely the best explanatory video on compression ever! I finally understand how all of the compressor settings work in practice. Thank you!

I. NEEDED. THIS. Compression has always been a huge hurdle of knowledge I could never grasp. I'm very glad it was exampled with the electric and the OD setup for lead-style playing. I've never used comp, but I've felt like I needed it for something. I'm very thankful for this video.

Pretty damn good explanation Rhett. As clear and concise as I’ve seen anywhere. I’ll be sending this off to a couple of my less-experienced students and clueless friends who think they’re engineers. Thanks for posting.

Yes, I was looking forward to watching this! Glad it's reuploaded :)

I admit I was reluctant to watch a 24 minute video about compression after thinking I have it mostly figured out, but this was incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to thoroughly explain it in different scenarios. Well done sir. 🤘

Best in depth explanation of compression I have seen on KZfaq …nice work Rhett !

It takes everybody a long time to grasp. This is the first time -- in print or real world or infoweb or whatever -- that I've seen a clear explanation of how to get those long sustain effects out of a compresser: namely, compresser to overdrive, and I've been playing for years. Many thanks, Rhett.

finally, somebody takes the time to really explain it. Thank you @Rhett Shull

Compression has been a question in my head since I started playing guitar 12 years ago, thanks for sharing knowledge Rhett

This video was very well done. I wish this was around when I first started learning about compression. It would have saved me so much ass pain. Thank you for your efforts, clear and concise explanations, and examples. Great work Rhett!

That was a very helpful explanation of how to rightly use compression. Thanks Rhett!

Thank you for showing this with acoustic guitar. It seems like every compression video I watch only shows how you can get that pumping sound on drums. Trying to find quality videos like this that deal with acoustic guitars is hard. The fact you used the same mic I have was also a bonus! 👍 thanks again Rhett.

This is your best video in a while. All the other videos are still great, but i really enjoyed this one

Great explanatory video. I have struggled with compression for while. You made it simple, thank you very much. Very professional.

Thank you Rhett. Compression has always baffled Mose and I.

Superb video, nice clear explanation of what the component elements of compression are Thanks Rhett

Great one! Compression is one difficult process to understand, indeed... It only comes down to practice and use on various aspects of music making, whether it be performing, mixing etc. Nice seeing a guitarist's point of view on that!

My Sunday night unwind...thanks Rhett. Always making great material. Very useful!

Man I thought I knew how to use compression, I knew nothing ! Great video and classroom on this subject ! I learned a lot , this has changed how I approach this effect. Another gem Rhett. Cheers!

I use a vintage BOSS CS-2 at the front of my signal chain and my playing leans towards the Andy Summers/post-punk textural style with lots of clean tones. The compressor makes single-coil pickups punch and thickens up flanger/chorus/signal processing effects wonderfully. Downside is distortion and overdrive tends to be essentially non-varied in volume and not all that touch sensitive. If you're a blues guy- don't even bother with compression because it will rob you of that dynamic touch and finesse- but if you are looking for that big, punchy, processed 80's clean-toned guitar sound ala The Fix or The Police- the compressor is the perfect pedal. Can you imagine Mark Knopflers' Strat tones on "Sultans . . ." without compression? How about Trevor Rabin's killer clean tones on Yes' "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"? That's the beauty of compression.

I've watched a lot of people a lot of reviewers doing the same compression review I think you do it the best you explained it perfectly you did your job thank you for all the information it's greatly appreciated and I now finally understand compression so thank you very much and you have a great day

Thanks for this, so far my approach to compression has been to turn the knob until I can hear the difference, then back it off a little.

So glad this got back up. Thanks, you cleared up a few things for me.👍

Great video Rhett that's a much better explanation than I've ever heard about compression mysteries solved👍😎👍

This is best explanation of compression I have ever seen and I’ve seen too many videos explaining compression. Even better to have context of pedal.

What a good video. Great resource here! Thanks Rhett

Great video Brett. You can never get enough instruction about compressors!!!

I listened to a drummer doing compression in post and the differences were so much more apparent with percussive playing..

Nice video - simple and straightforward - well done...as usual!

Not that I heard much difference between any of the settings (an oscilloscope could probably show it), but saying compression boosts the quiet and mutes the loud seems to be the best explanation.

This excellent episode just reminded me again that while rhythm and musicality are of supreme importance it is also the beauty of "tone" and timbre that please and inspire. Compression can help with that, of course.

Great explanation! Really cleared some misconceptions I had. I play bass and one compression pedal I like is the Blackfinger by EHX. It uses two 12ax7 preamp tubes to accomplish the job. You can increase the gain at the pedal and get some distortion into the amp. If your using a class d amp it will warm it up and sound a bit like a valve amp. And the schematic on it shows it’s running around 300 volts at the tubes plate.

Great video Rhett, I learned a lot, thank you.

Great job Rhett - explaining this. I've taken audio engineering courses, where it was = not as-Easily-digestible as this. Enjoyed it.

Just realized I've been using compression the wrong way, I've seen several videos on compression but I was still getting it wrong. This video was really helpful, thanks for going into detail Rhett.

I ordered a Really Nice Compressor on Reverb the other day, so this video was super helpful. Thanks!

I use a compressor at the beginning of my chain, it really tames my wah pedal, distortion and delay pedals, I can also use the compressor to help the delay carry longer after playing a note.....add in reverb with a strat and its very atmospheric

This was super helpful! Thanks Rhett!!

You are so bloody good Rhett - always fabulously articulate - thanks man, really appreciate this kind of knowledge 🙏

Nice info brother. Thank you!

In our band, one of our guitarrists plays mainly single coil guitars. And for the recording of the record we are releasing now he decided to buy a compressor. One of the best decisions he did to his tone. Especially on Stratocasters, the compressor is pure magic in low gain sounds!

Always love ya videos, Sonic Brother. Good luck with that posh Firebird; Hope you get that (keep us all updated)

Great video! I actually really needed it. I watched Rick’s video on it but it still didn’t click 100%. This cleared it up for me. Thank you!!!

This was very well explained and interesting to watch. You also have an excellent speaking voice. Subscribed!

Really well done video mate. Much appreciated

As I've said before, these are the best, most useful guitar videos on KZfaq.

WOW... Thank you for this. I never understood some of the terms used in my comp. Thanks again!!

Keith Williams and Rhett are favorite guitarist shows on the tube!! Excellent work

Great, clear, easy to understand video. Thank you! BTW, another reason compression (limiting) was used in early radio was to keep the signal from being knocked off the air by over modulating it. The FCC was picky about that sort of thing!

Great explanation Rhett. Cheers!

Literally couldn’t hear a difference from my TV. I definitely need to rewatch with a headset! Cool video, Rhett.

Thanks for such a great explanation and demonstration... especially with my own compression pedal 👍🙂

I enjoy all your videos! Always educational! Thank you!!!

Excellent overview and super comprehensive!

Really appreciate vids like this, helped a ton, thanks! :)

Great Video on Understanding The Theory of Compression Rhett ☺😎👊💯

I like the way that you went through everything step-by-step very thoughtful it gave me a lot of insight as to how do use a compressor properly how to start out with it turn down and gradually with the amplifier and the compressor gradually bring it back up until it sounded right where you wanted it to that would’ve taken me a while to figure out like it did you so thanks I really appreciate that brother ,Peace.

Compression is scary because all the pedal bros (tps, jhs, etc.) say it’s essential but for the longest time I had no idea why people even used it

Very informative video on compressors. I have one on my pedal board but I am going experiment with my compressor now that I know better what it does.

What is labelled as "Attack" on rackmount compressors and stompboxes are two entirely *different* things. If accompanied by a "Release" control, then yes, an Attack control really does adjust the onset of the gain-reduction. On stompboxes, however (and I can't speak to Josh's unit, but I imagine his is like this ) the "Attack" control adjusts how quickly the gain *recovers* after being temporarily pushed down by an incoming transient. To my knowledge, fender's The Bends compressor is the only one that *properly* labels this control as "Recovery". But WHY is it regularly mislabelled "Attack"? If it takes longer for full gain to be restored after a picked note has pushed it down, the pick attack of any subsequent notes that are picked/strummed quickly before that full recovery will be sort of suppressed, because the gain hasn't come back up yet. If the circuit allows for the full gain to be resumed more quickly, then the attack of subsequent notes will be more audible, because it will be at full volume, not at a reduced volume. So variations in gain-recovery time allow for pick attack to be more easily heard..IF you are picking notes quickly. But it does not change how quickly the gain reduction *begins* , which is what Rhett's rackmount unit does. The audible impact of varying recovery-time will depend on how fast you are playing. If you're mostly holding notes for sustain purposes, then a slow gain-recovery will help to create the illusion of better sustain. But varying the attack/recovery control won't seem to make any audible difference to you in the music store. However, try some chicken-pickin' and you will definitely notice the difference in brightness and clarity of what you pick as the gain-recovery time is progressively shortened. Among guitarists, the old MXR Dynacomp and its derivatives were preferred for people who liked slower soulful solos where they would hold notes, while people who liked to throw lots of notes into a solo tended to prefer the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer. The original Dynacomp was set for a long gain-recovery time, while the Squeezer had a much shorter one.

Very well explianed-I could hear the differences-Thank yoi!

Excellent video. Very informative. I saw your band for the first time .. fantastic group of musicians .

Lol - guess I'll have to re-watch this with headphones on because it all basically sounded the same over my PC speaker!

*Immediately wants to go and play with the previously-unused compression module in his cheap-ass Zoom unit* The best KZfaq videos always make me want to dash off and try something new. Cheers, Rhett!

Great info. Helpful and informative

very helpful and informative thank you guitar hero!!!🍻

Thank you so much for making this video!

Thank you. It’s so much clearer now!

Thank you Brett. very good and sooo professional.

First off, I love your vids, I've learned a lot from them. But I have admit, I'm relieved that I'm not the only one who couldn't hear much difference. BUT...now I'm going to experiment with my compressor to find out how I can best apply to to my style of music. So, thanks!

the fact that you actually let us listen to it helps

Very much needed, thanks❤️

Okay you're the first person I've seen explain ratio well. thank you so much.

Thanks Rhett. I think some compressors seem to work better with one overdrive and another might work better with a different overdrive. They can make the notes really sing as you demonstrated near the end.

Great video Rhett Shull! Very clearly communicated and concise explanation. If you get around to doing another compression related video down the road maybe you could demonstrate what it's like to place a compressor AFTER a first stage overdrive pedal. I'd be interested in your take on demonstrating that. It seems to give *some* of those touch dynamics back that having a compressor first in chain takes away. Similar to compressing a guitar track in post. Kinda. I'm not an always on comp user but when I do use it I prefer it right after my lowest gain overdrive. Best of both worlds when it serves the song. Usually a Greer Lightspeed or a JHS Morning Glory is the first thing my guitar hits, then a Thorpy Fat General that I engage as needed. Cheers!

I picked up the Keeley Aria. Compressor + Red Dirt overdrive, I think. Really handy for slide guitar at lower volumes. And quiet. Great video!

Great video, as always. I learned a lot.

Keep the videos coming man!

Well done Rhett!

Great video and explanation. I've always found Compression a very handy tool for recording situations. But I rarely used it when playing live. I just think it sucks much of the rawness out of live playing because it can really screw up the dynamics of the sound. The only time I ever saw it of any value in a live situation was when using 12 string acoustic or electric guitars where properly set up compression would enhance the jangle and chime of those instruments. One guy I know used to say any guitar player who used a compressor live was simply handing over the playing skills to the compressor device. LOL

This video came just in time. I just got the Orange Kongpressor this week.

That overdrive and compression combo made the Strat sound like a Gibson Les Paul. Now that's a sound I dig.

Ive watched many compression explanation videos, but yours is by far one of the best examples. I had to laugh when the audio was surgically dropped for half a second immediately following you hitting the guitar on the desk. lol I imagine there was a choice word uttered at that moment. :)

This is really helpful Rhett ! As someone who avoided home recording, and focused on performance and teaching, a lot of these recording concepts were lost on me when I was forced into livestreams/home recording during the pandemic. Compression is one of the more elusive concepts. I will say, I really have a hard time using compression with guitar, as I like dynamics too much (and even in these videos I preferred your tones before the compression was turned on). Am I the only one?

Thanks! When I started out playing the guitar again two months ago I got me an SG copy, a cheap 5W Tube amp, a chinese compressor and a chinese Klon centaur.

Been learning how to use compression in recording and on guitar more this past year, thanks for this refresher course!, I’m about to mix a song with some edge of breakup guitar, and wondering how to get the sound in my head, I think I need to add some compression lol! 🗜🎸

Excellent explanation. Thank-you!

Spending one day with an LED triggered compressor is worth a lifetime of fiddling with a Boss CS-3 or DynaComp at home. Playing a lot of solo acoustic has helped as well. You are the band. No crutches. Great video.

Thanks that helped. I started playing in the 60s when every time we wanted to tweak our tone we bought a whole new amp. lol The result being a lack of tech understanding. If Bands were lucky back then they had one guy that was an electrical engineer or at least had a seat of the pants ability to know what helped and what did not. Thanks for the simple explanations. You make sense.

It has taken me a long time but I'm finally starting to understand this concept.

Great tutorial Rhett...