How to Apply Dynamics Processing

Dynamics processors – often overused and sometimes misunderstood – can make or break mixing and mastering projects. This book goes beyond explaining how dynamics processors work by giving essential tips on how their proper application can help make better music. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include how to apply limiters, compressors, noise gates, expanders, maximizers, saturation, and multiband dynamics, whether in hardware or software form.

Loaded with examples of real-world dynamics processors to explain their similarities and differences, How to Apply Dynamics Processing ventures further than similar books by covering dynamics processing with MIDI data, as well as “manual” dynamics processing done with recording software (phrase-by-phrase normalization for narration, “micro-mastering” to allow greater apparent volume when mastering, parallel dynamics, and more). There's also valuable information on how to achieve the most transparent effects possible, creative uses of sidechaining, and how to use creative “squashing” as an effect to obtain “vintage” compression sounds.

Chock full of illustrations and featuring selected “tech talk” sidebars to give details on specific topics for those who want to know “why” as well as “how,” How to Apply Dynamics Processing tells everything today's musicians need to get the most out of these versatile processors.

About the Author

Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered over 20 major label recordings, did session work in New York in the 1970s on guitar and keyboards, played Carnegie Hall, and more recently, mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists. His onstage career spans from the 60s to current, EDM-oriented solo performances. As an author, he co-founded Electronic Musician magazine, and has written over 35 books on musical electronics and over a thousand articles. He has also lectured on technology and the arts in 10 countries, 38 U.S. states, and three languages.