Compression question (specifically in the game compressionist):
How do you hear the difference between ratios? I can hear the difference between attack times and how it affects the character of the transients, but when the only thing changing is the ratio, what am I listening for? I understand that the ratio is how much compression is applied, but I'm not hearing a difference right now.
If you're not already doing this, start only playing that game with HD drums to get your ears used to those sound samples. In certain samples, the difference is almost nothing, but other times its super obvious. What to look for:
2:1 ratio can sound clean whereas 8:1 can sound washed out and dirty, also making the kit sound like it's in another room. In that game, the bottom attack time is like 10 ms I think and the top one is 100ms, something like that. well when you hear the attack times, the 10ms one sounds like dirty and washed out, but up to like 75 and 100 ms it sounds clean and punchy. Well I noticed that the 8:1 ratio also sounds dirty and washed out like the 10 ms attack time, so a 10 ms attack time with an 8:1 ratio sounds really washy and bad. when a question is that answer, it's one of the easiest for me to immediately detect because those two options together sound really specific and... well bad. 2:1 sounds cleaner like the 75-100 ms attack time.
Another thing to listen for when changing ratios is the relationship of the cymbals with the rest of the kit. I mostly notice ratio in the cymbals, it can make the cymbals push back and forth in the stereo image. I also notice ratio in the snare, it changes how long the tail is on the snare, basically making the snare range from tight sounding to loose sounding. or it kind of changes what room it sounds like the snare is in, if that makes sense. Like the delay or reverb feel of the snare changes. If the cymbals and the snare isn't giving it away, be sure to listen closely to the kick too, once in a blue moon it's actually the kick that gives it away, but usually its cymbals and snare that it's easier to hear in. I hope this helps have fun!
