Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

 
PUNCH!
 
People use the word "punchy" to mean different things, so often there is confusion when somebody says a particular pedal or sound is "punchy" and the next person doesn't hear it that way. For some people, it is a sharp clear attack at the leading edge of each note; for others it is the "hump" of amplitude peak that comes a few milliseconds after the leading edge. So for example, comparing the EBS MultiComp with the Demeter Compulator, each of them will sound "more punchy" or "less punchy" compared to the other, depending on the expectations of the person listening. Either way though, compressors in general improve punchiness by increasing the amount of time the signal stays near its peak amplitude. That way there is a greater perception of "loudness" at or near the beginning of each note, without raising the overall level of the signal, which helps your sound punch through the mix without overwhelming the other instruments.
 
You can achieve a more punchy sound with your comp by carefully listening to the way your signal is being compressed, and using whatever controls and indicators are available to adjust the response so that the first moment of each note, maybe around 200 to 400 mS, is being compressed and held at a steady level for that short time. Ideally you would use a high ratio (maybe 8:1 or so) and a hard knee, and a slow attack may also help depending on your playing style. I find that it helps to visualize the wave shape of the signal: try to picture a line showing the envelope of each note rising and falling, and adjust that line in your mind as you adjust the controls of the compressor, trying to match what you see with what you hear. Ideally you will achieve a signal that has a high plateau at the beginning, then drops off sharply, and then trails away with a smooth slope.

 
 
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