How to NAIL Vocal Compression: One Compressor or Two?

Jul 26, 2021 | 261,132 Views

Compressing vocals with one plugin can either not do enough, or do too much and suck the life out of your voice. Is serial compression the answer? No, we have a better, foolproof method. Watch how!

Want to know how the pros get their vocal tracks sitting upfront in a mix? The key is to stack two compressors in series with one clamping down on loud peak moments with the other acting as a glue to help softer moments cut through the mix.

This is a tried a tested method, BUT, there’s an alternative way to double bagging compression that’s simpler, all within one plugin, sounds super transparent and can be set in less than 3 clicks of a mouse. Want to know what this plugin is and how it can revolutionise your vocal mixing chain?

Watch this video to learn one of the BEST kept vocal compressor plugin secrets around.

0:00 Introduction
0:16 Why compression of vocals is essential
1:06 Too much vs. too little compression – What to watch out for
1:58 Why using two compressors on vocals is smart
2:43 The dual compressor your vocal tracks are missing
3:55 Mystery vocal compressor plugin control tour
5:22 Hear more examples

[{"nodeGUID":"72c09481-6b09-44ad-8639-b9219eff2557","nodeID":128,"documentName":"CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter","documentID":128,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/cla-2a-compressor-limiter","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/cla-2a-compressor-limiter.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":34.990000000,"discount":77,"mainOrder":10008,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":91,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"CLA2ATDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Modeled on the legendary electro-optical tube compressor, this plugin emulates the original\u2019s smooth frequency-dependent behaviors which made it a favorite of engineers everywhere.","tagline":"Smooth, warm, natural-sounding tube compression","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Compressors","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"800\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":980,"rating":4.8448977,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"346bc682-4c05-4b53-a96d-7f8372fb4c0c","nodeID":130,"documentName":"CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter","documentID":130,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/cla-76-compressor-limiter","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/cla-76-compressor-limiter.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":34.990000000,"discount":77,"mainOrder":10014,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":95,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"CLA76TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Inspired by the famed mid-\u201860s Class A line level limiting amplifier, Waves CLA-76 compressor plugin offers the superfast attack that made the original studio legends.","tagline":"Super-fast FET compression with legendary tone","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Compressors","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"800\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":885,"rating":4.8305087,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"11f4ef8f-20eb-4bfa-b818-62f282ee49e4","nodeID":233,"documentName":"MV2","documentID":233,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/mv2","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/mv2.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":34.990000000,"discount":65,"mainOrder":10027,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":333,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"MV2TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"With high and low level compression controlled by a streamlined interface and intuitive dual faders, the MV2 compressor plugin keeps your dynamics in check and maximizes your volume instantly.","tagline":"Dual high-level/low-level compressor","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"100\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":393,"rating":4.816794,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"2546cfa1-f3e7-4fcd-aca0-966d0e32431d","nodeID":263,"documentName":"Renaissance Compressor","documentID":263,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/renaissance-compressor","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/renaissance-compressor.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":34.990000000,"discount":65,"mainOrder":10033,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":188,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-RCD40","note":"","documentPageDescription":"The gold standard for smooth, great-sounding compression, R-Comp has delivered musical results for countless top engineers and musicians. Features vintage Opto and modern Electro modes.","tagline":"Classic, multi-application compressor and expander","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Compressors","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"200\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":202,"rating":4.767327,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""}]