TK Audio BC1-S - Manual (Page 4)

DRUMS
The BC1-S can go from subtle to pretty slamming compression on a drum bus and here are a
few good starting points. Make a habit of adjusting the Make-up gain until the compressed
signal is equally loud as the uncompressed signal, and toggle the Comp in button to listen
what’s actually happening to the drums when they are compressed.
A TOUCH OF DRUM COMPRESSION
Adjust the Threshold until the compression meter shows about 2 dB of gain reduction. The
effect should be very subtle and just make the drums come together without adding or altering
the kick or snare drum.
Threshold: 0 to +5 dB
Ratio: 2:1
HFP: ON
Attack: 3 ms
Release: AUTO
Make-up: 9 o’clock
Blend: Comp
TIGHT DRUM COMPRESSION
To tighten up the drum bus without altering the drums too much, a low ratio should be used.
Adjust the Threshold until about 3 or 4 dB of compression is done.
Threshold: -5 to -10 dB
Ratio: 2:1
HFP: ON
Attack: 10 ms
Release: 100 ms
Make-up: 9 to 11 o’clock
Blend: Comp
HARD DRUM COMPRESSION
Applying hard drum compression will alter the sound of the snare drum and cymbals but in a
dense mix that might be the right thing to do. Adjust the Threshold until about 5 to 6 dB of
compression is shown.
Threshold: -5 to -10 dB
Ratio: 4:1
HFP: ON
Attack: 10 ms
Release: 50 or 100 ms
Make-up: 12 to 1 o’clock
Blend: Comp