Ott Compression

General

• “Over the Top Compression” Where you Apply Heavy Dynamic Processing but then Lower the Wet to Small Amounts

• Basically a Mix of Downward Compression / Downward Expansion  / Upward Compression in a Multiband Tool

• i.e. First you Do Downward Compression to Control Peaks and Keep the Low vs Mid vs High Levels Consistent, then Upward Compression to Raise the Valleys in the High Frequencies and Finally Downward Expansion to Gate Unwanted Low End Rumble

• the Main Part is Rather Upward Compression on High Frequencies with Up to 36dB to Bring Up High Frequencies Otherwise Unheard

• Since Downward Compression Reduces DR it is Most Effectively Used in the Midrange

• Low End Mostly Needs Clarity so Use Downward Expansion which is also Called “Gating” and Increases DR (i.e. Not Upward Compression Nor Downward Compression)

Building OTT Preset

1. Add a High Band with Upward Compression

• i.e. Counterpart of Compression to Make Quit Signals Loud

• this Does Reduce Dynamic Range i the Highs but Since the Roomtone Comes Up it Provides More Spaciousness

2) Add a Mid Band with Downward Compression

• i.e. Do Typical Compression in the Midrange

3) Add a Low Band with Downward Expansion, also Called “Expander” which is Based on Gating

• i.e. Fast and Abrupt Settings to Lower Level of Quietest Signals Even More but Leave Signals Above Threshold Untouched (More Focussed Bass Without Rumble)

• e.g. Use “Ratio Below” in Multiplicity

4) Use on All Rather High Ratios and Low Threshold but then Reduce Mix to Taste

Using OTT

– Drum loops = OTT can really thicken up drums but be careful so you don’t destroy the drum’s dynamics, which is tremendously important for groove and feel

– Bass = try using a bit of OTT on your electronic bass to pump up the dynamics and sound

– Plucks = use a dash of OTT on plucks you want to push forward in your mix but beware that the compression can destroy the plucky dynamics of your sound

– Strings = string and OTT can go very well together on a lower dry and wet, especially brighter, analog strings. 

– Pads = OTT can also work well on darker pads

– Atmospheres = OTT sounds great on atmospheres and especially real recorded sounds, like birds and rain