How to interpret terms used here:
Make . create sound channels (an instrument; drum rack; noise; vocals; voice ...)
Mix . sound channels to create track/song
Master . tracks to create album/project
My understanding/conceptualisation of compression
Compression is a form of manipulation for the dynamic range
. dynamic range refers to the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds
Compression can help
. create interesting sounds (make)
. mix sounds to make a track (mix)
. Provide consistency in an album/project (master)
Compression
. consider in terms of compartments for particular instruments or timbres in a track
. .send/return could help apply the same effect/compression to >=2 sound channels
. uncompressed, sounds could be too harsh, unclear or cluttered/too central
.. compression facilitates a clearer mixing of sounds in terms of time (arrangement) and space (stereo imaging)
I'm not an expert, but Deadmau5 makes some good tunes and I agree with him
. my take on his attitude to compression is that it sounds better if you "compress as you go", rather than "compressing everything" at the end of the work cycle, be that in the mix or in mastering
. else, you run the risk of producing "sausages" or loud, boring stuff
==> play with the dynamics, don't destroy them
Compression can also
. make your tracks seem louder => "perceptual loudness"
.. how loud a track seems depends on the average or sustained loudness (volume)
... compression flattens out peaks and troughs and can give impression of increased volume
e.g. adverts on TV often use compression --> they seem much louder than they really are!
.. it's often used by radio stations to present a more consistent character of sound
