7
Slate Digital FG-‐X Virtual Mastering Console
Its controls are the same as are commonly found in compressors. The ATTACK
parameter controls how fast the gain reduction reacts once the signal passes the
threshold. The RELEASE parameter controls how fast the reaction time should be for
the original signal to return to its original level once the signal drops below the
threshold. RATIO controls the amount of gain reduction applied once the signal passes
the threshold.
IV.1.1.
I
N
U
SE
The FG Comp can add a tight, glue-‐like effect to your mix. Start with both attack and
release at twelve o’clock and adjust from there, with the attack generally going slower
and the release going faster. For adding more punch, slow attack and fast releases are
suggested. For more transparency, you can slow down the release till the compression
feels in time with the song.
The FG Comp requires VERY little gain reduction to be useful. Generally in the mastering
stage, 1 to 2 dB of reduction will work fine, but even .5dB of reduction can give just the
amount of tightness needed.
Be aware that many mixers use a mixbuss compressor and that there are cases where
there will be NO NEED for any additional compression during the mastering stage. Don’t
use the FG Comp just because it's there, use it because your ears feel like the mix needs
some extra leveling.
One reason that compression has been common in the mastering stage is because
mastering engineers have to reduce peaks before using peak limiters to bring up the
level of the mix. Because peak limiting is so destructive, reducing peaks first with a
