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Andrew Choi was already a hidden force in real-world K-pop before becoming Jinu, the soulful lead of the animated boy band Saja Boys, a member of the K-Pop Demon Hunters. Choi co-wrote the quiet....
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Let’s be honest: when most pop stars go quiet, we assume they’re recharging in Bali, journaling in silk robes. Not Justin Bieber. Nah, he went into full stealth mode, dropped a random “SWAG”...
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It’s official: KATSEYE didn’t just sell out, they served out. Every single ticket to their upcoming live shows? Gone. Vamoosed. Snatched like a wig in a wind tunnel.The global girl group, part...
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Cue the frosted tips, cargo pants, and emotional harmonies, because the Backstreet Boys just dropped Millennium 2.0, and let’s just say, everybody (yeahhh!) is losing their minds.Yes, that’s right...
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Tyla just slid into our summer soundtrack with her new track “IS IT”, and let me tell you, it is everything. No cap. Straight off the jump, you get those booming amapiano kicks and warped vocal...
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The wait is officially over: Blackpink is back—louder, bolder, and more united than ever. On the opening night of their highly anticipated Deadline World Tour, the global K-pop phenomenon debuted...
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Justin Bieber has never been a stranger to the spotlight—but this time, the glare feels more personal. In a series of emotional posts, the global superstar cracked open the curated image fans often...
Read moreJuly 13, 2025
When Coldplay’s Chris Martin looked out into the crowd at Toronto’s brand-new Rogers Stadium on July 8 and joked, “This is a very bizarre stadium a million miles from Earth,” we all laughed—but he...
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Read moreJuly 13, 2025
K-pop Demon Hunters, the latest fantasy-action flick, debuted on July 4, 2025, and it’s already topping charts globally. Mixing the glitz of K-pop with anime-style demon battles, the film follows a...
Read moreJuly 10, 2025
On July 7, 2025, Pearl Jam’s powerhouse drummer Matt Cameron announced he was stepping away from the band that became his musical home for nearly three decades. With a simple yet heartfelt...
Read moreJuly 10, 2025
When Black Sabbath took their final bow on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, it wasn’t just the end of an era for heavy metal—it was a deeply personal moment for countless fans whose lives...
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Compression is one of the most crucial tools in any beatmaker's toolkit, shaping the dynamics of your track and helping achieve that punchy, polished sound. Whether you're making hip-hop, EDM, or lo-fi beats, understanding compression can help you bring clarity to your mix while maintaining the energy and flow of your beat. Let's explore how compression works, some key techniques to use, and examples from famous beatmakers who have mastered the art of compression.
Compression reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal, making the quieter parts louder and the louder parts quieter. For beatmakers, this is especially useful for controlling the dynamics of drums, bass, and synths, ensuring that no element overwhelms the others.
Compression is key for making your drums, especially kicks and snares, punchy and tight. By using a fast attack and release time, you can control transients (the initial hit of a sound), giving them more impact. Sidechain compression is another useful technique, especially for creating space between kick and bass elements in beat-heavy genres.
Example: Kanye West's production is a masterclass in compression, with his beats in tracks like "Black Skinhead" showcasing aggressive yet precise compression that brings the drums to the forefront without overwhelming the mix.
Beyond adding punch, compression also helps create clarity by controlling overly dynamic elements, such as fluctuating vocal samples or synth lines. Too much dynamic range can cause some parts of your beat to get lost in the mix. With compression, you can ensure that all elements remain balanced and audible.
Example: In the world of lo-fi beatmaking, producers like J Dilla utilized compression to give his iconic drum samples a tighter, more defined sound without sacrificing the laid-back vibe of his tracks.
Parallel compression, or "New York compression," is a powerful technique for achieving a thicker sound. It involves mixing a heavily compressed version of a track with the original uncompressed signal. This can help you retain the dynamics and punch of your drums while adding more body and sustain.
Example: Dr. Dre often uses parallel compression to give his drum patterns that signature "thick" sound while keeping the beat sharp and dynamic. You can hear this technique on many of his productions, especially in the heavy West Coast hip-hop sound.
While compression is essential, overcompressing can kill the natural dynamics of your track and make it sound flat or lifeless. It’s crucial to use compression tastefully to enhance your track rather than squash it.
Example: Metro Boomin’s minimalist approach to beatmaking is a great lesson in using just the right amount of compression. His beats often have a spacious, airy quality where every element sits perfectly in the mix without feeling over-processed.
Learning how to use compression effectively can take your beats to the next level. By focusing on the punch and clarity of your mix, experimenting with techniques like sidechain and parallel compression, and taking inspiration from producers like Kanye West, J Dilla, and Dr. Dre, you'll be well on your way to crafting polished, professional-sounding tracks.
Compression might seem like a complex tool, but once you grasp the basics, it can significantly enhance your beat-making process.