Parallel Compression Explained: The New York Technique

Parallel compression (also called "New York compression") is one of the most powerful mixing techniques in modern music production. It allows you to add punch, power, and sustain to drums, vocals, and full mixes while maintaining natural dynamics. If your mixes sound weak or lack energy, parallel compression is the solution.

What is Parallel Compression?

Instead of applying compression directly to your track, you:

1. Duplicate the track (or send it to a bus)
2. Apply heavy compression to the duplicate
3. Blend the compressed signal with the original

This gives you the power and sustain of heavy compression without losing the natural dynamics of the original signal. It's the best of both worlds.

Why It Works

Normal compression reduces dynamic range - it makes loud parts quieter and quiet parts louder. This can make your mix sound controlled but can also sound squashed and lifeless.

Parallel compression lets you keep the transients and dynamics of the original signal while adding a heavily compressed layer underneath that brings up the sustain and body. The result is powerful yet natural-sounding.

Setting Up Parallel Compression

Method 1: Using a Send/Return (Bus)

This is the standard approach:

1. Create a new aux/bus track in your DAW
2. Send your track to this bus (post-fader)
3. Insert a compressor on the bus with aggressive settings (see below)
4. Blend the bus level to taste (usually 10-30% of the dry signal)

Method 2: Track Duplication

1. Duplicate your track
2. Apply heavy compression to the duplicate
3. Lower the volume of the compressed track and blend

The send method is cleaner and more flexible, but duplication works too.

Compressor Settings for Parallel Compression

Here's where parallel compression differs from normal compression:

• Ratio: Aggressive - 6:1 to 10:1 (or even higher)
• Threshold: Low - aim for 10-20dB of gain reduction
• Attack: Fast (0.1-1ms) to catch transients OR slow (30-50ms) to let transients through
• Release: Fast to medium (50-150ms) for energy
• Make-up gain: Adjust so both tracks are balanced

These are extreme settings that would destroy your track if applied directly - but when blended, they add incredible power.

Applications

Drums (The Classic Use)

Parallel compression was born in drum mixing. It brings out the room sound and sustain of drums while keeping the punch of the transients.

Best on:

• Full drum bus
• Snare (adds body and snap)
• Kick (adds weight and sustain)
• Overheads (brings out cymbals and room)

Vocals

Parallel compression on vocals adds presence and power without making them sound over-processed. Use less aggressive settings than drums - 4:1 to 6:1 ratio.

Bass

Adds consistency and weight to bass without squashing the dynamics. Particularly useful for live bass recordings.

Full Mix

Some producers use parallel compression on the entire mix bus for extra glue and energy. Be subtle here - too much will kill your dynamics.

Advanced Techniques

EQ the Compressed Signal

Try EQing your parallel compression bus:

• High-pass around 100-200Hz to add punch without mud
• Boost mids for aggression
• Cut harsh frequencies before compression

Distortion + Parallel Compression

For even more aggression, add saturation or distortion before or after the compressor on your parallel chain. This works great on drums and bass.

Multiple Parallel Buses

Advanced move: create multiple parallel compression buses:

• One for punch (fast attack)
• One for sustain (slow attack)
• One with distortion

Blend all three for complete control.

Using Our Parallel Compressor

While you can build parallel compression routing manually, it's time-consuming. Our free Parallel Compressor Patcher preset gives you one-rack New York compression with all the routing pre-configured. Just load it and dial in your blend.

Common Mistakes

Too much blend: Parallel compression is powerful. Start with the compressed bus at -∞dB and slowly bring it up. A little goes a long way.

Wrong attack time: Fast attack adds punch, slow attack adds sustain. Know which you want.

No make-up gain: The compressed signal will be quieter. Add make-up gain so you're comparing the timbres, not the volumes.

Parallel Compression vs. Regular Compression

Use regular compression when:

• You need to control dynamics (like leveling a vocal)
• You want a controlled, polished sound
• You need transparency

Use parallel compression when:

• You want to add power and energy
• You need to keep transients
• You want an aggressive, punchy sound
• You're working on drums or full mixes

Conclusion

Parallel compression is a game-changer for mix power and energy. It takes practice to get the blend right, but once you master it, you'll use it on almost every mix. Start with drums, experiment with vocals and bass, and always compare with the bypass to make sure you're improving the sound, not just making it louder.