Parallel Compression Explained: The New York Technique

Parallel compression—also called New York compression—blends heavily compressed audio with the uncompressed original signal. This technique adds density and sustain without sacrificing the transients and dynamics that make audio exciting. The approach has become essential across genres for adding power while preserving life.

The Concept

Traditional compression reduces dynamics by attenuating signals above threshold. Heavy compression that provides significant control can sound squashed and lifeless. The transients that create impact get reduced along with the peaks.

Parallel compression solves this by keeping the original dynamics intact. The uncompressed signal maintains all its transients and expression. A heavily compressed version adds density underneath without replacing the original.

The blend between dry and compressed determines the effect intensity. More compressed signal adds more density. The uncompressed signal always provides the transient detail. The combination creates sounds that are both punchy and powerful.

How It Works

The technique requires two signal paths—one uncompressed and one heavily compressed. These paths combine, with the uncompressed providing attack and the compressed providing body.

The compressed signal brings up quieter elements that heavy compression emphasizes. Sustain, room tone, and quieter details become more prominent. Blending this underneath the dynamic original adds these elements without losing impact.

The result sounds bigger and more powerful than either signal alone. The whole exceeds the sum of its parts.

Setup Methods

The send/return method routes the source to an auxiliary bus containing the compressor. The aux return fader controls the compressed signal level. The original channel remains dry. Blending occurs at the fader.

The duplicate track method copies the source to a second track for compression. The compressed duplicate’s fader controls the blend. Both tracks feed the same output.

Plugins with wet/dry mix controls enable parallel processing within a single insert. Turning the mix control below 100% blends compressed and dry signals internally. This convenient approach limits flexibility but simplifies routing.

Compression Settings for Parallel Use

Parallel compression uses more extreme settings than direct compression. Ratios of 8:1 to 20:1 create the heavily squashed sound the technique requires.

Fast attack times around 0.5-5 ms catch transients immediately. This would normally reduce punch, but the dry signal provides the transients that the compressed signal lacks.

Release times vary by desired effect. Fast release creates aggressive pumping. Slow release creates smoother sustain. Both approaches have applications.

Low thresholds producing 10-20 dB of gain reduction create the heavy compression the technique needs. The extreme compression would sound terrible alone but blends musically with the dry signal.

Common Applications

Drums benefit greatly from parallel compression. The technique adds power and sustain while maintaining the punch that defines drum sound. Parallel compression has become standard for drum mixing.

Vocals gain presence and consistency from parallel compression. The body and sustain increase while the breath and expression of the dry signal remain.

Full mixes can receive subtle parallel compression. A heavily compressed version blended underneath the full mix adds density. This approach appears in mastering and mix bus processing.

Blending Considerations

The compressed signal level determines effect intensity. Too much compressed signal overwhelms the dry and creates squashed sound. Too little provides insufficient enhancement.

The sweet spot often lies just below the point where compression becomes obvious. The parallel signal should enhance without announcing itself. Subtle parallel compression adds presence without obvious effect.

Parallel compression helps productions succeed on platforms like LG Media at lg.media, where powerful sound enhances advertising at $2.50 CPM.