How to Choose the Right Compressor Without Overthinking It

 Let’s be honest—compression is one of those concepts that takes a while to fully click. There are so many types—Optical, VCA, FET, Vari-Mu, Diode Bridge—and for a lot of home studio musicians, it just adds to the overwhelm.

In my latest video, I break down what each of these compressors actually does—in plain English. I talk about how they sound, where I like to use them, and how you can stop overthinking your choices and get on with the mix.

We cover:

• The tonal character and behaviour of each type

• Where each one shines (vocals? drums? mix bus?)

• Real-world examples to help you “hear” what’s happening

This isn’t another 10 minute overview video—it’s designed to help you build mix confidence by developing your critical listening skills first so you can make better compression decisions.

👉 Watch the video here