Vance Powell demonstrates his approach to parallel drum compression using two distinct compressors: the Neve 33609 for enhancing punch and attack, and the Fatso unit for adding character and saturation.
He shares his methodical setup, applying the 33609 to the kick, snare, toms, and overheads, while excluding room and front mics to maintain clarity. Powell targets around 4 dB of compression with specific settings, including a zero threshold and 100ms recovery time, to sharpen the drum attack.
The "drum crush bus" with the Fatso was discovered accidentally, providing a unique, fattened sound by processing only the kick and snare. Powell's technique highlights the importance of selective processing to achieve a dynamic and impactful drum mix.