Any one else tired of the excessive compressor pumping on Lo-Fi tracks

[robussc]

I often listen to YouTube "focus" mixes while working, but the trend of pumping the mix excessively (i.e. really noticeably) is really started to grate on my nerves (and it seems to be getting worse, the trend, not the effect on my nerves!).

It really takes me out the music. I think I just need to spend more time with State Azure: https://stateazure.bandcamp.com

[huggermugger]

The pumping "trend" started years ago - where have you been? It was as hideous then as it is now.

[robussc]

The pumping "trend" started years ago - where have you been? It was as hideous then as it is now.

Ha ha. Yeah I guess so. It just seems like it's getting worse or more ubiquitous - but that's probably me just getting tired of it.

[huggermugger]

The pumping "trend" started years ago - where have you been? It was as hideous then as it is now.

Ha ha. Yeah I guess so. It just seems like it's getting worse or more ubiquitous - but that's probably me just getting tired of it.

The first time I heard it, I just thought "oh here's someone who doesn't know how to use a compressor". The next time I heard it, I started getting nervous.

[huggermugger]

Can't decide which is uglier, pumping or autotune. Either one of them easily qualifies as the mullet of the 2010's.

[DaveyG]

Can't decide which is uglier, pumping or autotune. Either one of them easily qualifies as the mullet of the 2010's.

Autotune used well should be almost undetectable. Unlike the modern trend for pop singers to sing though their noses and to not enunciate the consonants. One of these days someone will finally crack the AI singer problem and make a VST that can sing your lyrics in a realistic and believable voice. And a whole generation of kids will hate it because it doesn't sound like a Munchkin.

[bxbrkrz]

I could not stand that effect when I first heard it.

Correction: I still can't stand it.

Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (Official Music Video)

An example of Proper Compressor Etiquette to my ears:

[integerpoet]

It's like fetishizing tape effects because they make your master sound "professional" and "warm".

Oh wait. I do that. So … uh … yeah.

[TritoneAddiction]

The pumping "trend" started years ago - where have you been? It was as hideous then as it is now.

Ha ha. Yeah I guess so. It just seems like it's getting worse or more ubiquitous - but that's probably me just getting tired of it.

I feel the side chain pumping thing used to be way worse during the big house era around 10 years ago. I don't hear it nearly as much nowadays.
This was released in 2011. Listen to the drop at 1:16.

And yes like someone mentioned already, the whole autotune thing and the over use of pitch correction is really annoying. I personally find the pitch correction trend to be way worse than the pumping thing. I've waited for that trend to die off for over 20 years now. I hate it with a passion. It really sucks all life and personality out of any vocal performance. I mean don't mind a subtle tuning fix here and there. But that's generally not how it's used. Apparently people still love it.

[robussc]

@bxbrkrz - that Stardust track is the epitome of subtlety compared to what I’m hearing lol. I’ll find an example…

Here, this is what I’m talking about. Absolutely dire, I feel like I’m having deafness attacks, 2:00 min mark for maximum irritation.

[robussc]

@TritoneAddiction, even that is subtle (and musical) compared to what I’ve posted IMHO

[selig]

@bxbrkrz - that Stardust track is the epitome of subtlety compared to what I’m hearing lol. I’ll find an example…

Came here to say the same, it’s downright tame (and I dare say ‘musical’)vcompared to the other examples such as Titanium.

[PhillipOrdonez]

Ahhh stardust

What do you guys think of the pumping on "call on me"?

[PhillipOrdonez]

@bxbrkrz - that Stardust track is the epitome of subtlety compared to what I’m hearing lol. I’ll find an example…

Here, this is what I’m talking about. Absolutely dire, I feel like I’m having deafness attacks, 2:00 min mark for maximum irritation.

I think of they had reserved that effect to appear for a few bars after the drop it would have been a much better and effective use of it. Throughout, like it is, yeah, annoying and take away from the music.

[dvdrtldg]

I am so fucking sick of "lo fi". The pumping is one thing, but the tape warble/vinyl crackle slathered all over everything is even more annoying to me. It's such a stale cliche

[Jackjackdaw]

I really like the pumping, it’s visceral, can suck the air out of my lungs. I love it.

[TritoneAddiction]

The pumping can have its place if it's not overdone. I use it in some songs here, but often in pretty subtle ways. I don't think most people would even notice.
The Blackbird example is too much for me personally. It gets annoying after a while.

Tape warble/vinyl crackle I have no problem with. Same with hiss noise. It may be a cliche and done to death at this point. But I like the way it feels. It creates a feeling of warmth.

[EdGrip]

Music is just sounds doing rhythmical things, guys. You seem to be keeping a list of right and wrong rhythmical things. Strong "old man shakes fist at cloud" vibes in this thread.

Feeling that a sound is overused is one thing, but I repeatedly come across this sentiment that pumping is just misuse of tools - a sentiment that often seems to come from old engineers who come across as bitter that they spent entire careers learning to use the tools properly and never thought to put the proverbial tea-cosy on their head just to see if it was fun.

[selig]

The pumping can have its place if it's not overdone. I use it in some songs here, but often in pretty subtle ways. I don't think most people would even notice.
The Blackbird example is too much for me personally. It gets annoying after a while.

Tape warble/vinyl crackle I have no problem with. Same with hiss noise. It may be a cliche and done to death at this point. But I like the way it feels. It creates a feeling of warmth.

I'm almost the opposite. If the "pumping" effect comes not from compression but from a synth patch with a filter opening I hear it more as a musical effect than a technical effect (if that makes sense).

But vinyl crackle and hiss, these are things I had to fight to get rid of for YEARS so they always just sound "wrong" to my ears. As for warble, it's been used on synths forever, and as an effect dating back to the Beatles era IIRC, and I still like a little subtle warble on things from time to time (Arturia's MELLO-FI is my go to, obviously with the hiss/mechanics muted!).