[LAU] Smoothing congas

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Sun, 2014-09-14 at 20:48 +0100, Harry van Haaren wrote:
> A compressor is generally used for this: try a ratio of 2:1, middle
> setting for attack & release time, no make-up gain.
> 
> While listening to a 4 bar loop of the congas, bring down the
> threshold down, and find where it starts to have an effect. Find
> something suitable, that it removes a little of the peak, but not too
> much: use your ears :)
> 
> With those settings, try changing the attack , and see what setting
> works well. A longer attack on a compressor allows the initial "peak"
> to cut trough, and then compression will kick in. Shorter attacks will
> tame all the peaks, but will give a somewhat unnatural sound.

IMO that's a good advice for somebody who start learning how to handle
this issue.