What is New York Compression?

New York compression is a mixing technique where a heavily compressed version of a signal is blended with the original uncompressed signal to create a powerful and punchy sound while preserving natural dynamics.

This technique works by sending a signal, often from a drum bus or instrument group, to a separate channel where strong compression is applied. The compressed signal is then mixed back together with the original signal, creating a thicker and more energetic sound.

New York compression became popular in New York recording studios, especially in drum mixing for rock, pop, and hip-hop music. It is essentially a form of parallel compression, often used to enhance impact, sustain, and overall presence in a mix.