Production question

[The Dong]

Gorman, Declan wrote:
> dynamics of the sound I don't want it to drown out every thing else.  I
> presume I should be using a compressor but as I'm still getting to grips
> with compressors I am unsure as to what settings to use.  I could be
> wrong so please correct me if I am.

Don't use a compressor. This boosts the lower volumes as well as 
crushing the peaks.
Use a limiter and/or turn the track down a little, or even better, 
adjust the velocity of the offending notes or draw some careful volume 
lines (presuming you're in a software sequencer). Maybe even adjust the 
synth patch (if it's a good synth, have the volume or velocity 
modulated/affected inversely by the filter frequency (or filter freq 
Controller) so as it opens up, the volume reduces slightly) Probably too 
much that last one :)

A compressor, used badly, will just squash everything up into a squishy 
flat cowpat of a synth line. The temptation to create squishy flat 
cowpat synth lines is too much for anyone born after 1970 sadly ;)