BY MATTHEW SIM

1. Once you engage it, it already has the tube character, with a little bit of tube buzz, which is refreshing on certain things. It gives that analog vibe.

2. On transient heavy instruments (e.g. kick, snare, toms, percussion), I love to use the Tuco compressor in mode 1 (slow attack) and the fastest release to preserve as much transient as possible. 3-5db gain reduction to start with, and I might compress more to taste. 

3. I usually have the drive up to get more grit/analog sound to it, and then adjust the output level for the distortion amount as simple as changing guitar amp gain. 

4. For non-transient heavy instruments like keyboard, synth pad, piano, strings, etc., I usually use either mode 2 or 3, if I still want a transparent compression. I will set the release to medium around  12 o’clock and adjust to taste. Usually, I am aiming for at least 5db gain reduction to get the most tone out of the compressor!

5.  “Squash mode” that’s what I’ll call it. Mode 4, stun mode! I love to use it from time to time on some instruments that I felt like it lacks character. Or I’ll use it when I want some more distortion/screwed up the vibe.

The heavy pumping compression with the distortion sometimes really helped certain instruments to sit better in the mix and gave it some low key focus. Adjust the release to taste, but I usually start with the fastest release and increase the value to get more over compress feel.