just to add - mixing through a compressor on the master buss is NOT the same as applying a compressor in the mastering stage.
I often mix through a gentle compressor at the right setting - the important thing is to mix through it, not to slap it on after the fact. It will affect the tonal balance of the track and mixing through it from early on is the only way to do it properly. I dont always do it, but I do do it often.
Pretty much 90% of pop records from the last couple of decades that were mixed on SSL consoles will have been mixed through the buss comp on there...
I often mix through a gentle compressor at the right setting - the important thing is to mix through it, not to slap it on after the fact. It will affect the tonal balance of the track and mixing through it from early on is the only way to do it properly. I dont always do it, but I do do it often.
Pretty much 90% of pop records from the last couple of decades that were mixed on SSL consoles will have been mixed through the buss comp on there...