Mic pre plus Compressor
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Posted on Jan 05, 2007 06:31 am
Loki
Cone Poker
Member Since: Apr 07, 2002
Ok, I wanna run my LDC into my mic pre for vocals, but I want to put a little compression on it before going into the computer... so, should I run Mic - > Pre - > Compressor -> computer, or Mic -> Compressor - > pre - > computer, or, run the mic into my mixer, the inserts going to the compressor, and the main outs going to the mic pre, then to the computer? The latter only seems to make sense if I wanna efect the sound of everything going into the computer by running it through the pre first, which I don't want.
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GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 11:06 am well Loki both ideas will work but one thing i've always gone by is, the more things you plug inot the more of a chance you'll get unwanted noise. Mic-Pre-compressor-computer , is what i'd do, and if you had insets on the pre that would rock. If you're going into the mixer that would work too but it's a little over kill since the mixer has preamps.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 07:21 pm yeah adding anything to the chain is likely to cause a little bit of noise, but I pretty much need compression on vocals while going in. It is my crutch ;)
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 09:03 pm I do the same thing too man. I either run the mic into the mixer with a compressor on an insert or i run the mic into a channel strip and that takes care of the compression need.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 09:44 pm yeah after I replace the tubes in the preamp with some better quality ones, my next upgrade will be to a better channel strip that has a good compressor on it or something. I'm really unhappy with my mixer right now.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 10:41 pm as far as channel strips go, i like the Platinum line from focusrite (in the good price range) , they don't color the sound a whole lot (which can be a good thing or bad) but are study and work better than most pres on your avrage mixer. The M-Audio Tampa is a nice box too, i like the way it works with most of the mic's i've tried. Presonus has a good rep for there higher end stuff as well. after that I'd get a UA for 1000+.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jan 05, 2007 11:09 pm yeah a UA would be nice... It'd pretty much be overkill in my room right now though, but nice.
ATChrisMusical PhilanthropistMember
Since: Nov 11, 2004
Jan 10, 2007 10:41 am With an LDC you'd have to go into the pre first - compressors usually don't like phantom power. This Joe Meek Three Qs are pretty cool it's all in one.
Jan 12, 2007 10:30 pm yep...although compressors do have 'output level' knobs, they still run at line level....and that's what your pre is for.
Jan 14, 2007 03:38 pm I'm not a singer, but just out of curiosity, why would you "Loki" need compression pre-computer?
Does this enhance your singing, or are you just worried about clipping, etc....?
Once again, just curious.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 14, 2007 08:49 pm Compression before the track is often needed unless you have a well trained vocalist. Not a lot of those about with good voice control. It helps get an even vocal recording so you don't have to mess about so much on the track itself.
Jan 14, 2007 09:00 pm Okay, I get that.
But wouldn't you rather have a raw, uncompressed sound that you can tweak later? (compression ratios, etc....) Seems like compression during tracking might take away some options later.
I'll be the first to admit I'm pretty noobish, though, and have almost no experience recording vocals.. :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 14, 2007 09:30 pm Well you are very correct in that aspect of more options to tweak later. But if you have a crap vocalist that can't sing at an even level you really need the compression before hand. You can always compress again in the mix, I know I do 9 times out of 10.
As far as taking away option though, no it really doesn't. It just gives you a good steady level to work with later. Your not trying to squeeze it to death like you would in a final mix. Your just trying to keep it level and sweet all the way through so there is less mucking about later in the mixing.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jan 15, 2007 11:52 am yeah I'm horrible at singing at an even level, so I use a slight bit of compression before the computer in order to just even the levels and most importantly keep it from clipping. I'll go back and tweak it more in the mix, but going in I'm just using a little bit o compression to smooth things out.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jan 15, 2007 11:53 am and ATChris - yeah your post made me realize i had a big moment of stupidity. lol.
Jan 15, 2007 11:56 am Quote:
why would you "Loki" need compression pre-computer?
I always compress pre-pc...not a lot all the time, but always some just to even out the track to have a decent starting point.
Jan 15, 2007 04:02 pm Cool.
I'm going to be recording my first band (other than my two-man crew) later this month, so that sounds like a valuable tip. I'm nervous as heck about it, too.
(They have a male AND female singer)
Now, hopefully my RE-20 will get here in time!
