YES...ANOTHER COMPRESSION QUESTION

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Member Since: Mar 11, 2007

Hello Hrc...I am using an Art tube pre amp going into a alesis 3630 compressor...I know that further compression may or may not be needed when you get to the mix stage...Is it ok to compress before the mix...I am going into a delta 44 and finally into Nuendo 3 or Protools Le...what would be a good setting to you for the compressor also.

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Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 06:18 pm

In theory, if your compression is correct on any given track, then further compression is unnecessary, given we're talking about an individual track. If your compression on individual tracks is good and you're compressing in the mastering stage, thats a different story all together. I would think that would depend on the ear that's mastering it. My 2 Cents, IMHO.

Member
Since: Mar 11, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 08:09 pm

I am so sorry...I meant that I am recording only vocals through this compressor...no instruments at all...just vocals.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 08:26 pm

Well, either way, I think what I said before stands true. What kind of vocal are we talking about, spoken word, voice over or other?? If you're talking about singing, then the above stand true I think; if you're talking about voice over or spoken word, you shouldn't need a compressor. Sorry if I'm not getting it, I guess I just don't fully understand what you're doing/ and/or effect you're after.

Member
Since: Mar 11, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 09:03 pm

Im sorry...r/b...hip hop...gospel rap...etc...other tracks are midi'd to pc.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 09:12 pm

Ah, ok. So in my opinion, you shouldn't have to compress a track like that at all. You have to "play" the mic, like you would an instrument- mind your distance and such. If you do need to compress it, you should only have to do it once: try using a soft knee, a quick attack, moderate release and a 5:1 ratio, should do the trick- in fact, you'll prolly have to back off most of those parameters. Here's a really good article to read if you haven't already- it taught me some things I thought I already knew: www.homerecordingconnecti...ory&id=1470

Member
Since: Mar 11, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 09:35 pm

so basically just leave the compression for the mixing.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 09:44 pm

Actually, your compression should be done on the track as it's recorded. During the mixing stage is when you fine tune the song as a whole.

Member
Since: Mar 11, 2007


Feb 24, 2008 10:22 pm

Ok for the wrap up...record vocals normally...mike to pre amp...to compressor to soundcard to pc...to nuendo...and then fine tune the vocals (with plugin compression) with the rest of the tracks..and sweeten to taste...right?

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Feb 25, 2008 07:03 pm

I record vocals without an external compressor as I don't have one :) It is nice to have as you can bring in a hotter signal and not worry too much about clipping. I think the age old rule is don't overdo it, you can always compress more later but can never really take it away.

Member
Since: Apr 06, 2007


Mar 11, 2008 03:52 am

I think you are right in a way CptTripps, but the thing is that nowadays recording too hot is not that important as in the old days, the 24 bits of resolution in most DAW's have a very low noise floor, so no compression is good, the only times i use compression is when there is a very dramatic change in the dynamics of the instrument im recording, for example if im recording voice and the singer is singing mostly in a soft way and sudenly he screams, i'll use a compressor, but in general terms i thinks its better not to record compressed tracks.

I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007


Mar 11, 2008 09:17 am

I disagree, Dual. I think running just a small amount of compression while recording the initial track is a good thing. Especially, on vocals, drums, and some slap style bass. The starting attack or plosives can clip a track as where the rest of the performance won't. So, if you run a soft knee compressor with a high threshold and quick attack, you can cut the clipping and still have a dynamic performance.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 11, 2008 09:19 am

I tend to agree with Cynic, with some sound sources I compress while recording, if even used as a limiter, sometimes it's necessary, and makes working with the track easier in later processes.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 11, 2008 11:26 am

I'm with dual. Compression is a tool. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you want to prevent clips in a dramatically dynamic track, use a limiter. Using compression on everything is kind of like eqing everything just because. If you need to bring up the volume, ok, compress. Having some dynamics though can add a lot of atmosphere to a track. Compression will just take that away.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 11, 2008 11:37 am

Over compression takes that away. Light compression will help tame some crazy peaks yet leave plenty of dynamics and can actually add some warmth.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Mar 11, 2008 11:37 am

2 cents.

That ART tube pre will likely add a little limiting/compression just by being in the signal chain. Something to keep an eye/ear on.

I agree that sometimes a little compression during tracking is just the ticket.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 11, 2008 11:56 am

I'm not agianst using compression. I do happen to have an outboard compressor. I use it mainly for color and to boost signal. I don't think compression should be on everything though. It's supposed to be about the ears. If it sounds good, why compress?


Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 11, 2008 12:01 pm

Regarding the Art "tube" pre, it is a starved plate design. That is, the tube doesn't get the full 250v that it needs to function properly so, if the signal is actually going through that tube at all, it will take far less gain to cause tube "compression" (actually soft clipping in this case). Some people like that sound. Personally, solid state adds more to warmth than any tube can. IE: Urei 1176, UA LA2A.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 11, 2008 12:09 pm

I believe it is all about the ears also, I also do not have an outboard compressor therefore all tracks I capture have the full dynamic range. I was simply responding to this...

Quote:
Having some dynamics though can add a lot of atmoshpere to a track. Compression will just take that away.


Compression "can" take it away if overused. The way it was worded seemed like simply turning the compressor on would suck all life from a track. I know what you mean, and so do you, but someone else may not and I just wanted to clarify.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Mar 11, 2008 12:18 pm

Right. My bad.

Member
Since: Apr 06, 2007


Mar 11, 2008 02:04 pm

Dont get me wrong, i use compresson all the time, but as i said i dont use it while recording unless its necessary. If the intrument im recording has a big dynamic range i'll use one, the thing is that i try to have plenty of headroom while im recording, i noticed that some sequencers clip before the clip light is turned on. In that way a compressor might help, but again only when necessary.

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