Consistent Compression Settings?

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

I've been recording for a while and I've found a compression setting which works for my vocal fluctuation, which is very extreme. I "play the mic" very well, and I'm an experienced vocalist. (5 years exp.) That given, this setting works for the 4 songs I've tried it on to keep things in check and sound professional, to my ear at least.

I was wondering if pre-setting something like this might bring up issues later on the mixing, mastering, or even recording sectors, as I've never really used pre-sets for effects of this nature. I use my personally pre-set reverbs for tracking and adjust them to the song, but the compression on the vocal is something which I'm almost sure is a case by case cause. This taken into effect, is it possible to use a basic pre-set for compression and adjust it like any other, or is it an effect which should be taken from the ground up?

I'm really, REALLY curious for an answer on this one. Though specific, I'm sure lots of other people ask themselves the same question. I know it's all about the end product, but I'm trying to figure out the best, most efficient venue to get there! :)

Also on a side note, if anyone knows how to automate effects in Sonar 7, which I've asked before and am still clueless, please give me a shout.

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Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jul 02, 2008 02:42 am

I don't think there's anything wrong with using presets on compression especially with settings you've found to work well for your style, though I think in most cases you still need to tweak it to fit the particular song/performance.

Automating effects in Sonar is pretty straight forward. Just r-click on a track in an empty spot or a clip if you want an envelope that affects only that clip/portion of clip, and chose Envelopes->the-effect-you-want-automate and there will be alist of the paramaters you can automate chose the parameter you want. Click on the Automation Write button [W], start the song playing and make your adjustments, when done turn automation write off, and make sure the automation read [RD] button is on.

Dan


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 02, 2008 10:13 pm

Keith, starting with a preset you know works is probably the best way to get what you need in the end.

I've stored up hundred's of presets for lots of my FX over the years and some are marked or named to describe either the track, tune or whatever they were used on.

Say I use the PSP Vintage Warmer. I have a preset simply named Weak Drums. It was aimed at a stereo mix of drums only, but there is the Weak Drums Full version that is aimed at a final master mix.

What it does is use a little bit of the Parametric EQ and some heavy compression to bring out a quiet or weak drum sound and make it sound like a bigger, louder kit.

So ya, the way you are doing it is the way many of us have done it for years.

In the old days of all analog gear I kept note books full of settings and the songs or track they were used on. Then I could simply go back and knowing what I wanted look up exactly what I wanted and how I had set it up previously. Saved a lot of headache in the end.

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


Jul 07, 2008 06:45 am

Caution: Contains random content.

Thanks Dan and Noize for the input. I do, indeed, adjust for the song as needed, but I'm at an odds with "ducking," something I'm struggling to learn; just can't seem to get the hang of it.

I usually preset my effects when I record at home because it just makes sense; the room, the mics, the interface and preamps, etc. it just saves time and works in general if you're using the same techniques consistently. I figured presets were common, but compression is a veritable force, so I wasn't sure on it.

My buddy gave me a 20 space rack stack of his old gear and I'm having fun messing around with it. I've got outboard compression, reverb, delay, a few synths, and a bunch of other stuff I have yet to figure out a purpose for. Maybe I could post the names of some of the stuff and you could tell me what it does noize? There's a couple gag units, but the others I'm clueless on. It's not old gear in any way (maybe 7 years for the oldest member,) but I'm at a loss for some of this stuff and he says he can't remember why he bought it! How that happens, I have no idea.

I'm not really sure how to incorporate it with my Tascam US-144 yet either. I know using the XLR inputs, but routing may become an issue and blah blah blah. That's another post all together.

I havn't had much time to look the stuff up, so I figured getting advice/answers from you would be the best way to go for figuring out what some of this stuff is.

BTW, I decided to keep the Yamaha Monitors after spending 160$ on this great site for CHEAP sound treatment. Check it out: www.foambymail.com/soundproofing.html

It says soundproofing, I know, but I we both know what they mean. It's every bit at dense and quality as Auralux and 1/10th the price. I think I've posted it on here before. Either way, it's a good route for the struggling musician.


www.witchsmark.com
Member
Since: Aug 13, 2006


Jul 07, 2008 07:55 am

As far as your question with automating effects goes within Sonar7 see here:
www.homerecordingconnecti...16430&frm=8
I use Sonar6PE, but I think the same applies for 7.

The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007


Jul 07, 2008 10:52 am

Hey Keith, I don't know your recording program, but I do know compressors.

You can preset the Ratio, and Threshold. It's the attack and release that will need to be adjusted for each song.

I sure by now that you have played with the attack and release, but did you know that is also effecting the EQ?

Attack and release tells your compressor when to start and when to end. But, since waves are frequency vs. time, attack and release are adjusting the EQ in that parameter.

If you are looking to loose some bass of the vocal, and you don't want to loose the gain setting that you have for the vocal ch, then you would adjust the attack time up a little longer.

If when you do adjust the attack and you find the high end more sibilant, then adjust the release time down.

All of this will allow you to preset your gain, ratio, and threshold. Attack and release time are a little more per song.

I find that in live performance, I adjust these settings more than any other to get a big studio type sound.

Sorry for the post if this information is already known. I thought it may be pertinent when dealing with presets.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 07, 2008 10:17 pm

Keith, ya post the names and models up here. I or others can tell ya what it is and what it does.

And you did say synths in the rack??? That is the cool part for sure. Even though I love my software synths, there are still about 6 pieces of hardware synths that I will not part with.

Member
Since: Apr 06, 2007


Jul 20, 2008 05:11 pm

I Think that as long as the preset is done for your voice, and you sing relatively the same way in your performances, you shouldnt have any problem. The problem arises if you sing in a different style or song or whatever when you drastically change your way of singing, in which case you'll have to adjust your settings, but i think its a good thing to have your own presets.

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