Compressing vox before recording in Sonar 7
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Posted on Mar 09, 2009 06:28 pm
Meshuggeman
Member Since: Nov 24, 2008
I was wondering if you could run voxs through a compressor BEFORE recording them to the track.... and if you can... How?...
THANKS!
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Mar 09, 2009 11:24 pm Sure you can. Run the preamp out into the compressor and out into the interface.
THAT SAID: Unless you know *precisely* what you're doing and have a very good handle on gain-staging (it blows my mind how many don't), then leave it alone.
If you want *a dB or two of GR* for the flavor of the unit, that's wonderful. If you want it on there to actually control the dynamics on the way in, you're tracking too hot and it will only make things worse - MUCH worse - than if you jut left it off and recorded at "more normal" levels. It's not even a fair fight.
And if you're using a "crap" unit, leave it out. There's an absolutely gigantic difference between using a compressor live (where you have less control) and using one during recording (where you have ultimate control from step #1).
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Mar 10, 2009 11:45 am If comp helps you sing better, then run a DI box so you can monitor comp'd and record dry. Nothing like being stuck with an overly compressed track. Once in your DAW you have all the time\tries in the world to figure out what sounds best.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 10, 2009 11:45 am like MM said you can . I used to , but i've found that i get better results after i've tracked the dry signal and then run a software or back out to the hardware unit .
Mar 10, 2009 12:47 pm Judging your screen name, I'd say you are doing screaming vocals. And if that is the case, I'd think you could get away with compressing them a little more than singing vocals. But, not much more.
Mar 10, 2009 04:11 pm If recording levels are set at the preamp *first* - for the screaming parts - and not adjusted for gain reduction, there are worse things that can happen (still, I wouldn't do it 95% of the time).
But expect levels coming in around -24 to -20dBFS... Which is fine, of course.
The big problem is when people set the gain reduction and then overdrive the preamp. Bad form, not good, bad sound, etc.
