Compressor/Limiter info
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Posted on Jun 21, 2005 12:32 pm
chex81
Cheese
Member Since: Jul 21, 2004
Alright, Well I always come on here and ask for help so the vets will most likely know me, or try to avoid my thread haha
Anyway, I have looked into picking up a compressor. In 3 weeks i am going to be recording my drum tracks, and after that re-recording all the instruments all over again. I have recently noticed a slight buzz in the background on the tracks. Also, I have been told that the best way to get excellent Bass tracks is to use compression.
I recently aquired a 1010lt soundcard, so now I can finally record multiple channels at once (drums mainly).
I am assuming the best method to record drum tracks is feed the mic thru a compressor then thru a pre-amp mixer, and then finally to the soundcard.
Am I correct in that the compressor will help a great deal with bringing out the true clarity in the drums, Bass and basically any other instrument?
Are there any compressors you can recommend that have a minimum of 4-channels?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Jun 21, 2005 12:42 pm hmmm i've got a few things to say here....
first if you're gonna be using a compressor for tracking, you wanna use as an 'insert' on your mixer....so the chain should look like this
mic > mic preamp > compressor > soundcard.
if ya don't get the mic up to 'line level' then you'll be using the compressor as a preamp and generally (unless you have a SUPER NICE compressor, this isn't gonna be ideal
second, if you're gonna use a compressor for tracking drums, i'd use it as a limiter to prevent clipping the converters. i do NOT recomend this though as it is all too easy to suck every bit of life out of the drums and it will be IMPOSSIBLE to undo. (compair my two songs in my profile, you'll hear bad limiting on the drums on "They Don't")
and C, i don't think there is a such thing as a 4 channel compressor, well i'm sure SOMEONE makes one, but most are mono, stereo, or DUAL MONO.....FMR's RNC is an exllent stereo compressor, but it cannot run in dual mono mode....if you're budget is tight and you're wantin' bang for the buck, a brand new Alesis 3630 will run you 50 bucks a channel and is packed full of features....unfortuanately it's not very good sounding and frankly isn't worth tracking with.
cheers
wyd
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jun 21, 2005 12:54 pm Ok.
Well, I have a cheap mixer exactly like the one below:
cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI....321700&rd=1
If I invested in a better mixer, could I avoid getting a compressor to record excellent Bass tracks?
For drum recording, do you recommend mic>mixer>soundcard? I would rather invest in a better mixer if it would make a large difference...
thanks for your help.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 21, 2005 02:12 pm Unless you find a mixer with onboard compression, it's not going to remove the need for a compressor.
As far as a hardware compressor, its best used like WYD says: as a limiter to prevent clipping on the way in to your sound card. Clipping cannot be undone, so it's best to prevent it before the signal gets to your sound card inputs.
What you're talking about with using compression to fatten up a kick drum will be done in the mixing and mastering phase of recording. At that point, you'll be better off using a software compressor to shape the percussion instruments into whatever sound you like, because you can do/undo/redo all of your experiments. With a hardware compressor, once it's recorded, you're stuck with whatever choices you made when you recorded the track.
Jun 21, 2005 02:21 pm it should be noted that a compressor will not help get rid of the buzz, and actually might increase it.
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jun 21, 2005 02:36 pm Alright.
Tonight I will go to the music shop and see what the price range is the rent a compressor vs buying one. we (my friend and i) also have to consider renting a mixer with more channel inputs anyway...so I will see what my options are.
mic > mixer > compressor > soundcard
got it!
Im not so much concerned about "fattening" the sound, as i am aware that can be done in the editing stage. I just want a clean sound going to the soundcard, and wanted to find the best method.
Jun 21, 2005 02:39 pm a compressor won't clean the signal, only good cables, mics, mixer and such can create a clean signal. A compressor only compresses the signal.
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jun 21, 2005 02:59 pm so dB,
you suggest i focus on investing on a better mixer than the one i have already?
Jun 21, 2005 03:03 pm I didn't say that...I said a compressor won't "clean" a signal. I don't think you need to buy anything necessarily (except a compressor), just need to learn how to properly gain stage what you have and keep the signal clean...
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jun 21, 2005 03:10 pm im sorry if im pissing you off, but you said "only good cables, mics, mixer and such can create a clean signal.". I understand, but I need to invest in a new mixer anyway because mine doesn't have enough "mic" inputs (2) and when recording drums i'd like to have a minimum of 4 mic inputs.
So with that in mind, I was thinking that maybe since my mixer was so cheap I should maybe invest in a better one, considering it may be the mixer giving me the issues.
Again, I am listening but I guess I worded it wrongly.
Jun 21, 2005 03:13 pm no, not pissing me off, just making sure I am not misunderstood. Your mixer is a Eurodesk, should be fine, I've made many decent recording with one.
That said, if you need to buy one, look at the Behringer UB series that has effects built in...I have the 1622 FX Pro and it's pretty cool.
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jun 21, 2005 03:14 pm awesome. i am going to write that down and research it. Thanks.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 21, 2005 03:38 pm Also I have to put in my plug for the Yamaha MG series boards. Affordable, with nice clean preamps, and also available with on-board effects.
Question: is compression a common on-board effect for mixing desks? I can't think of any other effect that'd be very useful on a mixing desk. Maybe it'd be better to look for an effects-free board and look into buying a couple of multi-channel compressors if that's the only effect you're interested in. Just another suggestion to add to the stack, because there's nothing like a flood of conflicting opinions to make the process of buying gear as complex as possible :)
Jun 21, 2005 03:47 pm depends on the user, almost any effect can be useful at the board (or effects loop) in a given situation...esspecially nice for bands playing live and on a budget to have reverb and delays right there easily available and not expensive...compression, limiting...
it all depends on the use...
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 21, 2005 04:12 pm I definitely agree that on-board effects are handy if the board will be used in live situations.
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Jul 05, 2005 09:54 am I went to my local music shop and asked the pro audio guy there for advice. He recommended me an Active Direct Box. I am finally going to use it tonight, sweetness.
Thanks everyone
