Compressor Hardware or Software??

Posted on Sep 05, 2006 10:42 am
mclir9
www.witchsmark.com
Member Since: Aug 13, 2006

I have recently purchased a Behringer Composer ProXL . I am not very familiar with Dynamic Processing as of yet, and I am trying to decide whether I want to keep this thing or not. Is it better to have the compression during the Record process or after you have recorded a track? If after, couldn't I just use a Software based Plug-In?? If after, does the hardware generally sound better than the Software compressors, and how would I hookup the compressor to effect the already recorded track in Adobe Audiotion 2.0?? I had heard through the grapevine that recording without Compression initially is the best bet, is this true??

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pjk
Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Sep 05, 2006 12:55 pm

The two steps are kinda separate.

use compressor before the AD conversion, to keep the levels under control, and to fatten up the thickness some. This is done via the insert point, as described earlier.

Use compression after the conversion (inside the computer) to fatten up tracks, that are kind of thin. A lot of times, this will be vocals, and bass tracks.

Drums can also benefit from compression, but I haven't fiddled with that part yet.

Compression also is useful in the final 'pre-master' stage, after the mixdown. It can give tightness, and cohesion to the stereo track.

I wouldn't think getting rid of it is prudent, if you're going to be tracking vocals. Lot's of people use an external compressor religiously on their vocals tracks (during tracking).

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 05, 2006 06:04 pm

Yep, short story. Compresion has its place in all three areas, before on things like vocals and drums, in the mix for almost anything needing punch, and after to sweeten the whole mix or for a type of maximizing.

cocofromscotland
Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004

Sep 05, 2006 06:51 pm

I use the Compressor with Cubase and its the mutts indeed.

Top class.

I also have a Behringer Composer which I (rarely) use. The quality of the bundled Compressor with Cubase is high and I Like it..

Use it on everything too..vocals, bass, drums - everything except guitars in fact...top class!

Coco.