Compressors
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Posted on Jan 14, 2009 03:36 am
Geoff
SM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic's
Contributor Since: Jun 20, 2002
Alright I've been in this game for a while and I'm trying to clean up my signal chain. I've used my out board comps on a lot of stuff but i still end up using some sort of plug in. I was thinking about cutting out the cheaper outboard compressors all together to clean up my signal chain. I'm going mixerless and my M-audio Profire doesn't have inserts, nor does any of my other pre's.
I used to go from pre-comp-interface, but i don't want a sub par comp mucking up a nice pre.
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Jan 14, 2009 09:38 am Quote:
I used to go from pre-comp-interface, but i don't want a sub par comp mucking up a nice pre.
Highly, highly recommended.
(A) Anything to shorten the input chain.
(B) Anything to take any "non wonderful" gear OUT of the input chain for any reason.
(C) Compression on the input should almost always be for "flavor" - Rarely for gain reduction. And if it's there for gain reduction, it should be used for gain REDUCTION. Too often, it's not really set up properly and induces overdrive distortion into the input chain. Get a level at the preamp, set up a compressor, get 6dB of gain reduction, add 8 dB of gain at the preamp to make up for it - It's a really, really bad thing. And it's gigantically different than "kissing" a vari-mu or something for that bit of "creaminess" that it adds to the signal.
No doubt, get it out of there if there is even the slightest doubt that it's not doing *EXACTLY* what you're going to want it to do in the context of the mix. There's no undo, and you're actually REdoing already.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 14, 2009 07:27 pm DITTO!
What he said.
Jan 14, 2009 07:41 pm I want an Empirical Labs Distressor!!! :(
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jan 14, 2009 08:30 pm i knew what i wanted/ needed i just like to hear it from others. Well I guess my rack is getting an over haul. It's been over due too much stuff from when i started that i don't se any more . thanks guys.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 14, 2009 08:50 pm Geoff, you'll freak out when you see what I've done in here. Aced the other big rack and downsized to a straight 20 space to replace it. But ya, change is good.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jan 15, 2009 02:50 am you were saying something about that. I love all the knobs and blinking lights but most of the stuff in the rack just sits there, since most of my mixing is in the box. it's silly to use a behringer comp when i'll go and use a waves plug in . I guess the rack gear would work for live stuff but i don't do that much any more. Time to put stuff on craigslist. Though I think I'll keep my dbx comp/ gate, you never know when you might need it. I'll be getting rid of one whole rack of stuff.
oh and a side note, for Noize ; i check all my stuff after our crazy power spike and my mixer was the only thing that crapped out (the phantom power just makes a hissing noise when it's on) at least i was getting rid of it.
Jan 15, 2009 09:41 am Geoff, let us know where we can see your list of stuff, I might have some free cash coming up here in a few days. :)
