jues- a few quick questions...
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Posted on Nov 06, 2003 02:18 pm
PorpoiseMuffins
a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member Since: Oct 09, 2002
I was wondering whether or not you still use your outboard compressor now that you have the Focusrite Voicemaster with its built-in compression. I recall you mentioning that you like to compress only a little bit on the way in to prevent clipping (Sort of like limiting the peaks), and then use a software compressor after that. I'm asking now that I actually have a decent software compressor to work with (Sonitus FX Compressor and Multiband Compressor). As you know, I recently bought the ART TPS dual preamp, which includes optional Output Protection Limiting-- Basically a fixed limiter that just prevents the preamp from going into the red. I've been using my hardware compressor after the TPS in my signal chain. I'm wondering whether it makes sense to have it set up so the limiter is before the compressor like that. Maybe I should just skip the compressor and go straight into the PC and use software compression? What would you do? At the moment I'm still pretty attached to my Composer Pro compressor as it sounds pretty good and has served me well. I could patch it to be used after my mixer if I stopped using it after the TPS, though. I don't know. What do you think?
Also, I'd like to learn how to use a multiband compressor more effectively. I've used Ozone's compressor for my final mixes for quite a while now, but I'm wondering how and when it's best used while mixing individual tracks? Any tips at all?
Thanks a lot,
-Porp
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Nov 07, 2003 05:28 pm If anybody else has any input, I would love to hear it, too. Looks as though jues hasn't been around lately.
I don't want to sound demanding or anything, I'm just trying to make sure I track the best I can since I'm recording another band tonight at 8:30 and gotta make sure they're happy :)
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Nov 07, 2003 05:39 pm well prop , you said the set up is working for you ,right ? Well as it goes , there are not to many rules set in stone on how to record . I'd experiment , take the HW compressor out of the mix all together and use a plug-in and see how that works , or try something else . I use my voicemaster (now that i have one) on vocals and that's it .
BobMember
Since: Jun 20, 2003
Nov 07, 2003 06:14 pm Hey Porp,
I've got an almost identical setup as you (ART TPS + Behringer Composer Pro Compressor). I am doing the additional H/W Compression. I like the TPS limiting with the additional compression (starting at a lower threshold) in the Behringer unit there for real time monitoring & recording. That way what the singer hears is closer to whats getting recorded. The other key I've found that's critical when monitoring the other backing tracks and adding your vocal track, is to be sure the vocal is mixed just right in the headphone mix. If the vocal is turned down to low, the singer will strain himself trying to get loud enough when the compressor won't let him get any louder. If the vocal is turned up to much the singer might hesitate to put the requisite amount of lung power into it. With the limiting and compression both turned-on, I would err on the high side for setting the vocal in the headphone mix, so the singer doesn't blow out his vocal chords trying to make it louder when the response won't budge. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time doing scratch tracks, before getting to the good takes. - Bob
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Nov 07, 2003 08:43 pm Sorry I haven't been around - I've been busy in real life (tm)
I would personally use the compressor as a foldback device only - take one feed out the TPS and straight into the recording device (Some form of M-Audio PC Soundcard I presume).
I would then feed another mix into the compressor - set it nice for vocals (smooth releases - dependant on the material) This feed would then be fed to the singer's headphone mix, so, as Bob said - they get a feel for what the vocals will actually sound like. (while you are at it, feed it to a reverb unit - I find that "lesser" vocalists benefit extremly from having a nice chunky and obvious reverb in their headphone mix (but obviously you don't want to send this to tape...)
btw: www.infofeast.com/users/jues/penthouse.mp3 -- I'm pretty damn happy with this.
jues.
Nov 07, 2003 11:59 pm Thanks guys, thanks jues.
The recording went well, although we didn't get all set up and ready to go until like 11:00... they're coming back tomorrow to do some more tracks. I've never worked with so many mics on the drums (The drummer has 2 nice octava overheads and an NT2 to combine with my collection), and I've never worked with a Marshall stack, either :) It's sounding pretty good, and I'm getting to know Sonar 3 better in the process. I'll have some stuff up soon.
Jues- I can't wait to hear the finished version of penthouse. It's downloading now. 32%...
Nov 08, 2003 04:29 pm Sounds great, man! Beautiful mix :)
