Jun 14, 2004 02:04 pm i wouldnt worry, just use the best quality cables you can, to reduce 'dirtying' of the signal, and you shoudnt have too much problems.
Outboard compressor question:
Posted on Jun 14, 2004 01:44 pm
LoTekRoolz
Member Since: Jun 14, 2004
Hi, folks. I'm a noob here, and after spending a little time looking around the site, I ave to say there are some pretty smart folks in here.
My dilemma is this:I have been reading a lot that you need a compressor on vocals before input to a soundcard for a lot of what seem like obviously good reasons.
Problem is that this seems to be counter-intuitive to the best operation of my mic and pre-amp (BLUE Dragonfly/TubePre).
The manufacturer(s) seem to suggest that any other device in the chain (even a mixer) will result in degrading the tone of the mic, which is what I paid my money for in the 1st place. Need I worry about this?
Any help or suggestions appreciated,
LoTek
[ Back to Top ]
Jun 14, 2004 02:04 pm i wouldnt worry, just use the best quality cables you can, to reduce 'dirtying' of the signal, and you shoudnt have too much problems.
Jun 14, 2004 02:09 pm Hi Lo!!!
Well it depends on your pre, which model is it? Some pres have a ton of gain, and some dont. It is possible to track with no comp. but at sometime in the mixdown, compression is almost a must for miked sources. You can umphh the volume on something afterwards to make it loud enough, but the dynamics of the performance isnt really there. I like the pres that have the compression built in, that way you dont have another unit to go thru. Most of the pres that have this though, dont have heavy squashing capabilities, thats not what they are meant to do. They just boost/level things out. One example is the Avalon 737, its comp is slammed by alot of people. But thats because they are recording rap-hip hop/ metal guys whos dynamic runs in and out of the blaster range very quickly. This type of comp. cant handle that, and its not meant to.
Anyway, blah blah, hope this helps.
Jun 14, 2004 02:09 pm Didn't think so, thank you for the prompt reply.
LoTek
Jun 14, 2004 02:16 pm Thank you guitwizz, model is TubePre, maker is PreSonus. I does give a lot of gain and it also has a tube driver in it.
Jun 14, 2004 02:17 pm sorry for bad spelling in prev. post, I'm an awful typist.
Jun 14, 2004 02:20 pm Also...orig. post had more to do with opinion that compression after input was not adequate.
I have tons of plugins (paid for) that do great after input but want to do it right, hence the question about outboard compression.
Thanks again, LoTek.
Jun 14, 2004 02:22 pm Itss too baid noit eberyone types *** goos *** mei. ....heheheh I have the 2 finger on one hand, and one on the other method... One day, I will learn to type, or maybe not..
Jun 14, 2004 02:26 pm Im a hardcore Aphex fan, and their easyrider comp. is da BOMB! Its extremely fast, and uses no knee at all, so there areb no issues of pump breathe. Plus it has only 3 knobs per channel...... I like that
If you go with a second unit, get good cables. Not Monster, Mogami is better if you care about the interconnect issue.
Jun 14, 2004 02:41 pm Well, it's kinda the rule, anything in your chain will cause degradation, but there is another rule, the one that states the better the gear and cable you use, the less impact it will have. If you put a $50 compressor behind a Neumann mic, ya, it's gonna suck the beauty right out of it...but...get a nice compressor and it will enhance the sound by smoothing it out...which is what a compressor is supposed to do.
eh, buy good wire and good jacks and make your own cables, thats what I have been doing for years... :-)
Jun 14, 2004 09:46 pm Thank you dB,I appreciate the info...making my own cables sounds like a winner, though I've never done it. Do you ahh, have any suggestions for a "nice" compressor for vocals? I would appreciate any suggestions.
Jun 14, 2004 11:44 pm I don't know, I do all my compression via software, because I don't have a AC adaptor that fits my compressor, which apparently isn't the best anyways (though I've never used it). I like to think I get pretty good vocal quality. But, I have a hard time completely quashing anything I've recorded and having it sound good. If I did have a compressor, I would just use it to prevent peaking and such. But I'm pretty good at that now, by careful setting up of the preamp and knowing what sources don't need to be preamplified as much (aka rappers who like to really get hyped when they record). I guess the bottom line is give it a try without the compressor and see if it works for you.
Jun 16, 2004 10:29 am I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's helpful tips and suggestions. I think I'm gonna like it here.
LoTek
Jun 16, 2004 10:39 am I would say get a high quality outboard compressor. But I'm not an expert. All I know is when I did my sound improved drastically.
Jun 16, 2004 10:46 am Thanks Mauz, That is exactly what I intend.
Lotek.
Jun 16, 2004 10:48 am I got the FMR RNC which also gets great reviews. Only problem is that it does not have balanced inputs so can degrade the signal.
Jun 16, 2004 11:08 am I have another question.I don't know if this exists but I can't think of why it would not. Anyone heard of any outboard compressors with digital outs? Any opinions?
Lotek.
|
Related Forum Topics: |
If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.