to compress or not to compress

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member Since: Dec 30, 2004

i'm gonna be tracking vocals in a few weeks and sadly, the only outboard compressor that i have access to is an Alesis 3630....i'm gonna be tracking on a Roland 2480 and i was thinkin' about using it's built in compressor, thing is is that it compresses after A/D conversion....i want to compress the vox before it hits the converters....should i use the Alesis (which sounds like crap) or just track dry...i'm not worried about overcompressing gooin' in, i'm pretty confident i can track with compression. but damn, i just don't have one...maybe i can borrow one from a local studio or somethin'.....any thoughts?

thanks

wyd

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 11, 2005 04:07 pm

try it without, if it works, great, if not, well, then you have your answer.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Feb 11, 2005 04:08 pm

Alot depends on the type of vocals IMO. I have songs that I don't use compression until after they are recorded, and some that it was really helpful to have compression before hitting the soundcard. If the vocals are going to have alot of dynamic range I'd use the compressor, if not, it's just as easy to do it after to get the sound your looking for.

Dan

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:08 pm

crap! the 2480 dosn't even have inserts!!! anyone got an Avalon i can borrow?

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:10 pm

yeah the style is modern rap/rock, basically rappin' gooin' into screamin'. i really wanna compress gooin' in, and we'll be using an AKG c4000 which really suits his voice.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:11 pm

Ye know, I heard folks sayin the 3630 was a more than capable machine...

Maybes ye need to persevere with it a wee bitty and see if ye can get the machine to sound a wee bit better no??

I dont know personally as I have a Behri Composer but I heard Alesis 3630 was a good machine in its day.

Good luck either ways.

You know, I recorded my entire first disc using only software compression (mainly Steinberg) via Cubase SX2 and it sounded OK to me...maybe try using s/ware too.

I know traditionally you need comp hardware but I did it and I dont think it sounded awful - maybe not perfect by a long chalk but I dunno, worth a try is whit I am saying.

Coco

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:14 pm

yeah but i know mine sounds bad, it's real noizy and it knocks off the highs quite a bit.....

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:15 pm

i guess i'm gonna track dry, or maybe rent a good pre with a compressor built in.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:16 pm

Ah, if the hardware is in fact "capoot, knackered, broken" then that is a different story.

The answer lies in Uncle Uli...our good friend Mr Behringer. Ye get good Behringer gear these days for next to nowt. I hear of many folk raving - it all depends on the price ye wanna pay etc.

The other solution to lifes problems is at the end of Ebay...I bought my Composer Pro on there (brand new) for half the shop price...not a thing wrong with it, boxed etc.

Worth a thought...

Coco

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:17 pm

Or track dry, and try software.

I use the Steinberg Multiband Dynamics plug, shipped with CubaseSX2...it kicks *** as a compressor.

Coco.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 11, 2005 04:20 pm

oh i'll definately use a software plugin, but i wanted ta do light compression gooin' in, and another layer of light compression on the software side, instead of just squishin' everything in software.

another day another ray of hope
Member
Since: Oct 14, 2004


Feb 12, 2005 07:58 am

I always compress when tracking and then again when mixing.

I think you already have your answer, if you don't borrow one, you'll be kicking yourself come mixdown.

good luck dude


Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 19, 2005 05:54 pm

**UPDATE**

i've fanagled a Blue Tube pre and a RNC compressor!!!

now the problem is i have to write down every setting (not too hard) and make the stars line up for the next few sessions (we're trackin' 2 or three songs every weekend) cuz i have to book the studio time, round up the band, and now borrow a pre and compressor from two different people! (harder)

but i'm happy knowin' my vox are gonna be:
AKG C4000 > FMR's Blue tube > a RNC

man god must be on my side!

peace

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Feb 19, 2005 06:01 pm

i have zero experiance with RNC's

any recomendations for rap/scream vocals?

i've heard supernice mode works well with this.

any tips will be great appreciated.

thanx

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