does a tracking comp make much sense?

salomonander · 9th July 2007

does a tracking compressor (vocals) make sense considering how good converters are these days? i personally never used one during tracking and i'm just wondering if i'm missing out on something.

would i get any benefits apart from having a compressed sound...and obviously a hotter signal?

cheers

stevetgn · 9th July 2007

depending on the compressor and how you use it, yes!

Dynodawg · 10th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by salomonander

does a tracking compressor (vocals) make sense considering how good converters are these days? i personally never used one during tracking and i'm just wondering if i'm missing out on something.

would i get any benefits apart from having a compressed sound...and obviously a hotter signal?

cheers

I track vocals with compression most all the time. Mainly w/1176 or Purple Audio MC77. You have to know what the hell you are doing though and what kind of squeeze you after.

AB3 · 10th July 2007

When in doubt, application of a minor amount of compression (as opposed to a lot)is best. That means in tracking - do not use a high ratio or a lot of dbs of reduction. A little can go a long way on tracking. Then you can always apply more on the mix down of those tracks and you are not locked in. Of course, this is not a total rule. Breaking this rule can be musically correct as well.

Andrew Kinsey · 10th July 2007

The tracking compressor also helps ensure that you dont clip the converter however this is not the main reason why you should use one.

For some reason it allways sounds better when the compression is applied prior to recording the signal, this is most probably due to the compressor allowing for the signal to be louder and more constant so when it becomes an audio file in your computer it sounds better/ fuller from the word go.

Many big name mix engineers will also compress the vocals again once the track is being mixed to make them sound even more upfront.

Jason Poulin · 10th July 2007

I find I can drive the preamp hotter while taking a little more into the compressor.

It also stabablizes the hard passages into the converter.

It's great for not getting overs and getting more from your preamp.

also, character too.

J.

HIGHENDONLY · 10th July 2007

I use one for added color and peak control..

swisha31 · 10th July 2007

I always use compression when tracking myself or anybody else. When i was an intern/assistant for an engineer here he used it on everybody he tracked also. he was where i got it from. He used the avalon 737 and it did really great, sounded great, vocals sound warm and plus its de-esser also so no sibilance.

Confusionator · 10th July 2007

I don't know: I've overcompressed too many singers who've gotten "inspired" and sung louder in their best takes than they did earlier.

I play it safe, ride the preamp gain carefully while tracking, and then compress later. It's probably not the ideal way, but it's more foolproof (at least for this fool).

musicsound-2 · 10th July 2007

often the artist is performing better with compressor - ok you might decide to use that signal just for monitoring. However I am recording that signal also

9th July 2007	#1
salomonander Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,462 Thread Starter	does a tracking comp make much sense? does a tracking compressor (vocals) make sense considering how good converters are these days? i personally never used one during tracking and i'm just wondering if i'm missing out on something. would i get any benefits apart from having a compressed sound...and obviously a hotter signal? cheers

10th July 2007	#5
Andrew Kinsey Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 743	The tracking compressor also helps ensure that you dont clip the converter however this is not the main reason why you should use one. For some reason it allways sounds better when the compression is applied prior to recording the signal, this is most probably due to the compressor allowing for the signal to be louder and more constant so when it becomes an audio file in your computer it sounds better/ fuller from the word go. Many big name mix engineers will also compress the vocals again once the track is being mixed to make them sound even more upfront. __________________ Best Wishes, Andrew Kinsey High End Audio Equipment Specialists In the UK & Europe

10th July 2007	#6
Jason Poulin Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Sudbury, On. Canada Posts: 1,780	I find I can drive the preamp hotter while taking a little more into the compressor. It also stabablizes the hard passages into the converter. It's great for not getting overs and getting more from your preamp. also, character too. J. __________________ If it don't sound like a record... don't press record

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9th July 2007	#2
stevetgn Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: ITB now unfortunately! Posts: 1,725	depending on the compressor and how you use it, yes!

10th July 2007	#4
AB3 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,620	When in doubt, application of a minor amount of compression (as opposed to a lot)is best. That means in tracking - do not use a high ratio or a lot of dbs of reduction. A little can go a long way on tracking. Then you can always apply more on the mix down of those tracks and you are not locked in. Of course, this is not a total rule. Breaking this rule can be musically correct as well.

10th July 2007	#7
HIGHENDONLY Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Middlebury CT Posts: 824	I use one for added color and peak control..

10th July 2007	#8
swisha31 Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Hell's Kitchen AKA Mississippi Posts: 672 1 Review written	I always use compression when tracking myself or anybody else. When i was an intern/assistant for an engineer here he used it on everybody he tracked also. he was where i got it from. He used the avalon 737 and it did really great, sounded great, vocals sound warm and plus its de-esser also so no sibilance.

10th July 2007	#9
Confusionator Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 596 1 Review written	I don't know: I've overcompressed too many singers who've gotten "inspired" and sung louder in their best takes than they did earlier. I play it safe, ride the preamp gain carefully while tracking, and then compress later. It's probably not the ideal way, but it's more foolproof (at least for this fool).

10th July 2007	#10
musicsound-2 Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 450	often the artist is performing better with compressor - ok you might decide to use that signal just for monitoring. However I am recording that signal also