Digital Software Compressors vs Hardware for Vocals? Question?

[Skorch Trakz]

im just curious how good are the software compressors built in on protools Ss some of the more expensive hardware compressors on the market like the big boys SSL, buzz or whoever.

is there a big sound difference in trackin vocals. if i were to just use the comp within the PT file vs external?? i would really appreciate a knowledgeable response. thanks

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Skorch Trakz

is there a big sound difference in trackin vocals?

yes.

huge difference.


gregory scott - 'ubk'
.

[Tube World]

No comparrison; high end hardware is better than what PT offers. You usually have to buy 3rd part plug ins from UAD or Waves to get really good compressors. Depending on what kind of character you want will decide the one to get. Of course with plug ins, you will find than you will want at least 3 different times of compressors like API, Neve, and SSL for the flavors they offer.

[newlyformedmind]

Originally Posted by Skorch Trakz

im just curious how good are the software compressors built in on protools Ss some of the more expensive hardware compressors on the market like the big boys SSL, Neva or whoever.

is there a big sound difference in trackin vocals. if i were to just use the comp within the PT file vs external?? i would really appreciate a knowledgeable response. thanks

The SSL, API, Waves R comp, Waves RVOX. What is Neva? lol. I assume you meant Neve? All that I named are very good sounding software. If you have the cash for the external gear, go for it. It will make a difference. But you still can get away with tracking great sounding vocals with only plugins.
But eitherway, you will have to pay a pretty penny if you want great stuff be it external or in the box plugins. Is that knowledgeable enough for you tiger?

[newlyformedmind]

Originally Posted by Tube World

No comparrison; high end hardware is better than what PT offers. You usually have to buy 3rd part plug ins from UAD or Waves to get really good compressors. Depending on what kind of character you want will decide the one to get. Of course with plug ins, you will find than you will want at least 3 different times of compressors like API, Neve, and SSL for the flavors they offer.

What Neve plugins are available? I never heard of that. Does it suck compared to the hardware?

[okydoky]

hi,

digidesign's compressor plugin "impact" is good and usable.


right.

[Skorch Trakz]

cool thanks for the opinions. ill buy one good hardware compressor now if its way better in quality. im new to the recording stuff so im not sure what i should/shouldnt spend my money on

[newlyformedmind]

Originally Posted by Skorch Trakz

cool thanks for the opinions. ill buy one good hardware compressor now if its way better in quality. im new to the recording stuff so im not sure what i should/shouldnt spend my money on

Buy a EL Distressor. If you have some API and/or SSL plugs plus one of the more expensive Wave's bundle's, you are good to go for now. You never stated budget. If you are interested in any of the high end plugins that I mentioned, PM me and I should be able to help you out.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by u b k

yes.

huge difference.

[nikodemos]

+1000 for "Huge difference"......

...and the main reason (other than quality or taste differences in the analog vs software) is that with hardware during tracking you compress the signal before the AD convertion , shaping the sound to your taste and getting the most out of it just before it turns to data.......the otherway you don't.....and you can't fix a bad recorded signal...don't forget that dynamic range control of a signal can be very critical in digital recording (preventing clipping while keepint it hot, average incoming level regarding bitrate etc etc)

[Skorch Trakz]

Originally Posted by nikodemos

+1000 for "Huge difference"......

...and the main reason (other than quality or taste differences in the analog vs software) is that with hardware during tracking you compress the signal before the AD convertion , shaping the sound to your taste and getting the most out of it just before it turns to data.......the otherway you don't.....and you can't fix a bad recorded signal...don't forget that dynamic range control of a signal can be very critical in digital recording (preventing clipping while keepint it hot, average incoming level regarding bitrate etc etc)

very good explanation. thanks guys!

[illacov]

Originally Posted by Skorch Trakz

im just curious how good are the software compressors built in on protools Ss some of the more expensive hardware compressors on the market like the big boys SSL, buzz or whoever.

is there a big sound difference in trackin vocals. if i were to just use the comp within the PT file vs external?? i would really appreciate a knowledgeable response. thanks

slap it on your vocals.
Turn knobs and push buttons till it sounds good.

You will never ask this question again. You will be too busy recording hot fire.

Peace
Illumination

[The MPCist]

Use plugins for what they are -- tools.

There's no way software can sound like hardware and hardware will continue to have its place in recording/mixing for years to come.

Having said that, just use the tools, and just like the above post, 'twist til it sounds right'

[T_R_S]

Shania Twain "Up" all vocals tracked with Waves RenComp.
Sounded good to me ...
It what you do with the tools if you need digital recall is probably a must if you don't then use something else. It's the knob tweaker not the tools.

[ejsongs]

for what it tis worth i am really digging soft tube's fet compressor.

to me it is one of the best plug in comp emulations i've heard to date. i've got tdm uad stuff and bomb factory 1176's and the soft tube is the most analogy one of the bunch. not to start a war but the bomb factory purple mc77 is pretty cool if you can get over it being old and from bomb factory.

ej

[Empire Prod]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

Shania Twain "Up" all vocals tracked with Waves RenComp.

I am curious as to the source of this information

[peeweedrummer]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

Shania Twain "Up" all vocals tracked with Waves RenComp.
Sounded good to me ...
It what you do with the tools if you need digital recall is probably a must if you don't then use something else. It's the knob tweaker not the tools.

i bet a really nice vocal chain was used. with probably at least 1 great comp in there to give it its nice tone. i find that hardware gives it its tone and plugs help with dynamic controll.

[illacov]

Originally Posted by peeweedrummer

i bet a really nice vocal chain was used. with probably at least 1 great comp in there to give it its nice tone. i find that hardware gives it its tone and plugs help with dynamic controll.

Who decided Shania Twain needed to sound like T Pain????

BTW the vox on the UP album sound nothing like the ones from songs like From This Moment or You're Still the One. Strangley the UP album didn't sell as well as her other releases.

Go figure.

I guess me and my 1176, SSL comp and LA2A can go take a hike because of issues with recall.

For Christ's sake in the digital age you think people wouldn't bitch so much about printing effects. Wow there are some lazy muthaf**kas out there. I fail to see how anybody could justify not getting the right tool for the job because of workflow issues.

What's next? All you need is a TLM103 and you're set for life because its all about how you use the tools??



Peace
Illumination

[Roc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by illacov

Who decided Shania Twain needed to sound like T Pain????

Dude, Vocal Pitch is WAY over rated.

[illacov]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Dude, Vocal Pitch is WAY over rated.

Are you agreeing with me???

Her vocals sound horrible on that album "UP" yeah like Give up.

Peace
Illumination

[Roc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by illacov

Are you agreeing with me???

Her vocals sound horrible on that album "UP" yeah like Give up.

Peace
Illumination

I dunno! HAHA!! I was joking really.

[Jorg]

I always compress when tracking. I love the results.
I even compress up to 10dB (on the loudest peaks) occassionally on the way in. I dont care what others say or think. If it sounds right to me then I slam that f***er.

[illacov]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

I dunno! HAHA!! I was joking really.

I'm getting an SSL 4000G comp clone tmw.

You like it on vocals?
Sounds dope on drums.

Seems like there might be some potential there.

Peace
Illumination

[ThomasWho]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

Shania Twain "Up" all vocals tracked with Waves RenComp.
Sounded good to me ...
It what you do with the tools if you need digital recall is probably a must if you don't then use something else. It's the knob tweaker not the tools.

Where did you hear this?

[Roc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by illacov

I'm getting an SSL 4000G comp clone tmw.

You like it on vocals?
Sounds dope on drums.

Seems like there might be some potential there.

Peace
Illumination

I've never in my life used a 4000G to compress vocals. The thought kind of makes me cringe. Whatever works would be the path of the warrior though. I do find these types of compressors highly useful for drums, absolutely! I've definitely tracked vocals with the Dramastic Obsidian set to LO-FI release and the threshold set to STUN!! It produces a very cool distortion, and when used slightly and moderately by backing off the threshold, there is a nice layer/coating of harmonic content that is incredibly musical to my ear.

The DAO is one of the best VCA buss compressors we have in the Rack. It keeps the image wide and natural sounding, and with the HPF in the detector circuit your lower octave program material can BREATH. Adding this piece can really help bring out all the low level detail that is hiding. This compressor kicks major a## all over the place with our console.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

I've never in my life used a 4000G to compress vocals. The thought kind of makes me cringe.

SSL compressors are actually pretty popular for vocals, especially in the hip hop world... One landmark recording in the Hip Hop world, Dr Dre's 2001, was tracked with SSL compressors and DBX 160's on the vocals. I personally used the SSL 384 on a well known hip hop artist.

[Andrew Kinsey]

Originally Posted by Jorg

If it sounds right to me then I slam that f***er.

Nice!

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by Skorch Trakz

cool thanks for the opinions. ill buy one good hardware compressor now if its way better in quality. im new to the recording stuff so im not sure what i should/shouldnt spend my money on

I would get an SM7 and some decent monitors and learn about mic placement before even venturing into the world of compression during tracking.

I used a Gyraf GSSL (with high speed opamps and output transformers) to track about half the vocals on my band's forthcoming album. It sounded awesome. I never would have thought it would have made such a great vocal tracking compressor, but it did.

Brad

[TC Custom Audio]

Buy a Distressor.

Nuff said.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

One landmark recording in the Hip Hop world, Dr Dre's 2001...

i love that record, the arrangements are ingeniously minimal. it's also crazy how much they buried the vox, very out of step with the fashion then (and now).


gregory scott - 'ubk'
.