Stereo compression?

[Fu Schnickens]

I know that you can (should?) link a stereo compressor across two tracks, for example, a piano or B3 lo side/hi side. Does this also apply to guitar tracks where the same take is recorded off the same amp with two different mics? Is this desirable for guitars, or should one compress each track independently, even if it's the same take? I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

[A LaMere]

I tend to prefer compressing the two mics seperately as it further seperates the identities of the two tracks... but... admittedly I don't strap a stereo comp across the two mics often enough to have an opinion on whether it's 'good', 'bad' or otherwise...

I'd say try it.. and if it works for you... sounds good to you...

[Roc Mixwell]

There are no rules here,

Do what sounds good to you!!

Setting the compressor differently might yield some cool textures across your stereo image. As instructed above, experiment with different modes of operation.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Fu Schnickens

I know that you can (should?) link a stereo compressor across two tracks, for example, a piano or B3 lo side/hi side. Does this also apply to guitar tracks where the same take is recorded off the same amp with two different mics? Is this desirable for guitars, or should one compress each track independently, even if it's the same take? I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

Keep in mind, dual mono with similar (or even identical) settings can sound a lot bigger than linked stereo.

War

[Snatchman]

I have one of Roger Foote's Pico Stereo 2-Buss compresors. I think this is what this compressor excels on. ( as well as sounding good...).. Not collasping the stereo image! It sounds natural/big and it keeps the stereo spread as you mix it. ( True Power Summing?)

[peeder]

What's going on inside the compressor is there are sidechains feeding the detector circuits. When you stereo link those sidechains are summed to mono and then fed into both dector circuits as identical signals. It's possible with stereo sidechains to control how much link there is...you leave the compressor in dual mono mode and use pan pots to get the right blend of the two channels into each of the sidechain inputs. There are compressors that allow you do do just that with a built-in knob, e.g. the API $2500.

[stagefright13]

I almost always use dual mono myself. Except my GSSL of course. Roc is right there are no rules. Do what sounds best. Altho I am not stacked with hardware compressors.