Is it okat to track vocal with comp plugin instead of hardware comp?

[Rob C]

Keep your levels low and you'll be fine. Depending on how much latency the plugin creates, I'd probably skip compression altogether until the mix stage.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Headache Jones

Hey guys, i'm working with s female singer that is very dynamic in vocals, i don't currently own a hardware comp, and was wonderng if its cool to track her using a waves api comp plugin? would it be just as effective or near to if i was tracking with a decent hardware comp like a RNC

It'll work for monitoring. But it won't either be recorded (don't get into bussing through auxes so you DO record the compression output, there's no point), plus it won't reduce the dynamic range to your converters, so as the previous poster mentioned, make sure you leave a lot of headroom.

[CJ Mastering]

Hey guys, i'm working with s female singer that is very dynamic in vocals

You need a hardware compressor if you want to compress the vocals during recording. Because a software compressor is after the FACT! It already passed your sound card converters and its printed with the compressor. Software compressors effect the signal after the fact. There not meant to be used during recording

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by CJ Mastering

There not meant to be used during recording

"meant" is a loaded term, with little meaning here! Nothing wrong with using a software compressor during tracking - providing (as everyone, you included, has pointed out) you realise that it's not affecting the recording as such.

If it helps the performer, why not use one?

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

"meant" is a loaded term, with little meaning here! Nothing wrong with using a software compressor during tracking - providing (as everyone, you included, has pointed out) you realise that it's not affecting the recording as such.

If it helps the performer, why not use one?

Because of the latency.

[jonestown]

Thanks for the swift and useful responses. Another question, do send the vocal track to a bus and apply the comp to the said bus, or can i just ad the comp as an insert on the vocal track

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Rob C

Because of the latency.

Depends on what plugin you're using.

For example, simply BF76 at 32 samples - anyone going to hear that? I guess some singers might be that fussy, I don't hear it as a delay when singing though - and I'm very sensitive to timing issues.

You're right in that it's something to be aware of.

[CJ Mastering]

meant" is a loaded term, with little meaning

Why waste your time with semantics? You know what I meant in the context of this thread.

[JamieVU]

Latency? really?

i use software comps on vocals during tracking all the time, Never had a singer complain about a delay in their vocals... nor have i for that matter.

J

[Wayne]

I tend to look at tracking with compression, the up sides, down sides, vs at mix later..
'On the way in' up sides, the hardware does something special the plugs don't, and you're getting to the finished sound sooner, singer works with the comp in the phones (which could be a plus or minus..
Down side, 'better not screw it up' and/or perhaps stay conservative with it.

'On the way in with software- Where is the up side? The phones mix perhaps?

[CJ Mastering]

Originally Posted by Jamie

Latency? really?

i use software comps on vocals during tracking all the time, Never had a singer complain about a delay in their vocals... nor have i for that matter.

J

If your using the software comp to monitor with, Set your ASIO buffer to 1024 or your WDM slider so its greater than 12ms and they I bet $1,000 they will complain of a delay or echo.
You just happen to have correct settings for low latency.
Its all in your driver settings, you just have them set real low and that's a good thing.

[Drumattacks]

A buffer of 1024 will bring latency complaints plugin or not

[CJ Mastering]

Originally Posted by Drumattacks

A buffer of 1024 will bring latency complaints plugin or not

Exactly!!! Only a handful of compressors/plugins have hidden buffers in them. So most wont affect your latency. Their usually the ones geared for mixing and mastering.