Vocal compression

[Farhanaire]

Hello everyone!

i've been producing for quite some years now but now getting deeper into it.I have a vocal sample which is VERY distorted in some places.I have cut its low ends which has helped to some extent.But i am sure compressor is really gonna help me with this.I have only the basic understanding of a compressor.I have played around but what i am trying to achieve here is "making louder parts quiter and quiter parts louder".Can anyone please explain what does knobs like Ratio/knee do?Any tips/suggestions for vocals additionally?

Thanks in advance.
-Farhan

[Fezzle]

hey man, a compressor wont really undo a really distorted part im afraid... it will only smooth out dynamics but the distortion wont go away. A de esser could help a little here, since distortion is usually most apparent to your ears at the presence range 2-6 Khz ish, try putting on a de-esser , so that whenever a really distorted part comes in the de -esser clamps down on that range.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by Farhanaire

Can anyone please explain what does knobs like Ratio/knee do?

Google can certainly help:

Understanding Audio Compressors and Audio Compression

The Audio Compressor - Who Else Wants To Know What It Does?

And, my favorite reference thread (kind of long but worth it to get to the information you're asking about):

Why do your recordings sound like ass? - Cockos Confederated Forums



Good luck.

[ThatGuyintheBack]

You may find that compression exacerbates the problem. If it is a matter of 'loudness' being inconsistent with the sample, you should try to automate fader movements on a track and reprinting the sample as a cleaned up version. That and using Eq to add/take away the mud...

[soulscience]

Compression will almost definitely make the noise worse

[Jeff Hayat]

And yet another vote for a compressor won't help already distorted audio material. But a compressor can help if it's used while tracking the vocals.

Originally Posted by Farhanaire

Any tips/suggestions for vocals additionally?

First, start with a good vocalist. Whereas this may sound obvious, belive it or not, some people just don't understand how a good vocalist will make such a big difference in the quality of the recording. Mic choice, mic placement (if there is distortion, move the mic away from the singer and/or try a filter on the mic [pantyhose works well if nothing else is available]), mic pre, room and choice of compressor all make a big difference in the quality of the recording.

What is your signal chain currently, and where are you recording this?

Cheers.

[cdog]

Pay a professional to mix the album and ask to sit in on the sessions. Will be better than any money you could ever spend on gear.

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by Farhanaire

Hello everyone!

i've been producing for quite some years now but now getting deeper into it.I have a vocal sample which is VERY distorted in some places.I have cut its low ends which has helped to some extent.But i am sure compressor is really gonna help me with this.I have only the basic understanding of a compressor.I have played around but what i am trying to achieve here is "making louder parts quiter and quiter parts louder".Can anyone please explain what does knobs like Ratio/knee do?Any tips/suggestions for vocals additionally?

Thanks in advance.
-Farhan

I suggest trying the Black 76 and White 2A from IKmultimedia. You can download free demos befor you buy.

I find them very easy to use and think they sound great.
In addition to level out the dynamics they also improve and enchance the sound, atleast to my ears.

[Maggot67]

For free, easy and great sounding vocal compression from a much-vilified internet company, try the free Antress Lost Angel. It's only got two knobs and a switch. No control over the attack, release, knee or anything. It's completely easy to use. And it's free.

I've found that it's the most natural sounding plug I've tried on vocals, which may have to do with my limited technique, but it seems like yours is limited too.

If it doesn't make the vocal sound better, compression probably isn't going to help. If it does make the vocal sound better, you can either stick with that or start messing around with other compressors.

But as a free plug that's hard to mess up, it may be helpful to give it a go.

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by cdog

Pay a professional to mix the album and ask to sit in on the sessions. Will be better than any money you could ever spend on gear.

Might not be as much fun, though.

[Go Nigel Go]

+1, a compressor can't help a recording that was recorded clipping. What you have is what you've got at that point. If on the other hand the recording did not clip on the way in, you could be clipping your output bus or monitor amp by playing back at too hot a level. In such a case you could run it through a compressor and re-record the compressed signal just fine. To see if this is the case, pull the track volume down half way and listen to it for any signs of clipping or distortion. If you still have distortion, but at a lower volume, you are stuck with it. Note that if you have multiple tracks you may have to add them back one at a time and repeat the process since the signals can add up to output bus clipping when mixed. If they all recorded clean however you should be able to successfully mix them by adjusting the levels and salvage the take.

[Jimsi]

to correct it youll need to re-record the bad recording, check volume levels during your sound checks to avoid clipping, make sure the pre doesnt clip and your audio interface doesnt overload and clip...

[Umami Uni]

Hey noob, try searching forums & threads before posting. There are literally countless threads about this.....

[Farhanaire]

Thanks for help guys.Applying as i learn.The clip i have is what i had got off internet and its an audio file ripped off an amateur video clip.I noticed those distorted signals where actually more of hard/rough sound than actually being "distorted".My attempt here is to make it sound as good and less disturbed as possible.

There are places where its volume levels variate,which is why i suppose a compressor will help me the best.

I have tried this TonMann De-esser,but i am new to it so taking time for me to understand.

Thanks again for all the help guys.Really appreciate

[RebornOnline]

Post up the clip, maybe we can help more then

[TwardyLikeTank]

Agreed, post the clip please.

If a compressor can help, I will eat my hat.

[nosebleedaudio]

Originally Posted by Farhanaire

Hello everyone!

i've been producing for quite some years now but now getting deeper into it.I have a vocal sample which is VERY distorted in some places.I have cut its low ends which has helped to some extent.But i am sure compressor is really gonna help me with this.I have only the basic understanding of a compressor.I have played around but what i am trying to achieve here is "making louder parts quiter and quiter parts louder".Can anyone please explain what does knobs like Ratio/knee do?Any tips/suggestions for vocals additionally?

Thanks in advance.
-Farhan

Like others have mentioned, an existing track with distortion has to be recut..
A compressor would have helped IF you were clipping the INPUT of the recorder, IF it was the Mic Pre then will NOT change it, since its BEFORE the compressor..

[BurnStudios]

How can 1 be producing for many years and not know how to use a compressor or a de-esser?

[Jimsi]

Do they still sell Geritol?...