could anyone recommend some good PLUG-IN compressors for speech/VO ?

[mark007]

hi everyone,

I was wondering if there are some very good plug-in compressors for compressing speech (ex: radio type commercials etc).
For instance, if you get a speech recording that has been recorded 100% dry (without any compression whatsoever) what compression software could be great for this application? I would like, if possible, to avoid having to purchase hardware compressor and stick to software for this but, of course, would like to find the best one for this particular application.

We work on a PC, (not Mac) using Cubase SX, so of course if there is a good compressor out there that is VST-compatible, that would be great...

mark

ps: any recommendations for software EQ while we're at it?

[Domene]

I like Waves Renaissance Vox a lot.

Very transparent and easy to use.

Waves | Plug-ins | Renaissance Vox

[Jay M]

I think the Waves Broadcast and Production bundle is an outstanding value.

For spoken word I use Waves LinEQ, RComp, X-noise, LinMB for deEssing, and the L2 as a limiter.

I haven't found an equivilent for price, ease of use, and sound quality.

A lot of people don't realize that Waves plugins can be bought at a significant discount form places like Full Compass.

[Frank S.]

Originally Posted by Jay M

I think the Waves Broadcast and Production bundle is an outstanding value.

I'll second that.

[Jesse Peterson]

You might like a plug in called Hydratone by Tritone digital as an eq. TriTone Digital - For The Love of Tone!

I've been using this on dialog a lot lately.. particularly on VO.

I second and third the waves broadcast bundle

[soundguydave]

Massey CT4 is a great, inexpensive plugin. I use it a lot. I also like the mcdsp compressor bank set.

[philper]

Beyond whatever stock compressor comes with your DAW (usually lighter on the DSP than 3rd party) I think the Waves Ren Vox is a good all-in-one dynamics plug for VO.

Philip Perkins

[havlowjumper]

+1 on the Massey CT4. I use it a bunch on VO.

-Abe

[Geert van den Berg]

Originally Posted by soundguydave

Massey CT4 is a great, inexpensive plugin. I use it a lot. I also like the mcdsp compressor bank set.

Originally Posted by havlowjumper

+1 on the Massey CT4. I use it a bunch on VO.

-Abe

He said he uses Cubase on the PC, so the plugin needs to be a VST. (which he also said!)

Personally I think the PSP Mastercomp is a very nice compressor plugin, but it's quite a CPU hog, not because it's badly coded, it's just that it's very smooth, it sounds great!

[havlowjumper]

oops, my mistake...good catch, thanks.

[mark007]

some interesting suggestions here for plugin compressors, thanks....

any recommendations on plugin EQ particularly suitable for speech recordings? (still VST compatible if possible)

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by mark007

some interesting suggestions here for plugin compressors, thanks....

any recommendations on plugin EQ particularly suitable for speech recordings? (still VST compatible if possible)

Again, the Waves Renaissance plugs and Q10 are very effective here. I also have a couple of UAD-1 cards and use the Pultec and Neve EQ's when I'm looking for more character, but still often resort back to Waves for TV and radio work. I also love CamelPhatt for extreme compression and filter effects on voices.

[Daniel Antix]

I use waves C1 & Ren EQ when I'm using Adobe Audition and Waves SSL eq and comp when I'm using Cubase.

[mark007]

thanks, i'll check them out....

I've heard that Sonalksis products (compressor and EQ) are very good but from your feedback, here I'll also check Waves...

[danijel]

Originally Posted by mark007

I've heard that Sonalksis products (compressor and EQ) are very good but from your feedback, here I'll also check Waves...

A propos Waves: they will certainly get recommended a lot by postpro folks, as they are pretty standard in studios, so many people use them because they're already there.
But really, good compressors for music are also good for speech and VO, unless, of course, they are too un-tunable (like some 'signature' comps whose release times can't be less then 300ms).
So, Sonalksis, URS, different SSL emulations, UAD 1176LN - all great.
IMHO RVox/RComp is passable, C1 - yikes!

[UnderTow]

I'm with danijel. I find the Waves plug-ins overrated for the price. (Not bad, just overrated). You will get a much better quality/price
ratio (and even just plain better quality) from other companies.

I love the Voxengo stuff. Cheap and very good.

Alistair

[gainstages]

Originally Posted by Domene

I like Waves Renaissance Vox a lot.

Very transparent and easy to use.

Waves | Plug-ins | Renaissance Vox

yeah, the ultimate in simplicity, and it still sounds good.