any good software compressors for vocals?

[tonyscarbones]

i been using Massy CT compressor aint it's been the best so far

i also have PSP, Ozone, Bombfactory, Joemeek

they all sound crappy to me outside of that Massey one

just wanna try some others if anyone has recommendations

[Igotsoul4u]

Fairchild, URS compressors, McDsp compressorbank, or sonnox are all pretty nice.

[PettyCash]

For hip hop where you need a more in your face sound,

BF76, or UAD 1176. It will give you that bite you need...

[PettyCash]

Besides those, try taking some time to learn what compressors, eq, etc., work best for certain situations. A BF76 wont work for every single situation you throw it on, you have to be persistant and try as much different compressors as it takes to get the sound you want.

All the different types that you have mentioned using are all good choices, if you use them for the right situations, and if you know how to use them in relation to the sound source you are trying to tweak.

In other words, keep working at it until you get results...

[Mushy]

I tend to use a few compressors to achieve different things or to bring out different aspects of a vocal.

Try a chain like this:

Desser
Compressor (Massey should be fine, but I also like Compressorbank CB-1 or even the T-Racks Tube compressor) set at a medium speed.)
EQ (Something nice and open sounding. Oxford or even Focusrite.)
Limiter (L1 or L2007 set fast as hell and crushing by about 6db. output at -8 or so).

You get your compressed sound before the eq and then you plaster it to the front of your mix with the limiter. Also remember that a compressor does some of the work for you, but a really present vocal comes from rides. Learning how to get that sound takes practice. In the end, there is no magic plug in that's gonna mix your track for you.

[computa]

lately on the software side i've been doin waves SSL channel (no comp but everything else) & waves API compressor on "OLD". Vocals r out front and in your face.

standby is Ren Vox. Another that's great for rappers. It pushes the vocals to the front as well.

[Nahuel]

the sonnox dynamics is amazing. sometimes the sonalksis works. (never tryied the waves "vintage" stuff like api, ssl, or V on vocals but it's probably good too)

[KBOY]

I now see why the 1176 / La2a and all the other simple compressors out there became what they became.. Simple, sound great. Do a bunch of things but all with the same basic character few tweaks then your done. After a while you start to know which compressor you want to use by it's character.

I've gotten a couple in the box compressors to do those same simple things and sound just as good doing it. But it took me 20 minutes to get there.

I want simplicity. Or I want really good presets that all I have to do is tweak a few knobs just a little and then I'm done.

I've narrowed down what I tend to use on every session. and funny enough they get used generally on the same instruments. Here is a break down of what I'm liking. And yes most are emulations of tried and true great gear.

Kick drum - Waves Vintage compressor (neve)
Snare - Waves Vintage compressor or UAD-1 1176
Toms - UAD-1 1176
Overheads - Waves API 2500
Rooms - Waves API 2500 (used to be 1176, sometimes still is if I want to blow it up)
Bass Guitar - Waves Vintage
Electric guitar - Waves SSL channel strip
Acoustic guitar - generally don't like any
Vocals - 1176 / La2a
Drum mult and buss - Fabfilter ProC
Mix buss - Fabfilter ProC

I'm finding similar results with eq.

Couple of UAD-1's with 1176/La2a , Waves Classic console pack, Pro C and I think you have all your bases coverd and if you can't mix with these you really need to get another career.

Oh, I didn't really like the URS CSP. My opinion only obviously.

Peace

[KBOY]

Oh, and whats the deal with the Waves "analog" switch or toggle????? Just a bunch of hiss.... does it do something that I'm not aware of?

[jbuzz]

Originally Posted by lpuma

the sonnox dynamics is amazing.

[phillysoulman]

You cant go wrong with the URS Pro Console Strip.
If you know your stuff,it will do a great job with everything.

[computa]

Originally Posted by KBOY

Oh, and whats the deal with the Waves "analog" switch or toggle????? Just a bunch of hiss.... does it do something that I'm not aware of?

dont quote me but I believe it's the underlying "hiss n noise" they got from the ssl console they modelled with no signal going thru. Some say the more channels u use the more it adds up and is sort of pleasant. I know a few who say they love it but I have never really heard anything too distinct.

On the v series comp u can hear a difference. u can hear the hiss.

[KidWork]

I used the digi Smack compressor alot. Use the vocal preset and then tweak to your liking...Just works real smooth. I recorded a dude who sounded like Adam Levine from maroon 5 and it worked great for him.

[drew]

The TL Aggro comp is pretty great for a plugin. Partially designed by Steve Massey when he was at Trillium Lane.

[KBOY]

Originally Posted by computa

dont quote me but I believe it's the underlying "hiss n noise" they got from the ssl console they modelled with no signal going thru. Some say the more channels u use the more it adds up and is sort of pleasant. I know a few who say they love it but I have never really heard anything too distinct.

On the v series comp u can hear a difference. u can hear the hiss.

Yea it's ridiculous on the V comp. lol Thankfully you have a choice of level.

[rickrock305]

Originally Posted by computa

dont quote me but I believe it's the underlying "hiss n noise" they got from the ssl console they modelled with no signal going thru. Some say the more channels u use the more it adds up and is sort of pleasant. I know a few who say they love it but I have never really heard anything too distinct.

On the v series comp u can hear a difference. u can hear the hiss.

funny. engineers spent all those years dealing with tape hiss and trying to get rid of it, and now we have buttons to add it back in on purpose!

[Mushy]

Originally Posted by KBOY

Oh, and whats the deal with the Waves "analog" switch or toggle????? Just a bunch of hiss.... does it do something that I'm not aware of?

On the SSL's it seems to introduce a bit of that IM distortion that the SSL is famous for. In other words... Whatever...

[camerondye]

I usually go to UAD 1176 or Waves Rvox, even though I hate Waves policies the Musicians Bundle II is a great deal. If I want some serious grit, I work with Vintage Warmer 2 where I probably should have just used a beat up 57 on.
cam

[KaNeT]

For hip-hop vocals, i generally use a UAD LA-3A on the lead track(s) and a LA-2A on the vocal bus... works very well. If the singer has a lot of dynamic I may use a limiter after that too (UAD PL/Voxengo Elephant).

[jeremycox]

The waves SSL is very useful on hip-hop mixes. I've done some hip-hop mixes on an ssl console and was really impressed by how well these plugs emulated that sound.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by camerondye

Waves Rvox

or a chandler compressor

Personally, I think dynamic treatments are more important on the way in for vocals. A great outboard comp, like the Summit TLA100 or even a distressor (as well as mic, preamp, AD) in the vocal signal chain will make any of these plug-ins sound good sitting on a vocal bus...as good as your artist is, anyways...

[tonyscarbones]

Originally Posted by Mushy

I tend to use a few compressors to achieve different things or to bring out different aspects of a vocal.

Try a chain like this:

Desser
Compressor (Massey should be fine, but I also like Compressorbank CB-1 or even the T-Racks Tube compressor) set at a medium speed.)
EQ (Something nice and open sounding. Oxford or even Focusrite.)
Limiter (L1 or L2007 set fast as hell and crushing by about 6db. output at -8 or so).

You get your compressed sound before the eq and then you plaster it to the front of your mix with the limiter. Also remember that a compressor does some of the work for you, but a really present vocal comes from rides. Learning how to get that sound takes practice. In the end, there is no magic plug in that's gonna mix your track for you.

worked good

[jdjustice]

i really like the API 2500 on _my_ voice.
also the CT4 is a favorite and can't be bested for the price.

[TDT Music Group]

I usually track with a 1176 just to catch peaks, then use a 1176 and 1073 as a send and bus the lead over to it. the smack comes from a sonalkisis sv315 mk2 (smooth preset) this combo worked very well for a session i mixed last night. All are plugins and the 1176 and 1073 emulations are free from modern (google). I havent heard the originals but these work very well, did I mention they are free?

peace

[Dubster]

McDSP CompressorBank and URS CSP are pretty good bang for buck wise. Smack does a pretty good distressor imitation (I'm assuming your using PT, as the Massey AU versions aren't out yet).

[nukmusic]

Originally Posted by PettyCash

For hip hop where you need a more in your face sound,

BF76, or UAD 1176. It will give you that bite you need...

yes sir

[FreeToMIX]

No waY aNythIng IS beTTer tHan thE aPI 2500 series plzplz plz Get thIs

[tonyscarbones]

check it, i know i'mma catch heat for this but i couldn't find BF76, or UAD 1176 cracked for mac ub

yeah, i know, buy it, but i aint makin rap money yet so i aint buyin no more until i do

i already got what i got

so i used a chain based off what Mush said

de-esser that came with pro-tools LE
then massey CT4
then a 7 band EQ that came with protools LE
then a limiter
and added some delay

came out soundin waaay better than what i had goin on

[duvalle]

there are many great plugs allready posted here.
they do a great job!

but i think it's really worth to at least use somekind of hardware compressor when tracking voice/rap/singer. the performance will be different when the artist is actually "working" with the comp. i tend to use something like a mc77/1176 and then do more compression if needed with plug ins. it really improved my recordings a lot ...

[tonyscarbones]

Originally Posted by duvalle

there are many great plugs allready posted here.
they do a great job!

but i think it's really worth to at least use somekind of hardware compressor when tracking voice/rap/singer. the performance will be different when the artist is actually "working" with the comp. i tend to use something like a mc77/1176 and then do more compression if needed with plug ins. it really improved my recordings a lot ...

yea i agree, when i compare amatuer audio and what the people are using it makes a huge difference to have a preamp or compressor beforehand

i'm gonna cop one soon