Recording vocals in 16bit. Compresson settings?

[Pvm80]

hey guys,

I have the zoom r24 recording device. Which does allow up to 24bit record, but ive come to find out that its only when its pluged into the computer as your audio interface. Where my problem is i use it as a stand alone, which only captures at 16bit.

So my question is what would be some good starting points to set my compressor (art pro vla II) to while tracking vocals going into the zoom at 16bit. And i know i dont want to over compress coming in, so thats why im asking so i can get an idea where to put the settings to get a good balence.

And i know it would just be more easy to plug the zoom into the computer and not worry about the bit rate. But i always lose all my creative output and mindset if im there sitting at my computer trying to get things right.

So what i wanted to do was, track my vocals on my zoom and then later on import them into protools and edit them from there. And im mainly recording hip hop and r&b vocals.

Thanks for your time to read this, and will appreciate the help


*Sorry to those that have also seen this posted this in the newbie section, but seeing as it pretains with rap production, i figured to ask it here as well.

[JoRillo]

Compression in 16 bit is going to be the same as it will be in 24 bit. You just need to be a little more careful when gain staging so that when you add your FX that you don't clip.

If you understand the concepts of compression and gain staging then you'll be fine, if you don't then read Understanding Compression and Proper Gain Staging Thread.

The Newbie section would be best for this question, I understand that you record rap music, but compression is a general part of all music production, so what music you make threw a compressor isn't what determines where your thread goes. I don't want you to think i'm just being an ass by saying that, I'm just trying to help you understand how to use the forums a bit better.

Good luck, and have a fun time reading.

[ncoak]

Originally Posted by Pvm80

hey guys,

I have the zoom r24 recording device. Which does allow up to 24bit record, but ive come to find out that its only when its pluged into the computer as your audio interface. Where my problem is i use it as a stand alone, which only captures at 16bit.

you sure about that? seems like a weird limitation

[p_wats]

Originally Posted by ncoak

you sure about that? seems like a weird limitation

I've got an R24 too and use it all the time. It can definitely record at 24bit in standalone as well. You just can't use the internal effects. Have you got the manual?

[p_wats]

Page 99 of the manual: "Setting/Chaging the bit rate."

http://www.samsontech.com/site_media...y_docs/R24.pdf

[CJ Mastering]

There are no set compression setting for 24bit recording, so i'm pretty certain there are no set compression settings for 16bit recording.

A good starting point is everything set at Zero and then use your ears and eyes
(for reading the gain meters) to adjust accordingly to taste.

CJ

[Pvm80]

Wow.... Palm to face. You know how long i messed with that thing trying to figure out why i wouldnt change from 16bit? Haha and It never occur to me to simply turn the darn knob! Thanks p_wats for sending me the link with the manuel.

And thanks to everyone else with the helpful posts! I really appreciate it, and jarillo for the info and links as well.

[Kre8 da RedBeerd]

Originally Posted by Pvm80

Haha and It never occur to me to simply turn the darn knob!

Manual use fail.

[p_wats]

Originally Posted by Pvm80

Wow.... Palm to face. You know how long i messed with that thing trying to figure out why i wouldnt change from 16bit? Haha and It never occur to me to simply turn the darn knob! Thanks p_wats for sending me the link with the manuel.

And thanks to everyone else with the helpful posts! I really appreciate it, and jarillo for the info and links as well.

No worries at all! I'm still finding new things I can do with the R24 daily. That manual is a dense read sometimes. Ha. I haven't even cracked the sampler section yet...

Enjoy!