RNC with Cranesong Spider

[blake1]

You are probably asking - why is he using a RNC on such a nice mixer?

Well, the Spider has really good limiting capabilities, but I play and record at the same time and sometimes I can't make it to the fader before the vox get too hot. I just need a little compression to save a take.

[ProfessorFrink]

You are probably asking - why is he using a RNC on such a nice mixer?

Well, the Spider has really good limiting capabilities, but I play and record at the same time and sometimes I can't make it to the fader before the vox get too hot. I just need a little compression to save a take.

Don't track so hot, you don't need to if you're recording to PT. There's nothing wrong with using the RNC with the spider to get good sounds, regardless of the price of the two boxes.

[adam_w]

Umm... there's 3 things which make a cracking vocal as far as dynamic control IMHO, in order of preference..

amazing mic technique from the performer (when it happens - its a beautiful thing..but in't as common as you'd like..)
riding the fader (yep, be all over that fader on the way in... )
..and compressing the vocal where required, and you will more often that not use some later anyway to tighten things up, even if you are recording conservatively..

so sure, watch your levels but I guess since you're self recording and aren't going to be riding a fader, a little compression ain't gona hurt, and fullish usage of your bit resolution isn't a bad thing either

you dont really need to be getting your levels hot enough that theyre clipping(assuming youre at 24 bits). many of the things i record end up needing 5- 10 db of gain just to get my final peak limiter working. that still leaves me with something like a 115db (howmany dbs at 24 bits?) digital noise floor. what is the combined noise floor of your rooms, mics, and pres? probably much higher than the digital noise floor.

at 24 bits you can leave that kind of headroom with out having to limit anything. there is really no reason to worry about getting a good s/n ratio in this situation.

to be using only 16 of your 24 bits when recording, you would have to be recording at about -35db fs.