Comp/Limiter with SM7b and Solo 610

[cptnhook]

My vocal signal chain is SM7b > UA Solo 610 > converter.

I'm enjoying the sounds I've been getting, but some of the peaks are a little too hot. There's a bit too much tube breakup on those parts. I don't want to lower the gain of the Solo 610 since it's otherwise at the sweet spot.

Any recommendations for a tracking compressor/limiter to place between the SM7b and 610? I was thinking of something clean and transparent since I'm already getting nice coloration from the 610.

I know there are threads which touch upon this subject, but just looking for some fresh opinions. Thanks!

[Recycled_Brains]

I think the best solution is to ride the gain on the preamp.

Track the song the whole way through, then go back and punch the parts that overload the 610 at lower gain.

[siznake]

i have an sm 7b and la 610. i have the same problem with the distortion. you are better off lowering the preamp input and using a compressor after the pre. i know it's at the sweet spot but think of it as a happy medium between the quiet and loud parts. i dont think plugging a dynamic mic first into a comprssor before going through a pre will work. (at least work any good although i haven't tried it)

[cptnhook]

Originally Posted by siznake

i have an sm 7b and la 610. i have the same problem with the distortion. you are better off lowering the preamp input and using a compressor after the pre. i know it's at the sweet spot but think of it as a happy medium between the quiet and loud parts. i dont think plugging a dynamic mic first into a comprssor before going through a pre will work. (at least work any good although i haven't tried it)

thanks, very helpful comments. What are your preferred settings on the 610 for vox?

[Dean Roddey]

There aren't any preferred settings. The UA manual I think says that, for the cleanest sound, set the level to about 7, and then adjust the input gain knob to get the desired output levels. For a fatter sound with more distortion and more harmonics, pull down the level and push up the gain.

In either case you'll have to listen for distortion issues. And it does have a clipping indicator as well. It's just a single light, so not as nice as meters, but it's better than naught.

[deeper]

Originally Posted by cptnhook

Any recommendations for a tracking compressor/limiter to place between the SM7b and 610?

Compressors go after the preamp. Compressors and equalizers operate at "Line Level". The preamp's job, you see, is to boost the signal from Mic Level to Line Level -- where compressors and other processors do their magic.

If you love your solo 610, and need a great compressor, perhaps think about trading for an LA-610. I love mine -- both the preamp and the compressor. THe LA-610 has a good range of sounds and is quite useful on many sources.

But if your 610 is clipping, adding a compressor afterwards isn't going to help. Even with a compressor you're still going to have to adjust the gain staging better on your 610. Because there are so many gain stages, the 610 is more difficult to adjust than a one-knob pre, but the results are well worth the knob-twiddling.

[D K]

This is my vocal chain as well - been using the RNC with it - Line in to my inteface and then using the insert on my interface

Sounds great - I tend to not drive it too hard though - Just a touch of crunch when I get loud

Love this chain