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smooth compressor sound
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Old 20th July 2012   #1
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smooth compressor sound

im not sure where to ask this and ive looked a bit around to see if i can answer my question.

Im trying to get a dynamic sounding vocal to sound a bit smooth when the levels are docked down. im using the CLA76 by waves (bluey): these are my settings:

INPUT: 36
OUTPUT: 18
ANALOG: OFF

ATTACK: 3
RELEASE: 3

RATIO: 8

im just wondering how to people really get dynamic sounding vocals sound soo smooth without docking. please if there are any tutorials or books on this I would truly appreciate any suggestions..

Thanks to you very smart people :-)
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Old 21st July 2012   #2
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dont use 1 compressor. use multiple with the meters just barely moving. it doesnt hurt to pop a L1 in front of it either...
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Old 22nd July 2012   #3
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thanks, im guessing what you are suggesting is to avoid hearing the compressor work so hard.. ive never really grasped the aspect of different compressors in the chain. but I will experiment more.
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Old 22nd July 2012   #4
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If you don't know your way around compression I doubt
setting up TWO of them instead of one is gonna help you.
The '76, while an industry standard, it doesn't have "standard" controls.
Start with a clean, basic compressor, set up one control at the time
to its extreme and tweak just that one so to understand how it affects
the material. Once you have 'em, then you will also understand different
behaviors and "colors" of different models
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Old 22nd July 2012   #5
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The 1176s are nice for some pumping which can be nice but it alone I don't think it will get what you want, an la2a after it though.....
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Old 23rd July 2012   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thepilgrimsdream View Post
The 1176s are nice for some pumping which can be nice but it alone I don't think it will get what you want, an la2a after it though.....
A 76 it's good for everything and it can absolutely be smooth.
Can it be a 2A? No, but it can be smooth
But is not as easy to set up
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Old 23rd July 2012   #7
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It's perfectly fine (even recommended) that you use multiple compressors so that one is not working too hard. I've used even three compressors sometimes each with a lower ratio and thresh hold. It gives the audio a softer landing compared to a clogged up compressor working too hard.

PS. Try parallel compression or track layering with HPF/LPFs and stack them into a bus. That gives the transients more stability so it doesn't disappear so fast in the song.
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Old 23rd July 2012   #8
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try drawing a little automation so the really hard parts do not hit the Comp as hard ...

and multiple comp's is another way ..

cheers

john
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Old 23rd July 2012   #9
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define "smooth" compression! Avoid the word "warm" when doing so! What is docking?
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Old 24th July 2012   #10
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i think he means Ducking .. or ducking down ... just a guess ...

hence what i was saying regarding using automation .. like riding the fader into the Compressor so you do not kill it on the Hard parts and give it a little help in gain on the softer sections ....

cheers

john

Last edited by jwh1192; 24th July 2012 at 05:49 PM.. Reason: addition
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Old 24th July 2012   #11
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You could try something like Maxxvolume or MV2,
I find them extremely useful as smooth, transparent leveler
especially if used lightly before hitting a compressor
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