This site rocks!

[peacepiper]

Fast responses to my questions. Great feedback. Very helpful. It literally does ROCK!

I'll be recording my wife's music when the Tascam 414 MKII arrives (Ebay- $150 USD, let's hope it don't blow up when i hit record). We are really excited to create some home made music.

now to more questions:
Turning a tape into a CD- Take L and R OUTs on 414, and go into LINE IN on computer?


Compression- Can a good MIXDOWN eliminate need for compression? What's the best freewqre/shareware software?

peacepiper

[A Reel Person]

of course, a well recorded track can eliminate the need for compression. Like, as noted on another post, that vocalists should vary their mic distance, with respect to how loudly or quietly they are singing. Other, similar recording technique, related to playing instruments with more even dynamics, can eliminate the "need" for compression.

However, a certain minimum of dynamics is desirable, in most cases, so keep that in mind, too. In M/O, compression in recording isn't a "need", anyway, but more like an overused gimmick. I've been doing home recording for well over 22 years, and I've never used compression, although I acquired a compressor about 4 years ago. Never used it. I'm more a purist for mic technique. Also, I prefer a "natural" sound over a "compressed" sound, but it's a stylistic choice more than anything, rather than a "need/no need" situation. Whether my recordings "need" compression is probably better asked of those who've listened to my stuff. In my own mind, I don't "need" it.

We all hope for the best that your used 414mkII performs to optimum.

[manning1]

piper. try some of the following freeware on your pc sometime.
audacity, sound engine and there are many others at hitsquad.com.
also get yourself the old cool edit 96. it has a noise reduction and filtering features in it to clean up recordings.
also check out these great audio editors and multitrackers i like sometime when your not busy.
ntracks, powertracks,magix music studio, and powertracks.
the last two i use and have excellent editing features and effects built in.
also search underr my name for more info.

[A Reel Person]

Compression effects can be successfully used to fatten up sounds of vocals & instruments, or limit erratic peaks, which are usually undesirable.

If you use an (guitar/bass) amp, there's a certain natural compression you get from that. If you use a distortion pedal, multi pedal, or modeler, there's a certain compression you get from that, too. There is a certain compression of hot sounds when using analog tape. Compression can come from a lot of sources, and there's nothing inherently wrong, or bad about it. Where it becomes a problem or gray area, for me, is when it's overused. IMO, to put compression across an entire (final) mix, is an overuse, and that's where my taste parts with the industry, on compression.

A properly recorded track and a decent mix should hopefully not require compression, for any corrective means. For esthetic means, it's a matter of choice, and it's a handy tool, if used in moderation. As always, YMMV.

Sorry for the second rant!