compressors

[metal4ever]

hi, i'm fairly new to home recording. I have a line 6 tone port ux2 which i use to record my guitar using a microphone.my issue is that i want to buy an external compressor but i don't no how or where i would connect it into the circuit, is it even possible to to use an external compressor without a mixing desk(which i don't have). please could some one help. thanks

[Ben P Music]

i did a litte reasearch on your interface and yeah, it can easily use an external compressor, i recomend the PreSonus COMP16 which you can get for $125 on musicians friend or you can get the scratch and dent version (which i assume means its dented or was scratched in some way during production but still works fine) for $74. This you can plug your guitar in directly via the 1/4 plug in the back under the label, imput, then just plug another 1/4 plug from the output on the presonus into your line 6 interface, should be simple, hope i could help,
-BP

[Eric F]

Looking at the specs on the UX2, it doesn't look like it has the ability to insert any outboard processors or effects.

What recording software are you using? If it's something that supports VST plugins, there are a bunch of free compressor plugins that are quite good - here's a couple: www.digitalfishphones.com, www.kjaerhusaudio.com. I would generally pick compressor plugins from either of these sources before a mediocre-quality outboard unit.

[Eric F]

Originally Posted by Ben P Music

i did a litte reasearch on your interface and yeah, it can easily use an external compressor, i recomend the PreSonus COMP16 which you can get for $125 on musicians friend or you can get the scratch and dent version (which i assume means its dented or was scratched in some way during production but still works fine) for $74. This you can plug your guitar in directly via the 1/4 plug in the back under the label, imput, then just plug another 1/4 plug from the output on the presonus into your line 6 interface, should be simple, hope i could help,
-BP

I don't believe this is correct. This compressor would need to see a line level signal (post preamp) not an instrument or mic level signal.

[metal4ever]

i think the tone port might have a line level input, on the line 6 website it has a diagram, this diagram shows a keyboard as a line level input but im not quite sure how it would work with a compressor? any ideas?

[Eric F]

Originally Posted by metal4ever

i think the tone port might have a line level input, on the line 6 website it has a diagram, this diagram shows a keyboard as a line level input but im not quite sure how it would work with a compressor? any ideas?

The UX2 does have a line level input, but putting the a compressor before the UX2 doesn't get your instrument or mic signal up to line level before it hits the compressor. The UX2 has preamps built into it, but doesn't have the necessary ins and outs to insert a processor (compressor, etc.) after the preamp and before the A/D conversion.

The progression needs to be...
Mic/Inst-->Preamp-->Compressor--->A/D Conversion--->Computer

Looking at the Line 6 page for the UX2, it says that the unit includes PodFarm. Is there a compressor that you can use in that package?

Let's back up a moment...
You said you're recording your guitar with a microphone? Is it an acoustic guitar, or are you mic'ing an amp?

[metal4ever]

i have the old ux2 which comes with software, gear box which i found was terrible and i got much better results from micing my amp but i should have mentioned i will be using it for vocals aswell. do you think buying a small cheap mixer would allow me to use a compressor?

[Eric F]

A mixer (or outboard preamp) would allow you to put a comp before the line-ins on your UX2. Something like the M-Audio DMP3 (less than $200) is a passable 2-channel outboard preamp that might suit your needs. A small mixer would also do the trick - maybe one with USB or Firewire built in already so you can ditch the UX2. As long as it has an "insert" jack, your can put whatever you want in the chain. A mixer will also have the advantage of EQ controls.

There are TONS of options on the market. Research the crap out of whatever you're considering buying to make sure you understand how it works, and it will do what you need it to do.

Just out of curiosity...
Why are you so sure you need a comp? I'm not saying you don't have a valid reason, just wondering.

Back to a previous question...
What recording software are you using? If you can run VST plugins, you can skip a lot of this maddness. Run your guitar directly into the instrument input and use a amp sim (lots of good-sounding free ones out there).

Like I mentioned in my first post, some of the free VST plugin comps are better than most low-end outboard units by a long shot. The only budget-friendly ($200-ish) outboard comps I would consider worth spending money on are: FMR Audio RNC, or ART Pro VLA. The RNC is probably going to be more versitile over a wider range of applications.

[metal4ever]

the reason i want a comp is mainly for vocals as i had a lot of problem with levels and from some research this seems like the way around them.

i use logic 8 and i no there are probably loads of vst's but personally i prefer hardware, i feel more in control for some reason. i'm probably just wierd

thanks for your help

[Massive Master]

You don't want to compress vocals on the way in - If you feel that you need to, you're tracking too hot (probably *waaay* too hot). Back off on the levels and take care of it in the context of the mix. Scream like hell, set that at an input level of around -12dBFS or so and go.

* If you're looking for a particular flavor from a particular compressor in the chain, that's one thing. But running through some POS compressor on the way in (and probably overdrive the preamp which is what many, many people tend to do without even thinking out what they're doing to the input chain) and rob the signal of any clarity and focus that it might otherwise have, don't bother.

I'm a hardware nut - But you're going to get FAR better results from even freeware compression plugs than you're going to get from some $150 box.

[Eric F]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

You don't want to compress vocals on the way in - If you feel that you need to, you're tracking too hot (probably *waaay* too hot). Back off on the levels and take care of it in the context of the mix. Scream like hell, set that at an input level of around -12dBFS or so and go.

* If you're looking for a particular flavor from a particular compressor in the chain, that's one thing. But running through some POS compressor on the way in (and probably overdrive the preamp which is what many, many people tend to do without even thinking out what they're doing to the input chain) and rob the signal of any clarity and focus that it might otherwise have, don't bother.

I'm a hardware nut - But you're going to get FAR better results from even freeware compression plugs than you're going to get from some $150 box.

Big +1 (thanks for chiming in, John)

One of the problems with compressing ANYTHING on the way in is that you can't un-do it if you over-cook something on an otherwise perfect take.

I dig hardware too, but most of the time I skip the box and use a plugin after the fact. It's WAY more forgiving. If I use a hardware comp on the way in, it's for a specific flavor, not so much for dynamics control.

[circle x]

VST Comps are the way to go. I know with Sonar I can run a hardware insert in the chain. I have had a ton of success using the Waves Raxx and Voxx. Waves VSTHowever, the bundled Comps work really well for vocals. I guess, if you really needed the hardware comp/mic pre you may consider the UA LA-610 MKII LA-610 If that is out of your price range look at the Focusrite I have used the Focusrite intensely as a DI while deployed and it worked really well. I interfaced it with the UX1 into my laptop and tracked it on Sonar 7 Pro. I have to warn you though, the comp sucks.