I'd say that, ideally, the rations are (1.1 to 1) to about (8 to 1).
I totally agree. Compression use should be rationed like wartime chocolate.
The title speaks for itself lol. I was wondering what are the "ideal" (in quotes since theres room for variation) compression ratios are for lead vocals?
I think that compression is a notion that must be understood as a whole to be used properly (even though you'll still have to experiment before you get it to sound just right).
15:1 Like a boss.
Exactally, and with that attack.. again even at 2:1 that is a completely different animal than 20 or 40ms. Really need to consider the wave front's shape. There is (often) way more level differences happening on the front ends of things = more for the comp to see (react to.. and that's also where a huge part of the compression effect therefore style is going to come from. (..not to mention most of your livliness of the recordings living thereSorry we get a little snippy sometimes.
A good place to start (don't finish there) is 2:1, attack super fast (1ms?), and 40 ms release, and threshold where it's making a difference but not squashing it (this is straight from the Home Recording for Dummies Book). That is where I started and played to find the right sound.
But, of course you have to understand compression as a whole before it will do anygood. ...