Help with a dynamic vocal using an analog compressor...

[JohnCutts]

I’m recording a rapper whose vocals are very dynamic. I’m trying to tame these vocals before they enter my daw. I’m using a dbx 266xl compressor which seems to be working but doesn’t seem to catch the really stressed/loud words. I think the problem is in my setting but I don’t know where problem lies. I have the compressor set at -20 threshold, 5:1 ratio, 0 gain, and the fastest release and attack time on the machine. Is this normal for a compressor to miss significantly loud words or are my settings not right to catch them all?

 

[Farview]

Turn down your preamp!

In order for the vocalist to clip the converters with the settings you have, your preamp must be way too loud. He is also too close to the mic. When you are too close, the mic exaggerates some of the dynamics. Especially the ones that are very quick...too quick for the compressor to catch.

Just back him off and maybe turn down the preamp. You can always edit the transients once it's in the computer. Try the compressor on a medium attack and release setting, it will sound more natural.

 

[Robert D]

He's probably wanting to be right on the mic for the proximity effect (it's rap). But at the same time, it's rap, not death metal, so I would think that the vocal dynamics were relatively narrow. Anyway, bottom line is turn down the gain and be sure to record at 24 bits. Oh, BTW, you are using a pop filter, right?

 

[mixsit]

I'd be curious to know what is happening if at the fastest settings, a reasonable ratio, it 'doesn’t seem to catch the really stressed/loud words'. A few possibilities- Set soft knee? The vocal is so wild that it can't be reeled in on one pass w/o sounding bad?
This last is a very real possibility. Often it's appropriate to have the tracking comp only bite off part of the job- then automate/mix as mentioned before, recompress as needed.
Also, try dbx Auto Mode, hard knee. That might be tough to beat with.

 

[Farview]

If you have another mic, you could set them both up. Have one with the preamp turned way down and the other set the way you have it. Record both tracks and just splice the two together. When he clips the one, use the other. When the other is too quiet, use the first one.

 

[cusebassman]

I'd be curious to know what is happening if at the fastest settings, a reasonable ratio, it 'doesn’t seem to catch the really stressed/loud words'. A few possibilities- Set soft knee? The vocal is so wild that it can't be reeled in on one pass w/o sounding bad?
This last is a very real possibility. Often it's appropriate to have the tracking comp only bite off part of the job- then automate/mix as mentioned before, recompress as needed.
Also, try dbx Auto Mode, hard knee. That might be tough to beat with.

Are you trying to tell me that there's a vocalist out there (uhh, sorry - rapper) - who isn't as good as they think they are?

Huh.

Better put that on my list of "Oft-forgotten bits of knowledge regarding recording". I could've titled the list "Recording tips", but I didn't want to waste the title space.

 

[mixsit]

Are you trying to tell me that there's a vocalist out there (uhh, sorry - rapper) - who isn't as good as they think they are?

Huh.

Better put that on my list of "Oft-forgotten bits of knowledge regarding recording". I could've titled the list "Recording tips", but I didn't want to waste the title space.

That's a question for the op I suppose.

 

[moonand6]

Turn down your preamp!

This is good advice. Like a few others have said too, you can play with the dynamics more once you've got the track recorded. It's not bad to compress while recording, just make sure it's not too extreme (unless you've got a sound you know you're going for). I suggest making sure the "overeasy" is off, and use the auto attack and release setting. Have the Ratio set to 4:1 (max) taking off 10db (max) at the loudest parts. This should result in a smoother, more natural sound than the settings you said you are using. You can always compress more later to get that real in-your-face kind of sound... but you can't really uncompress (expand) the sound later.

Good luck!

 

[JohnCutts]

I had him re-say the verse over and it was fine. Thanks for all of the advice it really helped. It was the preamp it was really loud, 34+db loud, and I believe he was a little too close to the mic as well. I'll give medium attack and release settings as well too.

Turn down your preamp!