Another Compression Question

[justinm.]

Can a RNC compressor (or any other) be used only when tracking? Or can it be used afterwards on top of individual tracks, or on top of the entire song to bring the whole song together?

I am having quite a difficult time with this, especially regarding vocals. I feel that I must be doing something wrong.

 

[mixsit]

All three are valid methods, sometimes a little on recording and some more in the mix. If you're mixing in the computer though you likely wouldn't go back out another conversion pass to an analog comp unless it was a fairly special reason.
What are you having trouble with?

 

[justinm.]

I'm not mixing to a computer. I do not have a separate mixer either. I've got a Tascam and was curious if a track has been recorded already, if it's possible to use the compressor on top. To send the compression into the Tascam...I hope I'm making sense.

I am having a lot of trouble with vocals, especially when they suddenly become dynamic. Or when screaming...it's impossible for me to make it sound even. And then on top of that, making the entire song sound equal and together.

 

[justinm.]

Anyone able to help me with this???

 

[mixsit]

I'm not mixing to a computer. I do not have a separate mixer either. I've got a Tascam and was curious if a track has been recorded already, if it's possible to use the compressor on top. To send the compression into the Tascam...I hope I'm making sense.

Ok. Do you have the manual for the Tascam- whichever it is? In order to know what options you have you'll need to know what you have.
Generally, once tracks are in the recorder the comps would be inserted somewhere into the stereo mix down path. track out> to comp> back into the mix?

 

[justinm.]

Not sure if this is what you mean, but there is:

Effect Send - 1 & 2
Stereo Output - L & R
Monitor Output - L & R
Digital - In & Out
Midi - In & Out

 

[mixsit]

It doesn't look like it has a place to put a comp in but there are people out there that probably have the exact unit you have. Don't be shy with the info- model? Other gear?

Are you recording with the RNC?

 

[justinm.]

Yup, an RNC and Tascam 2488, and that's about all I've got. I didn't think it could be done, as there is only an Effect Send and no Effect Return.

 

[gecko zzed]

Not sure if this is what you mean, but there is:

Effect Send - 1 & 2
Stereo Output - L & R
Monitor Output - L & R
Digital - In & Out
Midi - In & Out

The Tascam 2488, I read, has an on-board compressor across the stereo output that you can use over the final mix.

If you have recorded a track, a vocal, say, and you now wnat to put some compression on it using the RNC, here's what you can try:

Connect an effect send to the input of the RNC. Take the output of the RNC and connect that to an input channel. Hit record. What you have already recorded should go through the effect send, into the compressor, and be recorded as a new track. You will have now two recorded tracks, one without compression, one with. If you like the one with compression, you can delete the original.

Worth a try!