compress during tracking??

  • Thread starter Thread starter jhag
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All the big names... the legendary engineers... cut their teeth on analog... and that's the way you did it... compress on the way in... they've been doing it for years... it works for them... they're grouchy old men now... and hate change... :eek: but seriously... There's been some great points on both sides of this debate... if you mix in the box, want to use a hardware compressor, but aren't to happy with your D/A conversion... compress on the way in... if you're confident in the sound you want to print on the final mix ... compress on the way in... want to control peaks on an aggresive performance... compress on the way in... got a boutique compressor... compress on the way in...

Want to leave all of your options open... wait for the mix...

The legends of tomorrow will probably be quoted questioning why anyone would compress while tracking...
 
I'm one of those grumpy old men that doesn't like change. I will "ALWAYS" use a little compression on the way in. Depending on the voice and the song I might go as high a 4:1 to smooth things out. Less mixing, less plugins, less headaches. If I don't get enough compression on the way in I always have the option to add more. I definatley don't get too much on the way in. There is a fine line as to what is enough and what is too much.

BTW when I sing it's 6:1 going in. I can't keep an even volume to save my life. I know my voice is going to need that so why not get it out of the way right from the start?
 
I don't always use compression on the way in, but I do sometimes. Generally, I will put very very light compression on before going to track. This way, the change is minimal, and I can prevent clipping if the vocalist gets a little excited. Then, in mixing, if I choose to be tasteless I can squash the hell out of it, biut then always undo it when I am sober again.

Do what sounds right to you.
 
I've got it now... compress on the way in if you drink when you're mixing... but record dry if you're just mixing your drink while tracking... (or extra dry with an olive... shaken not stirred)

Honestly... I go both ways :eek: ... whatever the situation dictates
 
Stefan Elmblad said:
Printing compression to tape isn't a problem if you know what you're doing.
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Bingo. You need to take time and learn your gear. Analog hardware just sounds better than plug-ins for certain things. Of course, likewise, plug-ins offer their own set of advantages/disadvantages so you use them where they work best.

Lately, I've been using the compressor in my hardware channel strip while tracking vocal, bass and guitar parts, and I'm very happy with the results. Like Joe Meek said...
 
I'm not liking the insinuation that if you don't compress while tracking it's because you don't know how to... I like to keep the signal chain as short and clean as possible... there's not an amp made that doesn't contribute either noise & distortion... compressors use amps in the audio path... If you don't want to compress than don't... it's not right or wrong, and you're not unskilled if you do, or don't...
 
You're making the assumption that printing to tape implies hardware compression and compression while mixing implies plugins.

That's not true.

j-boy said:
Bingo. You need to take time and learn your gear. Analog hardware just sounds better than plug-ins for certain things. Of course, likewise, plug-ins offer their own set of advantages/disadvantages so you use them where they work best.

Lately, I've been using the compressor in my hardware channel strip while tracking vocal, bass and guitar parts, and I'm very happy with the results. Like Joe Meek said...
Click to expand...
 
fraserhutch said:
You're making the assumption that printing to tape implies hardware compression and compression while mixing implies plugins.

That's not true.
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My comments referred to what Stefan had to say about compressing during tracking (i.e., on the way in) and "printing", or living with the results since they are non-reversible at that point. The drift of this thread seems to be folks arguing about compressing on the way in versus not. I personally like to employ compression going in, and then plug-ins during mixing. Of course, there's no reason not to use an external hardware compressor during mixing instead of a plug-in, if that floats your boat.
 
I've stated the main reason to compress on the way in - many times, please don't make me do it again :D
 
orson198305 said:
Hi i have recieved negative feedback for my opinions;

"you are so ignorant - stop trying to pass yourself off as an expect. You aren't. You're as amateur as they come."

I think this is what really removes from forums, idiots who cannot put their point across passively. They don't agree with something for no other reason than their opinion on a subject. I may have been strong with my opinions but i have not given anyone negative feedback for disagreeing with me, and i never will.
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expect? what expectant mother
 
I record everything dry.

SM57 -> Mixer -> DI -> DAW

I might use the three band EQ on the stupid thing but thats about as "wet" as it gets.
 
orson198305 said:
I've stated the main reason to compress on the way in - many times, please don't make me do it again :D
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You've stated YOUR rationale for doing so. No need to do so again.
 
I dont compress anything. I like dynamics. the only time that I ever use a compressor is during the stereo mixdown. 1:17:1 compression ratio, and limiter at -.3
 
MOFO Pro said:
All the big names... the legendary engineers... cut their teeth on analog... and that's the way you did it... compress on the way in... they've been doing it for years... it works for them... they're grouchy old men now... and hate change... :eek: but seriously... There's been some great points on both sides of this debate... if you mix in the box, want to use a hardware compressor, but aren't to happy with your D/A conversion... compress on the way in... if you're confident in the sound you want to print on the final mix ... compress on the way in... want to control peaks on an aggresive performance... compress on the way in... got a boutique compressor... compress on the way in...

Want to leave all of your options open... wait for the mix...

The legends of tomorrow will probably be quoted questioning why anyone would compress while tracking...
Click to expand...
this brings up an interesting point about analog recording and comping on the way in. analog tapes adds compression so they say ,so why did all the "old timers" always compress on the way in but the new digital recordest do not? you would think it would be the oposite
 
Robert D said:
So it's like golf, lower score is better (less gay)? Cool, I'm a solidly hetero 86. :D
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Im even more not gay than you at 13 points
 
BigRay said:
I dont compress anything. I like dynamics. the only time that I ever use a compressor is during the stereo mixdown. 1:17:1 compression ratio, and limiter at -.3
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Amen! I too try as hard as possible to not compress during tracking.
 
tracking environment

I wonder how much this has to do with how we compress? Example. If we had a totally sound proof room for monitoring would we be more often NOT compressing items? Or more often compressing. Same with EQ.I have a pretty nice control room but it is not sound proof. I wonder if a control room was totally sound proof would we change our judgmnent on what did or did not need compression as we could REALLY hear only source material via microphones not combination of mic's and ambiant room noise leaking in. I dont know, maybe im talking out my butt, just an idea. :p
 
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