Compression and vocals

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morindae

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I am thinking of buying the RNC to use for vocal and acoustic guitar. I have been applying compression after recording the vocal track using Cool Edit Pro, which has improved the sound substantially. However, is it worth buying a compressor if it can be applied after recording the track. In other words, what are the advantages of using compression when tracking?
Your thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well 52 views and no answer. I can only assume I phrased the question badly.
So here goes one more time.
Does it make a big difference if you put compression on the vocal as you are tracking, as opposed to putting it on afterwards. Many of you guys seem to put it on while you are tracking and I would like to know the advantages of this. Thanks again.
 
I think, based off of the trillions of posts Ive read, Id say the majority [of the big guns at least] recommend recording without compression, and adding it after the fact. The general consensus, it seems, is that one should learn to control their dynamics so that a compressor isnt necessary on the way in. I have control over mine but I still use the compressor sometimes as I record - why..I think sometimes I just sense a need for it...other times I dont...
So - personally I do both...I think its just another one of those things that has the answer "it depends"...
 
Scinx, thanks for the reply. Your post has confirmed a very important part of the recording process that has become apparent to me since I started reading the posts here. A good recording is first and foremost dependent on what you put into the microphone. Thanks again.
 
When doing pop or rock, I always compress vocals on the way in with a RNC. I use the really nice setting and compress as much I can get away with.

If you don`t have the possibility to compress with a "real" compressor(hardware) after the recording is done, I strongly recommend you buy a RNC, as plugins doesn`t sound as good....

For vocals to sound good in a dense mix , the "always" has to be pretty much spanked, but using good compression can help you make them still sound good....
 
Plexi, is the difference that big it would justify spending a couple of hundred bucks on the RNC
 
Yes....

I would say yes for the simple fact that you are using a nice two way compressor. The supernice works great and is very transparent when used. This should level out the dynamics so you can track consistant vocals.
 
Re: Yes....

Bstage said:
I would say yes for the simple fact that you are using a nice two way compressor. The supernice works great and is very transparent when used. This should level out the dynamics so you can track consistant vocals.
Click to expand...

Very true!

Amund
 
Nice job guys, this is just the kind of info I was looking for. I guess It's time for me to pull out the drastic plastic and get me one of those wonderful compressors.
 
plexi said:
When doing pop or rock, I always compress vocals on the way in with a RNC. I use the really nice setting and compress as much I can get away with.
Click to expand...
I must still be operating in the 'safe' mode.:D There's always this balance of getting as close as you can to the final sound on the way in. Compressing on the way in is very efficient -if you can dial it in right off. I recording mostly straight in, partly because I know I'll be making compressor tweeks even right up to the end of the mix.
So back to efficiency. Do you ever find while your tracking, where you've got to say 'Ok, that was a good take, but we got to go back and do the comp different'? Or later wished you haden't boxed yourself in?
:)
Wayne
 
mixsit said:
I must still be operating in the 'safe' mode.:D There's always this balance of getting as close as you can to the final sound on the way in. Compressing on the way in is very efficient -if you can dial it in right off. I recording mostly straight in, partly because I know I'll be making compressor tweeks even right up to the end of the mix.
So back to efficiency. Do you ever find while your tracking, where you've got to say 'Ok, that was a good take, but we got to go back and do the comp different'? Or later wished you haden't boxed yourself in?
:)
Wayne
Click to expand...

That has happened, but I`d rather have a slightly overcompressd
"keeper" take, than a not so good one with the right compression...
When using the RNC in super nice mode, you can easily compress 6 dB`s without hearing any artifacts, so you should be pretty safe...
 
Scinx hit it on the nail, compress after you have recorded and mixed your tracks with good clean s/n ratio and seperation. this allows the producer/mixer to use different compressors and compression techniques, if the tracks were compressed the man would be in a world of shit. It also helps mastering houses if the songs are not compressed. Compression is a lethal tool if used subtley as it allows for headroom and good dynamic range. Compression is also a great tool if used to extreme on individual sounds for dance music, particularly on drum sounds.

I run some tutorials off my site http://www.samplecraze.com on compression. Feel free to have a read.
 
As some of you have stated, it is good to record everything dry and for the most part I agree. In fact I record everything dry except the vocals which I ALWAYS use comps on. Wet can be a bad thing if you don't like what you did. On the other hand, (and I'm speaking on vocals) when it comes to compressing, first remember this is HOME RECORDING so compressors most peeps here are going to buy are really compressor, limiters, noise gates and levelers all built into one nice package and most are 2 channel. Some even come with dessers, and tube sims. First, on vocals, there is nothing wrong with using comp on the take. Again as stated earlier, be careful how much you use and how you use it. Unless you have a real studio, having noise gates included is always good on any open mic while recording. You never know when someone might walk across the room and if your using good condensor mics with no noise gate it's going to be time to do another take and kick that persons ass for moving while recording. Limiter (levelers) are also good in helping to not clip and can make setting up the vocal track so much easier. Now, anyone who is truely doing home recording and again this is HOME RECORDING BBS and is going to send something to a mastering house is either nuts or has way too much money to waste. First, if your using any desent daw system, say a roland vs or akai dps or any of these types of recorders, they all they mastering built into them. Second, sending something to a mastering house, your at the mersey of the enigineer there. What he thinks sounds good might sound like shit to you and just because he works or owns a mastering house does not make him or her a producer or a real engineer for that matter. Don't waste the hundreds of buck at an mastering house when you can just punch in one of the factory pre-sets and even tweak it to your own likeing. Bottom line, play with things and see what works best for you. There are few if any things in recording that are set in stone. You can do some amazing stuff with a little creativeness.

Peace out

boardman
 
I always record voice with comp/limiter, simply as I FEEL better... If you record 24bitty then you might think of not doing it with compression - you should have enough 'digital headroom'. But then DO NOT RECORD AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE...

aXel
 
I like the concept on some compression on the vocals while tracking.

The RNC provides a cost-effective method of reducing the dynamics while remaining transparent.

My guess is that the RNC is better than most plug-ins.
 
Doug, I have the PSP vintage warmer and Cool Edit Pro. I like the compression I get from both of them. Are you familiar with them, and if so, would the RNC be a significant upgrade?
 
morindae said:
Doug, I have the PSP vintage warmer and Cool Edit Pro. I like the compression I get from both of them. Are you familiar with them, and if so, would the RNC be a significant upgrade?
Click to expand...
I am not, however there are many others here that can answer that question.

I can tell you that the RNC is worth more than its cost.
 
Yeah I know Doug, that's why I'm itching to buy one. However, I want to make sure I really do need it. I could put the money to better use if it isn't going to make much difference.
 
In all reality, you should do what gets you the best results in the end. Generally though, I agree with the concensus that when tracking you leave the signal are "pure" as possible. When I track the the only thing that has any processing is the bass, and that's usually just some mild compression or limiting to keep it clean as it goes down on the hard drive.

Vocals are probably the most difficult thing to record in the studio. It's not like a fixed instrument like a drum, with a relatively fixed level, or like a guitar amp or trumpet. Vocalists all tend to move around, all have a different dynamic range, and that range is usually pretty wide. The first thing you should do is ask your vocalist (or yourself) if you've ever recorded before, and if the answer is "no" then give them a little coaching: in the studio, in most instances the vocalist has his/her responsibilities just like any other player. The vocalist needs to know when to pull back from the mic when they rise in volume, and to close in a little when their volume drops. They need to take ten minutes to practice this and get used to keeping their output relatively level sounding (relative, at least, to how it sounds in their 'phones). Back and forth, it makes all the difference in the world for vocal tracks. This way you don't have to compress going in.
 
No need for Mastering?

boardman said:
Now, anyone who is truely doing home recording and again this is HOME RECORDING BBS and is going to send something to a mastering house is either nuts or has way too much money to waste.
Click to expand...

This is interesting. Its the first time someone has advised AGAINST sending your stuff off for Mastering. Most of the experienced people on here have said even if you are only doing home recording if you plan to release it on a CD or whatever you should send it to be Mastered.

I hope Boardman is right, cos it would save a shed load of money not to bother with mastering. I have just got hold of Soundforge v6 with the Wavehammer plug in and am hoping that once I've learned to use it it iwill be able to do 'mastering' at home too.
 
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