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scorpio01169
New member
if you guys compress to tape...do you prefer before or after the converters of an audio interface?
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littledog
New member
Your question is worded in a confusing manner. If you are recording to tape, why on earth would you be using converters?
So perhaps one should assume that you were using the word "tape" euphemistically, and you are really recording to some digital medium, which for the sake of discussion, we'll refer to as a DAW. (Although obviously there are still some ADATs and similar thing floating around that are digital and use "tape").
Assuming we are talking about an analog compressor, if you do it after the converters, you will have this chain:
Mic --- Preamp ---- Converter --- DAW --- Converter --- Compressor --- Converter --- DAW.
As opposed to:
Mic --- Preamp --- Compressor --- Converter --- DAW.
A you can see, you are comparing one trip through converters versus three trips. In an audio chain, almost invariably, less is more.
So perhaps one should assume that you were using the word "tape" euphemistically, and you are really recording to some digital medium, which for the sake of discussion, we'll refer to as a DAW. (Although obviously there are still some ADATs and similar thing floating around that are digital and use "tape").
Assuming we are talking about an analog compressor, if you do it after the converters, you will have this chain:
Mic --- Preamp ---- Converter --- DAW --- Converter --- Compressor --- Converter --- DAW.
As opposed to:
Mic --- Preamp --- Compressor --- Converter --- DAW.
A you can see, you are comparing one trip through converters versus three trips. In an audio chain, almost invariably, less is more.
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scorpio01169
New member
im sorry...when i say recording to tape...i mean recording to disk....sorry..im use to mackie terms...they use tape
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twostone
New member
I always compress after tracking or mix down because I'm not experienced enough to compress during tracking and might add to much then I'm stuck with it.
Massive Master
www.massivemastering.com
Rule of thumb: If the compression you're using is an integral *part of the sound* - That is, it's being used for the color and character of that particular unit - Running it through the compressor on the way in might (*might*) be a fine idea. Again, if you have an *exact* idea of what you're shooting for (there is no "undo").
If you're compressing to control the dynamic range, it's arguably more advantageous to wait, as you'll have the context of the entire mix as a guide.
If you feel the *need* to compress on the way in to "get a hotter signal" it's very likely that you're tracking way, Way, WAY too hot. Back off and save yourself some headroom.
If you're compressing to control the dynamic range, it's arguably more advantageous to wait, as you'll have the context of the entire mix as a guide.
If you feel the *need* to compress on the way in to "get a hotter signal" it's very likely that you're tracking way, Way, WAY too hot. Back off and save yourself some headroom.
