Compression for acoustic guitar recording?

[Sage97]

I have the RNC and am wondering if I need it for the acoustic guitar. I have several Taylors and use the SP C4s into the RNC and RNP. Mild to moderate strumming to fingpericking.

What is the best setting in the Super Nice mode to get the most natural sound? What about for vocals? (The AT4040 is on its way) Is there a "one size fits all setting" so I can just leave it at that all the time?

Sorry for all the stupid questions but this is the newbie section.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The RNC is a good choice in that application -- but there are no "one size fits all" settings for any compressor.

The settings depend entirely on the signal levels at the time, along with the tempo of the song, so it's impossible to maintain one setting for all applications.......

Here's an excellent article to help you understand the settings on a compressor and how to set it --> Shailat's Compression Article

 

[Sage97]

Thanks Blue Bear,

I confess, my biggest problem is that I have no idea what a compressor or limiter is for. I just bought one because I thought you gotta have one. I will really need to read up on it and the site you suggested seems to be a great placed to start.

I just want to get on and start recording. Hate being a newbie but I guess everybody was one at some point.

Thanks again.

 

[Ronan]

I just want to get on and start recording. Hate being a newbie but I guess everybody was one at some point.

Dude, Dont hate being a newbie. Learning about recording is a blast. I have really fond memories of how exciting it was starting to figure it out, and truth be told, I have been in studios for over 20 years (as an artist or producer) and its been my day job for about 14 years now and I still feel like I am figuring things out, and I still get excited when I learn something new.

I would suggest that you start digging into some of the fundementals, because it starts to open up your creativity. I would suggest for now that you lay off the compressor while you are recording and do it when you mix. I almost compress when I track guitars, but thats because I know comression well. If you compress wrong while you are recording you are screwed, but if you mess anything up while mixing, you can just remix.

 

[Sage97]

That's the problem, Ronan. I don't know how to compress during tracking or during mixing.

I give up. I've been going at it all night and still haven't the slightest clue.

My RNC goes on ebay tomorrow.

 

[Ronan]

That's the problem, Ronan. I don't know how to compress during tracking or during mixing.
I give up. I've been going at it all night and still haven't the slightest clue.
My RNC goes on ebay tomorrow.

Thats a bummer. There are many different ways to compress a guitar, the Supernice mode on the RNC is a fair start, but the safe thing is to start with a slow attack and a medium to fast release, and start with a pretty low ratio. Once you start compressing a few dB you should start hearing the difference. try slowly compressing a little more and going to a higher compression ratio.