Compressor basics

[I/O]

As you'll see, I'm relatively new to recording! I've got a Tascam 4track, a couple of 57's, and maybe $200 to spend. I'm going to be putting a demo of sorts together. I'll do the recording and I'll have a friend of mine do the mastering. I'm pretty sure I need a compressor, but I don't really know how or when to use it. Should I compress as I'm tracking and also compress the tracks during mixdown? Should I not compress at all and let it all be done during the mastering? How do I know if I NEED to compress and how much I should use?

I know this is a lot of question to ask in one post, but I'm pretty lost on the whole subject.

Thanks for your help.

 

[slick]

Check this page. It explains it better than I can.
http://www.recordingwebsite.com/articles.htm

 

[dan]

Ive found that since Ive started recording theres only two things one deffinetly needs to record a few tracks: A good EQ and compressor.
Ive read on this site how other people did with cheap equipment like mics, preamps, recorders and others but I think minimaly an EQ and comp. is needed to greatly improve the sound.

 

[K-wey]

Read the "White Paper" on compression, available at the dbx web site. Here's the link: http://dbxpro.com/compress101.htm

Very readable and enormously useful. Should answer your basic Q's.

Then go to the Harmony-Central classifieds and check out the ads for a nice used rackmount compressor. You should be able to get a good one for $125-$150 or so.

 

[K-wey]

A couple more things: Compression should be done with discretion, in my opinion. I tend to use very little or no compression during basic track recording. Just enough to get a strong and fairly even signal without overloading. Same for mastering - just enough to get relatively even signal levels without clipping.

You can always add compression, but you can't take it away later. Too much compression and you take away all the dynamics of your recording. Which itself can be an effect.

Another way to say it: Just be aware that it's a tool, which can become an effect. That said, it's a pretty vital tool. Please go read the White Paper at the dbx site - it will make a lot of this clearer.