Compressor: yes or no

[bigwillz24]

Dynamic control, Tone, color, to tape.

Oh and for those that turn the gain up too loud... to keep the AD converters from clipping.

 

[Farview]

So whats the main reason to compress before going in when you can do it afterwords?

The original reason was to keep the vocal level in the 'sweet spot' on the tape. And because, in the old days, you used to only have so many compressors so you would have to compress some stuff on the way in so that you would have compressors available to compress other stuff during mixdown.

 

[Purpleb]

Thanks guys...

I was looking into preamps and compressors do they make something that has all of that in one with phantom power?
If so any good ones for a decent price?

 

[SRR]

Thanks guys...

I was looking into preamps and compressors do they make something that has all of that in one with phantom power?
If so any good ones for a decent price?

Yes they make all in ones, they are called channel strips sometimes as sometimes they even have a EQ section.

What do you mean by decent?

http://www.frontendaudio.com/Safe_Sound_Audio_P1_Preamp_Compressor_Expander_Lim_p/1901.htm

 

[Farview]

Thanks guys...

I was looking into preamps and compressors do they make something that has all of that in one with phantom power?
If so any good ones for a decent price?

In order for it to be a step up from the preamps in the m-box, you will have to spend some money. A decent channel strip will cost $700-$800 on the low side. And, you will still be funneling it through the m-box anyway.

 

[Purpleb]

Decent i mean like $200 for the pre, phantom, and compressor

It stinks b/c i already have the pre and phatom in the mbox i just want the compressor in the chain before it gets recorded.

 

[Farview]

You can't even get a decent compressor for $200.

There really isn't a compelling reason to compress on the way in with a digital setup.

 

[bigwillz24]

Buy My Joe Meek 3Q.

 

[XLR]

I don't compress going in. I'll know more and have better gear 5 yrs from now and I may want to go back and re-process stuff I tracked in the past. If I already owned my ultimate dream compressor collection, I might think differently. But I'm still saving for a Distressor and that pair of vintage LA2As.

If you record at 24 bits you've got no reason to have problems controlling levels.

 

[Freudian Slip]

I never compress going in but, I realize that if I start recording other people's vocals it will be a tool I will have to have. I have a hardware compressor, just not one good enough for voc's in my oppinion.

F.S.