Compressors

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Fallen
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Chris Fallen

Chris Fallen

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Okay, if I'm using a Tascam 424MKIII and our singer sings quiet and then loud and such, so I should use a compressor for this (I think). Now, should I just pick up a compressor that'll work for the four tracks and use them all or what? Hm. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Christopher
 
I already did this and I also went to the Studio Covers page to read up on it. I posted this so I could have the forum's advice, no so I could go read more threads that never get to the point. So yeah.

Christopher
 
Hey there, fellow member of the Chris Club. :D

Yup, the compressor is the device that will tame that wild singer's tracks, even without the conciderable benefits of good mic use and vocal technique. Well, almost.

I would not buy a mono unit as you'll need two for recording stereo sources. I would only buy a 4 channel unit if you foresee the need to compress 4 channels at the same time while recording. Do some research and get the best one you can afford because you will use it on a lot of things.

Having a singer that is too varied however, will still sound like crap even with a compressor. When it has to work too hard to bring a loud part down it changes the sound too much and sounds...welll, compressed. Try having your singer back a few inches away from the mic for the loud parts. Show him the meters and let him watch them while he sings so he can get a sense of what he needs to do to get the levels more acceptable.

Believe me, pro singers have to learn how to do that to: no device can make up for a singers lack of mic technique. Until he gets that down a little, even a compressor won't sound as good as you want it to.

So your singer has something to practice while you research the right compressor for your needs. :D

Chris
 
RNC and/or DBX 286A

Once you've got your degree in compression techniques and applications, you might want to think about one of these which offer decent results at reasonable prices:

The RNC Compressors (Real Nice Compressor) about $199

http://www.mercenary.com

Dbx 286A Vocal Strip (EQ, De-esser, compression) $199

At these prices, for what they do/how they sound, either of these units would be gear you won't regret.

ZK
 
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