dynamics processing...

[bradreligon]

is it better to use dynamics processors while tracking or while mixing?

 

[sonusman]

Do you need it while tracking or mixing? Use it were it is appropriate.

Ed

 

[regebro]

Depends. Wiwth budget equipment (typically 4-track casette recorders), compressing when mixing can raise the noise. In that case it's better to compress when you track, although it's harder to know how much to compress.

I'm still getting to know how to best use my 8-track, but when I used a 4-track porta I used my dbx compressor on almost anything acoustic I recorded. It has a very smooth und not very noticable compression, so I got more even levels, which made it easier to mix, and kept the noise down.

What do you use?

 

[crosstudio]

24bit?

i don't use compression when tracking to 24bit. there's enough headroom that i don't have to 'force' the issue in trying to get the hottest signal.

 

[MONTE]

It really depends on how "peaky" the source is. If you have to set your level on a track low because every once in a while there's a giant meter slam but most of the time it barely rises, you should probably compress it to track. This will keep you from having a poor signal to noise ratio (tape) or low res digital words. If your levels are fairly consistent, you don't need to introduce noise by adding another box in the chain.

 

[regebro]

With 24 bit you have eight extra 8 bits of resolution.
8 bits = 48dbs, So in theory you could compress it 48 db without loosing resoltion. So unless your A/D converters are noisy, tracking without compression with 24 bits should be fine.

 

[gordone]

I record 24 bits recording Ac. guitar and vocals together. I usually compress to disk with my RNC in super-nice mode. It tames my levels (my guitar playing can get peaky), plus it seems that with careful tweaking of the RNC's settings, I seem to get some extra smoothness once I'm in the digital world. The only compressor plug-in I have is the blueline compressor and it doesn't sound nearly as good as the RNC. I've yet to try taking a track out of my PC and into the RNC and then back into the PC during mixdown, not sure how this will sound given the extra D/A - A/D conversions. Now if there was a RNC plug-in, I'd be set!
-Evan

It really depends on how "peaky" the source is. If you have to set your level on a track low because every once in a while there's a giant meter slam but most of the time it barely rises, you should probably compress it to track. This will keep you from having a poor signal to noise ratio (tape) or low res digital words. If your levels are fairly consistent, you don't need to introduce noise by adding another box in the chain.