Good, cheap compressor for vocals?

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x_variable

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Hey everyone, this is only my second post, but I've been lurking around this forum on a pretty regular basis for a few years now. I made my first post yesterday in the MP3 Mixing Clinic, and would still love some feedback if anyone gets a chance...

I've been thinking about getting a hardware compressor so I don't have to rely on Pro Tools and plug-ins, and I'd like to be able get a warmer, rounder, less digitally harsh tone for my vocals. A compressor with tubes would be lovely, I think. I'm currently using Pro Tools for mixing and processing, and I record my vocals with a Rode NT1-A mic, through a Behringer mixer, then through a Fast Track Pro. I know it it's a pretty typical home studio setup, not quite professional, and maybe I'd be wasting my money on a good compressor if it's just going to end up going through the mixer (or at least interface)? Would it be better to get a tube preamp and bypass the mixer, then continue using software compressors?

I've heard good things about the Really Nice Compressor (certainly within price range!), dbx, and ART, but I personally haven't had much experience with running my own vocals through hardware. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
matt g.
 
Both the RNC and the ART PRO VLA are quite good for the price, but I'll put in my vote for the PRO VLA, simply because I have used one for about 10 years now and find it to be an excellent workhorse compressor with a very clean, smooth sound. One of the best purchases I have made, IMHO. It's no LA-2, but it is an opto-varistor design with tube-based preamps that comes quite close in character, especially for the price.

There is now a PRO VLAII; as far as I can tell, the only differences between it and the PRO VLA is the move to Chinese tubes, variable instead of switchable attack/release, and an output meter to compliment the input and reduction meters. I have not heard/used the II, so I cannot comment past that, but if it sounds the same or better than the original VLA, it's definitely worth it, IMHO. But you may possibly still be able to find the original VLA being blown out for $199 or less too, which would be a *steal*, IMHO.

G.
 
Well I'll throw in my two cents here.. Honestly.. I don't think purchasing a hardware compressor is going to satisfy you the way you're hoping. This all depends on a lot though. What kind of music.. is it just for you or is it for clientel that you record.. is it primarily for vocals or will you be using it on instruments as well.. things like that.. it also depends on how you intend to use it..

One thing is that it's generally better not to compress to disc IMO.. reason being is that you can't take it back.. you do have some options here though if you go with a compressor that can be used as an insert in pro tools.. keep in mind though.. that will mean printing stems of each track before applying the compressor to other tracks.. You would basically insert it on a track.. get it how you want it.. and then print the audio file so you can take the compressor off of it and apply it to another track and repeat.. not a deal breaker especially if it gives you the sound you want, but extra work that could probably be avoided..

It couldn't be a bad thing to have, but I personally think there are plugins that do well enough.. I think you'd be better served to maybe look at getting a better interface with great converters.. A good solution here for you might be to invest in a great preamp that has an on-board compressor. I would agree that sending a great compressor through a below average mixer is not going to give you all the capabilities of the compressor and therefore probably won't be a drastic improvement.. You're pretty much only going to be as good as the weakest link in your chain, and in my experience that goes right down to the cables as well.

So long story short.. I'd look at upgrading to a better interface first and foremost.. then i would look at a mic/channel strip combo to really improve more on your source sound.. The better the source.. the better the plugins work in my experience. Hope this was helpful at all.. Best of luck. pz
 
Why on Earth are you plugging a Behringer mixer into a Fast Track Pro? First, you are stacking the 2 preamps, adding their noise floors together. The fast track has vastly better preamps than a Behringer mixer. For starters, just plug the mic into the Fast Track and use the Behringer for the only thing it's good for in that setup- doing a side mix of a bunch of drum mics.
OK, you can plug a line into the combi-jacks in the front panel, but you can't bypass the preamps in the fast track without sending it a digital signal. I know this is more than you are contemplating spending (a bit), but it would kill 3 birds with one stone: It would allow you to send a digital signal to the Fast Track by S/PDIF, bypassing it's preamps (I think). It would give you a better preamp for vocals or whatever, and it would give you a fairly aggressive outboard compressor ideally suited for vocals, and usable outboard EQ:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=43702&Category=Audio_Processors

If you don't go with that, or anything else. start by getting that Behringer out of your signal chain!-Richie
 
The kind of music I make is an electronic hip hop sort (mp3's: http://www.zshare.net/download/62608721acdfeeff/). The compressor would be for personal use primarily (at least for now), and mainly for vocals, but probably a few instruments as well, like acoustic guitar, melodica, and harmonica.

I'm aware that it could be risky business compressing while recording, but I think it'd be able to hit it lightly and be okay. And if not, since they're just my own bedroom recordings, I can always adjust the settings and rerecord.

Recently got Pro Tools 8 M-Powered, and I've been pretty exclusively Pro Tools since I started college, which I finished last month. I don't really have the money to buy a better Digidesign interface right now, which is why I use the Fast Track Pro. I also have my mic or two, drum machine, keyboard, synth, whatever all plugged into the mixer, so I don't have to unplug and plug cables into the interface anytime I want to record, just raise the faders. That's why the mixer is going to the interface. When I first got the Fast Track, I plugged a mic in and tested the pres and I didn't really like them. That was a while ago though, and I kind of just decided never to plug a mic directly in there again. But maybe I should give it another shot... Thanks for the replies.
 
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Go with the RNC it cheap and transparent, but if I were you I'd be saving up for a pre-amp/interface. The m-audio Dmp3 should make a bigger difference in sound then the RNC and compression can be added ITB. There are some decent free ones.
 
Just one opinion

While I agree that a better signal path and preamp would be a great help, but the idea that something along the lines of a FasTrack or DMP3 is going to be any kind of improvement worth writing home about is rather questionable, IMHO.

You want to get a preamp worth upgrading to - indeed, that actually IS an upgrade - and get your compressor to boot, get an ART 215 Pro Channel. It's a Pro MPA tube pre, Pro VLA compressor, and tube paraEQ, all in one unit for a measly $300.

Ad far as the whole "but I want Pro Tools" thing, that's fine; keep your mAudio unit for the interface. Record your raw tracks into any easy software you want - it doesn't matter when all you're doing is recording. Then for mixing, just import the track files into Pro Tools and you're good to go.

G.
 
I have the Behringer Xenyth 1204 FX and had the Fast Track Pro so I'm well familiar with your set up.
I'd suggest that you would do much better if you run your vocal mic straight into the Fast Track Pro. Behringers are great wee mixers but a little too noisy for recording in general and far too noisy for vocals.
You can still run your other stuff through the mixer and into the second Fast Track Pro via XLR (In mono though).
But in all honesty, I do think you'd do better by taking the Behringer out of the way.
I've only ever had one compressor so I can't say whether it's good or great compared to the others. It's the Joe Meek 3Q. A channel strip which I love. A little dark but a nice piece of gear.
By the way, I'm sure most here will agree that compression is probably the only effect that you should add before the DAW and is for many of us, the right way to do it.
 
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