Mic placement?

[MOFO Pro]

Because it adds a desireable color to the vocal or instrument3).

This can be added to printed track..

It helps the performer control their own dynamics in the cue mix, so they actually can give a better performance. They don't get lost on the softer sections, and don't feel they have to back way off when they get loud. It lets them sing (or play) less self-consciously, allowing them to concentrate on musicality.

The same can be achieved by compressing just the monitor send...

I prefer to track without compression... But to your first point... as a limiter (for extreme transient peaks) it could find a place in my signal chain, but only if the source warrents it...

 

[EDAN]

Headroom can be achieved by compressing at any point in the process. The best engineers use compression when tracking mainly for three other reasons:

1) As a light limiter to control an unexpectedly loud transient
2) Because it adds a desireable color to the vocal or instrument
3) (And here's the one a lot of people forget): It helps the performer control their own dynamics in the cue mix, so they actually can give a better performance. They don't get lost on the softer sections, and don't feel they have to back way off when they get loud. It lets them sing (or play) less self-consciously, allowing them to concentrate on musicality.

Umm, yeah, I know, that's why I posted. Tell the delux guy.

 

[littledog]

Umm, yeah, I know, that's why I posted. Tell the delux guy.

Actually, the delux guy's advice was good. If you are having a problem, the idea is to eliminate everything but the essentials in the signal path, then try adding them back in to try and see where the problem is.

If you agree with my post, then we agree that having a compressor in the path is not absolutely essential. Jackrip was frustrated with the quality of his tracks. In order to isolate the problem, one often has to go by process of elimination.

This could include:

Moving the mic to a different room in the house
Switching microphones
Changing mic position
Switching all extraneous processing in and out of the signal path - this would include any compression and EQ
Changing cables (if you are having a really bad problem)
Changing the order of processing
Getting better sound sources (instruments and players)

But just because Big Guy from Big Studio always uses a compressor, doesn't mean a compressor will always help - especially considering that Big Guy probably has a much better compressor and much better technique in using it.

 

[buryher17]

my suggestion is learn as much as you need to knwo about your equipment, then place the mic at a 45degree angle faced at the bottom right cone [if a stack] towards the edge of the cone [duh to the fact that the actual sound is emensed from there]

just mess with it til you get the best sound. The mic and the volume makes a big deal.

Also, play loud. Turn up that amp loud, and avoid any clipping. The louder it is, the better i find on the low end part of recording. And all the effects in your head are also still shown well. [plus if in a room, you wont hear your mom yelling across the house, your fan moving, or your computer hum]