Question about recording vocals and compression

  • Thread starter Thread starter Speedy VonTrapp
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Speedy VonTrapp

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I've been doing a ton of reading since first coming to this site, and I've got a pretty good handle on the way that I'm going to be doing things, at least to start with. I still have an issue that I can't seem to work out that well yet, so I thought I'd ask about it here.

I know I've posted my crappy setup before, but I'll do it again here for this thread. (At least the relevant parts.)

I have an SM58, and a Peavey Diamond 22 V Series mic to record with. (Lack of budget leaves me with no other mics for now, I accept that, and will just work with what I've got.)

I have no pre-amp for the mic. I have a portable PA, but other than that, no way to really mic a speaker for the vocals.

I also have a Digitech Vocal 300 pedal, which I love. I found out the hard way about using it for recording, though. My settings that sounded great live, make me sound like I'm in a tin can when I recorded vocals before.

I use a Yamaha MD4S, then route that into Pro Audio 9.

My question is this: Most of what I've read seems to suggest that putting compression on the track as it's being tracked is a good thing. The only way that I can achieve this is by using the vocal pedal that I have. Should I do this, and set it so that there are no effects, EXCEPT for the compression? And, will running through the PA be a "better than nothing" setup for micing a speaker for the track, or is going direct better?

I realize that there are MUCH better methods overall, but considering my equipment, and lack of ability to upgrade right now, I'm going to do it using what I have, and do the best that I can with it.

Any suggestions are very appreciated!

Thanks!

-Speedy
 
Speedy, compression is only a good idea if you know what you're wanting to do with it - badly used compression makes things worse, not better. I have just posted a tome on this subject here .

An alternative to using the vocalist pedal (which subjects your signal to yet another analog-digital-analog conversion) is software effects plugins. I'm not familiar with Pro Audio 9, but I thought it supported DX plugins, and there are freeware dx plugs including compressors/dynamics out there.

Steve
 
Good thread there, Steve...

I'm pretty sure that I fall into the category of the person you spoke of that feels the need to use it because someone told me to. Granted, it was articles read from this site, and others that said so. I understand what the compressor does, I just have no real experience with it yet, and haven't experimented with it much. I probably need to do just that, now that I've read enough to know what it is, and how it's supposed to work. Putting into practice sounds like the next step in learning how to use it wisely.

I know Pro Audio has some effects, and you're right, I can probably download a good plug-in if I need to. I simply suggested the pedal because many of the articles that I read almost preached about using a compressor on everything, all the time, PREFERABLY in the tracking stage. If it's not that neccessary, then I just won't worry too much about it for now, and experiment with it until I feel comfortable.

Thanks!

-Speedy
 
Experimentation is good - get started, try things out researching them as you go, and you'll end up doing fine. I compress a lot of things now, and I think my sound benefits from it, but only because I've (hopefully) learned to use compression subtlely and well. I read a lot and experimented a bit to do it.

Hardware compressors do have some advantage - hands-on for learning makes it easier for some people (myself included), and limiting peaks before they hit your A-D converters prevents overload. But start with what you've got already or can get for free!!!

Steve
 
High Speedy!

I would not recommend using compression on your way in until you've tried a lot to work with compression. Record a little lower (be sure not to clip) and then experiment with the compression to get the sound you want. There might be more digital artefacts but IMO these are better than to have a spoiled track due to overcompression (though I doubt it really exists ;-) )

I would not try to mic your PA speakers, but you might think of using a direct not (NOT THE SPEAKER OUT) of your PA if it exists... Might sound better than going direct...

aXel
 
don't compress going in unless you have to and by have to i mean you are recording someone who is so untamed that you can not find a gain setting such that you can record them at a decent level without digital overs (0db).

when you've got a few buck, get yourself a mic-pre. just get an m-audio audio buddy or art tube mp off of ebay. without phantom power that mic of yours isn't going to get a good sound going into the minidisc.

if your money is really, really bad, then just get phantom power (Rolls PB23 approx. $20 on ebay) since your minidisc has gain, but no phantom power.
 
When I sing at what seems to be a normal level, I clip. Compression solves this for me, but at a cost. I find that the vocals are muddier when they're compressed. Is there any way that you can compress vocals while maintaining the same degree of resolution that you would have without compression?
 
crosstudio said:
don't compress going in unless you have to ...
Click to expand...

I 100% agree. IMO you should get your vocals (or any other signal) into your computer by the shortest possible route. Every piece of "home rec quality" gear you put your signal through is going to degrade the quality of your audio.
Ideally your path should be mic >> pre >> sound card. Anything else will diminish your signal.

If you need to control dynamics going in, do it with mic position or delivery. If you are recording someone that simply cannot alter their delivery (novice), then you may have to limit the signal on the way in only to keep them from peaking out. Otherwise, leave compression for later.

Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com
 
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