recorded volume level vs a compressor??????

[jungkang]

I found that the volume of my cassette recording is pretty low compared with a regular commercial tape. I went to a local music store and asked the pro audio guy there what I could do. He suggested to use a compressor. I was pretty convinced by what he told me what the least expensive compressor can do. However, after checking some recording web sites about compressors. I am not sure the a compressor is what I need. Personally I like more or less big dynamic range, but if I use a compressor, it'll take away the dynamic differences and does the opposite as what I like. The salesperson told me that a compressor also can blend the music better in a way because of compressed sound. Does anybodt have any thoughts on the recorded volume level vs. a compressor or other thoughts on a compressor??

 

[Gidge]

First you need to insure you are getting good levels to tape....a good preamp with help out with dynamic range...then at mixdown, you want to record it at a good level (if you arent metering it shame on u).....

what equipment are you using at each stage (recording and mixdown)?....

 

[Bob Moore]

Compression

I have only been in this forum for a short period and I see so many people trying to use Compression to make things louder.

Compressors compress.... it's as simple as that.

Gidge is right you need to get a good signal to tape and work from that.

This will depend on the type of equipment you are using.

The only time I use compression is to tame an unruley vocal or bass/guitar track or on some drum tracks. But that is for the type of music I'm working with.

Some mild compression on the overall mix will sometimes give it a little extra punch.

You can use a compressor to get some different effects as well, but that requires some experimenting.

The thing about recording rules is............THERE ARE NO RULES.


You talk about the dynamic differences, do you mean in the final mix or in the individual track. some heavy compression on one instrument may make another stand out.

It's all what you want the final outcome to be.

As Above, there are no rules, compression and all the other processing will change with each song and genre of music and your personal taste as an engineer/producer.

Hope this didn't confuse or discourage you.

Bob

 

[Bob Moore]

Recorded Volume Level vs Compresssor

Oops sorry I didn't even address the issue.

A few things to check:
What kind of tape are you using and does your deck support it?
Does your cassette deck have an adjustable record level?
Does it have a metering system?
What is the level of the original signal?
Are the connectors you are using in good condition?

Can anyone think of anything else

 

[zoetrope]

Is Jupiter aligned with Mars?

"Personally I like more or less big dynamic range, but if I use a compressor, it'll take away the dynamic differences"

Well, there's intentional dynamic differences and then there's the stuff that creeps in and lowers the average volume of the song without adding much. Just one little transient peak can lower the whole song's volume (assuming you normalize the song so you don't clip). Removing that peak with a compressor/limiter will allow you to normalize the mix, get the average volume up, and actually improve the dynamic range of the entire mix.

Wait, did I just say that you can use a compresser to increase the dynamic range of a song? Yes. I did.

Hit me with your best shot.