Serious Noob

[NOOB101]

i just bought a compressor (alesis 3630) ..and im running it through my Tascam 1641..the Output of one channel of my Compresser is going into an Input Line and one of my output of my tascam interface is going into the compressor input. Is that the correct way to connect it?

if that is the case, this is what im doing (and im probably way wrong):

While im recording the song, i leave my compressor on and the light lines move as if they're doing their job.
After im done recording, i make a new audio track (i choose the line that my compressor is in).and then i record and the whole song is recorded in that one track, using my compressor.

am i doing this completely wrong? =( lol

 

[Massive Master]

Right or wrong, (A) I'd pull it out of the loop and (B) If you're not hearing it, I'd highly suggest pulling it out of the loop also.

Otherwise - Reading your path, yes, something sounds "way wrong" from what I can tell...

What's feeding the compressor?

 

[NOOB101]

Right or wrong, (A) I'd pull it out of the loop and (B) If you're not hearing it, I'd highly suggest pulling it out of the loop also.

Otherwise - Reading your path, yes, something sounds "way wrong" from what I can tell...

What's feeding the compressor?

when you mean "feeding the compressor"..do u mean something like...running a vocal mic through the input of the compressor..and then output into the interface?

 

[Massive Master]

Whatever is going into the compressor - Whatever is being compressed. There's a line level device (not a microphone) going into the compressor - What is it?

 

[NOOB101]

Whatever is going into the compressor - Whatever is being compressed. There's a line level device (not a microphone) going into the compressor - What is it?

i have four outputs on my tascam 1641 interface..and on one output im connecting it with a 1/4 into one of the two inputs in the compressor. and then from the output of the compressor im putting it on a line input in my interface..

i think im doing it wrong lol

 

[mikemorgan]

Are you trying to use the compressor as an outboard device for your DAW, i.e. buss in/out?

 

[NOOB101]

Are you trying to use the compressor as an outboard device for your DAW, i.e. buss in/out?

im not sure what im trying to do! lol i just want my recordings to sound better...LOL and i heard with a compressor it compresses the sound making the sound tighter..that's what i want..i want everything to sound tighter..how do i do that?

 

[Massive Master]

I'd just sell it... Seriously, the 3630 isn't exactly - uh - Maybe for live stuff when you don't care about it much anyway. If you're recording to a DAW, you're going to get much better performance from even the most modest digital compressors. Don't get me wrong - I'm a whore for good analog equipment. But not for the 3630...

A compressor isn't going to make something sound "tighter" -- I mean, when it's used properly, you can accentuate 'punch' to some extent, but by definition, the thing is reducing the dynamic range - Decreasing contrast between loud and quiet.

But in any case, you really need to start by learning how to use your I/O's before you actually damage something. It can happen...

 

[Chili]

The right way to do what you want is to use Insert Points. Unfortunately, the 1641 does not have Inserts. Another possiblilty is to assign the vocal track to an output buss that the comperssor is on, then feed it back into another Line In. Whew, that's a lot of work for little benefit.

I agree with Massive, don't even try to use the 3630. If you're using the free Cubase LE4 that came with the 1641, it will have some pretty decent Dynamics plugs. You can also download free plugs like the Kjaerhus Classic series at

http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/download.php

Go to the Free Plugs section and download all those puppies. They're very good for free.

Cheers,