Signal routing

[Mike O]

Signal routing?

Mic > Art TPS2 pre > YAMAHA aw16G.

Where would a compressor be placed in this chain? Although the AW16g has a built in compressors, the work after the input pre so you have to watch the input channel levels, then compression and not be sure what will actual be recorded. It just seams easier to put a good outboard compressor somewhere before the aw16G where you can observe the compressor levels and have the proper input level?

Another thing, I'm guessing you would want the compressor set pretty close to a finished product during tracking in that you would not hit the DYN control again during mix down. Note, I'm only recording vocals and acoustic guitar.

Any thoughts, opinions or suggestions greatly appreciated

 

[Nick_Black]

you could put the compressor before or after the pre-amp, it depends on what sound you going after, from my experience if you put it before the preamp it gives a more "washed out" compression, while after the preamp it gives a more "thick" compression, so it's up to you.

 

[XLR]

A compressor works on line level signal so it would come after the preamp (which puts out a line level signal).

But for acoustic guitar you're better off not compressing on the way in anyway. Probably for voice too. It's easy to set levels so you don't have overloading without using a compressor. Then you have complete freedom to process the file any way you want - including using a hardware compressor if you choose. Having the original files unprocessed becomes more important over time, as most people get much better gear as time goes on which they can then use on the original files and get them to sound even better.

Tim

 

[Mike O]

Thanks Nick and Tim.