Software compressor on input stage???

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skaman

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Recently we recorded some bas guitar tracks. I put software compressor on bas guitar input chanel (in cubase). I think that results are quite good, couse I could get more signal into track (i recorded it to digital -2 or -1 peak) and bas had much more power and fullness. Than I decided to compress a guitars a little bit too and you wont belive... without any mixing the tracks sit so well together, that I was totally impressed.

Does anybody elese practice this method?

You can say that I am total dumbass and that I dont know, what I am doing but please explain why do you think so!!!
 
...That's basically what compression is for. Providing fullness and balance in volume and tone.
 
Why not just put the same compressor on the output stage? By putting the compressor on the input, you are really changing anything in the converters, they have already done the conversion. However, you do run the risk of overcompressing and being stuck with it. On the output if you make a mistake you can change it:)
 
compressin on input stage and output stage isnt really the same thing i heard. if you compress on input stage you can load more of the signal onto track, without risk of clipping it. some experienced ingeneer told me to copress with hardware compressor on input stage an i gave him the exact same answer than you gave it to me xstatic. from my recent experience there really is difference.

try it your self.
 
But you said software compressor. There's the difference.
Wayne
 
In software, you are not truly compressing on the input stage. The sound has already been converted before the software comp, so you really using more bits or anything. All you are doing is putting more stress on your hard drive and processor (which on a halfway decent system should not be a problem though). If you were using a hardware compressor though on the analog end (before the A/D conversion) this is certainly a different story. If you compress before the conversion you can get a higher signal to the convertors before they do their job. This could certainly change the results. In a software environment however, you really are doing the exact same thing.
 
My guess is that you clipped the converters and like the limiting effect. The compressor happens after the converters, so it keeps you from seeing the clip. There is no way to put any more signal into the converter without having a compressor first. What you think is happening, isn't.
 
hey guys. my mistake. you all you are all gotdamn right. this is really foolish thing i did, i think that this is why two or three times bas clipped anyway.. software limiter couldnt hide distorded signal that overloaded converters. but from the mistakes we learn.

well thank god this is demo and that musicians were good.

and guys thanks for explenation, i really owe you a beer now. :)
 
There is nothing wrong with doing what you did if it sounds good. I just wanted you to understand that it was not working in the way that you thought it was so that you didn't end up with problems later:)
 
thank god that i wrote this, or i could end up with software compressor for a lifetime. :) the results are good, but there are still some reserves with HW compressors so i am glad, that you opened my eyes. thanks again guys!
 
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