Try this if you can!!! Great loud punchy mix will ensue...

[SilentSound]

Alright. This is to anyone with a stereo tube preamp and a stereo compressor.

step 1 get a great mix
step 2 apply very light compression(2:1 @ -10db, fast attack and release
step 3 drive tube preamp to distortion then back of so it's clean
step 4 reduce compression ratio to 1.5:1 and drive it again but not clippin

If you did it right(right being a very flexible and subjective term)the tube takes up the rest of the compression ratio and is less audible than straight compression mess with it tell me what happens shinyshoes@hotmail.com cuz it works for me

 

[sonusman]

Been doing that since I put my studio together. Actually, I never add a compressor to the final, just the tube pre-amp. Mixes seldomly bump around more than 10db for most pop music. I let mastering take care of the little stuff. Have had good luck with GoldWave and using the Maximize feature. I tend to use compression more on sub-groups. Gives just a bit more flexibility to the mix. Ofter, a drum hit, or stereo guitars will cause a big jump. Don't really want a compressor grabbing my nice vocal because of an instrument. But I have heard some very fine mixes that had some slight compression on them (like most everything), but find that this is mostly done at mastering. Anyway, sounds like you are on to some good stuff here, so good luck.

Ed

 

[dbho]

That works great if you have the gear (and I do). I also get good results doing THE SAME THING with T-Racks mastering software

DBHO

 

[sonusman]

No you don't.

Ed