What is the best/easiest compressor program?

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Nesta Records

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Hey, I am using MOTU 892 into cakewalk. What do you guys think would be the best compressor program that i could use? I am new to recording so stick with me! Give me your thoughts!

THanks
 
The LA2A in the UAD collection is probably one of the most versatile and simple plugs out there. Two knobs, one switch, no crackles or hiss.
 
A volume fader, or better still an automated volume fader.
 
masteringhouse said:
A volume fader, or better still an automated volume fader.

could you give me a program name? Somthing i can look at, to learn more about?

thanks!
 
Adobe Audition and Sonar4 both have volume envelope automation, I use both of these.
 
kylen said:
Adobe Audition and Sonar4 both have volume envelope automation, I use both of these.

I think cake walk has a volume envelope, but dosent a compressor do every thing for you?
 
Nesta Records said:
I think cake walk has a volume envelope, but dosent a compressor do every thing for you?
Well - I hate to be the 5 millionth person today to paraphrase Bob Katz (hehe - no I don't) but his Mastering book has a few really good sections on adjusting microdynamics (transient & balance perspective) and macrodynamics (song perspective)...

If you need or want to deal with the dynamics of an instrument and readjust its' ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, release) envelope for any reason (maybe you want to add some punch in time to the music) a compressor is usually pretty handy. You could do it with a volume envelope but you'd need to make 12,000 edits or so (just guessing) whereas educated compressor settings can make it happen for you. Or if you need to rebalance things that are sticking out you can do that too, or add compressor color, etc.

If you want to accent or rebalance different portions of the song (intro, verse, chorus, solo, outro) then a few volume envelope edits here and there will do it. If just a few things are sticking out here and there then a few volume envelopes can fix it without having a compressor kickin and out for the entire song. I just did a vocal comp putting 2 different lead tracks together so there's another volume envelope use.

I almost forgot - you were asking about compressors. Last night I was looking for one kind of like a tape where when, past a certain point when you push into it the output gain doesn't rise any further no matter what. Actually that's like a compressor/limiter combination but it doesn't get all gritty when you push it too hard. I used VST/DX PSP MixPressor to do that and it had a real good 'feel' I don't use that one much since I'm usually into mastering feel plugs but I was working on an individual track for that one. There's all kinds of different compressors and applications and ways to set them up...
 
My response was a bit tongue in cheek, and the old school way (very old) of doing it.

Keylen (and Mr. Katz) are correct.

Macro dynamics is the process of adjusting the volume of a larger portion of the material, and volume automation is the better way to handle this. Shorter transient material is better handled through a compressor, and shorter yet through limiting. This is often the mistake made by budding audio engineers in that they try to apply the wrong process to fix a problem For example when people use an L2 (limiter) to squash the daylights out of everything macro, micro, and midcro (my term) dynamics.

Rather than trying to find a simple easy to use compressor that you hope will cure all ills, it would be better to start learning how to use all of the tools by experimentation or sit down with someone that knows and can show you.
 
Nicley stated Bob err... Kylen.

Tom great tips on the transient material handling. Guess I've fallen to the -put a comp on everything syndrome.

T
 
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