Where are you using your compressor(s)?

[fred s.]

I finally got my hands on a quality compressor (RNC).

I was wondering where you guys are using these...I'm sure there's no "wrong" way, but is it more commonly used
while tracking, or is it better to use this through my mixer during a stereo mixdown?

 

[Golden]

I use a touch while tracking and a touch during the mixing process on the individual tracks via aux sends/returns... something like that...

 

[fred s.]

I was thinking the same

I use a touch while tracking and a touch during the mixing process on the individual tracks via aux sends/returns... something like that...

 

[zacanger]

I use a tiny bit (depending on the instrument/singer) while tracking, and whatever needs to be used during mixing.

 

[MCI2424]

I finally got my hands on a quality compressor (RNC).

I was wondering where you guys are using these...I'm sure there's no "wrong" way, but is it more commonly used
while tracking, or is it better to use this through my mixer during a stereo mixdown?

Anywhere you like. If you are sure of exactly the sound or effect you want, use it for tracking, if unsure, use it on mixdown.

If you choose to ONLY use it on mixdown, you will need an awful lot of compressors, which is why lots of guys have lots of compressors.

 

[Beck]

I finally got my hands on a quality compressor (RNC).

I was wondering where you guys are using these...I'm sure there's no "wrong" way, but is it more commonly used
while tracking, or is it better to use this through my mixer during a stereo mixdown?

The RNC is really nice I picked one up a couple years ago.

People use compression at different stages and for many different instruments.

While laying down tracks you can use it for snare, bass, vocals, guitar, just about anything. If you record one track at a time you only need one compressor.

For stereo mastering you only use one stereo compressor from the stereo buss of your mixer to the stereo in of your master recorder.

The RNC “manual” doesn’t have much to it. There are some great sources in print and online to get a better idea of how to get the most out of it.

http://www.alesis.com/support/notes/Signal_Processing/compbasc.pdf

http://www.recordingwebsite.com/articles/compression.php

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec00/articles/adcompression.htm?print=yes

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/apr96/compression.html?print=yes

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct99/articles/producedsound.htm?print=yes

http://www.recordinginstitute.com/R2KREQ/excomp.htm

http://www.recordingwebsite.com/rwtip/archive/rw34r.html

~Tim

 

[Slowrider]

Thanks, Beck, great info in them thar' links!

 

[hungovermorning]

My compression is tape

 

[Tim Gillett]

My compression is tape

If your compression is tape then your compression is compression plus harmonic distortion. It comes as a package deal.

Tim