Which instruments most often need to be tracked w/ compression?

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amra

amra

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Vocals?
Eletc. Guitar?
Bass?

kick?
snare?
cymbals?
toms?

I know compression can be done after, but which of these benefit the most from compression DURING tracking.

Thanks
Amra
 
According to the ol' ssscientist, bass guitar can almost always use anywhere from a little brushing to a solid fistfull of compression, and you'll get a much smoother vocal that sits in the track better if you use a low ratio, high threshold compressor to track it thru. The DBX 160 set @ 1.5:1 is my first choice for vocals...

Everything else should be played by ear --- an attribute Mr. Albini is sadly lacking. If you have a drummer who needs to be compressed or gated to hell he/she is a poor enough player that you should probably consider alternatives like a drum machine or using the tape/hard disk tracks to fire samples.
 
Well aside from the previous answers, here's my input:


You don't really need compression while tracking and is probably better to avoid using it during that time. That's my personal stance on that.

However, you generally use compression during tracking when you want to control the intruments dynamic range a little better. A light setting (probably no more than 3:1) would be fine without adverse effects later on.


Vocals usually get the compression treatment more than most other instruments. Although I've found that horns get that treatment a lot as well.
 
Use compression wherever it imparts a musical quality to the track and it pleases you (or your client).
 
I track everything but guitars and overheads wtih compression. the advantage to using it on the way in is that because compression raises your overall volume, it increases noise. if you compress on the way in, you are increasing noise from your signal chain. if you compress during mixing, you are increasing noise from your signal chain AND from the tape or digital medium. and your digital medium does have noise. I would not compress cymbals.
 
Cool.
One of the main things I was wondering about is Cymbals.

I have the ability to compress 3 channels while I am tracking. The vocals, to me are a no brainer, but I wasn't sure where the other 2 would be best used. I am not a big fan of recording guitar compressed. I was thinking maybe on bass and the kick.


Thanks
Amra
 
Yeah, bass and kick. I would avoid compressing cymbals at all cost. You may want some on the odd song after the recording but it's not often.
 
None of my tracks ever "need" compression. If the track is clipping, turn it down. However, a lot of my tracks get compresison because it just sounds better to me. Thats a whole different scenario though;)
 
Vox, and Bass. That's it for me usually (And both usually just set to no more than 4:1 Ratio, But with a fairly high Threshold with Medium-Fast Attack and Release.
 
i dont compress to "tape" (daw) but if i did i bet it would be on clean electric
it can suprise you
 
Lots of the "big boys" compress cymbals. Just make sure you use decent comps:)
 
I say use alittle on vocals for alittle more headroom (2:1)....use a like (3:1) on bass just to smooth it out a bit while recording and stick a limiter on the bass drum...so you can keep it loud and not peak...then compress it alittle later. Maybe alittle on snare for some headroom if your drummer sucks and whacks it all differently hahaha....but you shouldnt need that...i think those three are your best bet!
 
I compress vocals and bass....thats about it. I try to use compression as little as possible.
 
Depends on what I'm going for. If it's pristine i.e jazz or anything which requires clarity, then nothing. I watch or ride the levels.

If it's anything else, usually vox and bass get the treatment; at least limiting, maybe compression.

banjos, dobros, acoustic guitar, mandolin, string things that can jump out at you might also get a slight treatment.
 
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