OK to record with basic compression on Master?

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adamlewis723
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2009/07/19 08:41:06 (permalink)

OK to record with basic compression on Master?

Hello,

One thing that always annoyed me was low volume levels during writing and recording new tracks so I decided to put a basic "Final Mix" preset of "Vintage Channel" on my master bus just to get a fatter and louder sound... I will remove when I am done to mix and master properly... BUT am I making some kind of big mistake doing this?

Thank You,
Adam
post edited by adamlewis723 - 2009/07/19 08:44:24

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    Beagle
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/19 08:59:15 (permalink)
    it will add latency to your output, so it depends on how you're recording and what your latency is and how you're monitoring as to whether or not it will affect you.

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    AL 321
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/19 11:23:31 (permalink)
    I don't use the Vintage Channel, but if it's maximizing/limiting, then i would just say to be careful. Maximizers can make big changes to sound, especially rhythmic elements, and sometimes when you switch the maximizer off, everything sounds flat and unpolished. So you should keep that in mind when working with a maximizer that's not going to be staying on there.
    I start every track with my maximizer on, but it stays on the finished product, so no great issue for me.

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    AT
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/19 12:22:08 (permalink)
    It is probably better just to turn up the raw tracks since the comp/limiting will change the sound - unless you are leaving it on throughout the process and mix through the effect. You can lean to compensate for it, but that is adding another learning curve (probably small but there none-the-less).

    Your choice, just be aware of the problem.

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    Texrat
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/19 16:27:28 (permalink)
    Just curious Adam-- can you walk through the specifics of how you would use Vintage Channel that way?
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    bitflipper
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/19 21:32:41 (permalink)
    I can't see anything wrong with having compression on the mains during tracking, other than the possible latency issues Beagle mentioned. As long as you bypass the compressor before starting your mix, it shouldn't be a problem.


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    adamlewis723
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/20 08:13:55 (permalink)
    You know what, i experimented, i took the compressor off the main bus and just turned the volume up about 10db... and I noticed it sounds BETTER... the compressor really does change the way everything sounds.

    Thank You All!

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    Guitarhacker
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/20 08:49:34 (permalink)
    I try to keep all my FX out of the main buss during tracking.....regardless of the sound. I will normalize a really low track from time to time..... but another solution is to make the input a bit hotter so you can hear it. Experiment with cranking it up..... regardless of the meters..... just to see what it sounds like. If it clips, back it off and use another method to get the track levels up.

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    Kim Lajoie
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    RE: OK to record with basic compression on Master? 2009/07/20 18:23:12 (permalink)
    I was going to say... I don't think it's a good idea. It'll make it difficult to judge the recording because it's changing how you're hearing the audio. If you're using it to audibly change the quality of the sound (you used the words "fatter and louder"), then you'll run the high chance of making your recordings thinner and weaker than you otherwise would. Also, if you're using it to apply gain, you're much better off simply turning up your monitoring (headphones, speakers).

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