When compressing vocals.....

     Is it better to insert the compressor before recording, or should you do your vocals, then go back and put on the compression? Also, i have alot of trouble finding a perfect volume with my mic, always too high or too low. If i was to insert a limiter before recording, could i set the volume as high as I wanted to, and it wouldnt really matter?

You don't need a compressor/limiter before recording if you use 24 bits.  There should be more than enough headroom with sensible levels.  That being said, there is nothing wrong with using a comp during recording as long as you don't go hog wild.  A little comping going in helps with flattening a vocal or other lead so it sits in the mix.

The problem you are having is a technical one - finding the right level from your preamp.  Since you provide no specs or style, a couple of general ideas can help.  If your vocal is all over the place dynamically, a comp can help.  If your problem is overs, a limiter can help.  But it could just be your preamp.  Most interface preamps have several problems - they don't have enough headroom being the first.  This will often force you to get too close to the mic for quiet sections, and no matter how far off you back off it will overload your preamp or convertor.  Pro preamps have lots of gain, so you can back off the mic and still hear the quiter stuff and not crap out on the louder.  A corrallary of this is a lot of times the gain at the extreme high end bunches up so it is very hard to set the input gain.  A slight touch will be too much change either way.  There is also the fact that cheaper IC preamps won't sound as good strained as they do at a more modest sound level.  High end (ie. expensive) preamps are more expensive for a reason - they perform better at stress levels.  A transformer also can help smooth things.

Some of this is technique, too.  If you are a mic eater (like a live show), you are going to have problems.  Back off the mic, use a pop filter to keep you back, nail your feet to the floor.

Finally, a comp can help define and squeeze down the dynamic range.  They are basically automated volume controllers, letting you bring up the quieter stuff when you bring down the louder parts.  They squeeze together the extemes of the dynamic range so that whispers are louder and yells aren't.  A limiter is basically a hard comp that won't let the vol get any louder than where it is set, and usually clamps down fast.  But these are tools that won't help too much unless your singing technique is up to snuff and if you don't have too extreme dynamic problems to begin with.

@

thanks,

m@

what is with all the ats? ;-)