Hardware compression on bass tracking?

I was tracking bass this week and decided to lightly compress and limit using my rack mounted hardware compressor I use for my live PA rig. I found that I could set at will my maximum track input level and not stray a single decimal point over. It improved my playing, and was still dynamic enough to post process with amp sim incorporating more compression as or if needed. I always read here that untreated tracking is preferable but I cant see any downside to this method.
 
Comments?

As long as you haven't toally killed the dynamics Gary, I'd say go with it.

You've already said it's improved your playing (presumably by not having to 'hold back' if you think you might be in danger of feeding too hot a signal)

I always track bass in one of 2 ways - both of which involve a DI feed.

First method is the traditional 'mic up an amp', the second is through my Bass V-Amp.

Most of my patches have a compressor built in, and it's easy to compare the 2 tracks afterwards, DI & V-Amp.

The V-Amp has far less dynamics, but it does even out some of the peaks that are really visible on the DI track (which is then compressed anyway).

I've never agreed that unprocessed tracking is necessarily "preferable."

It's certainly not more important than getting the sound you're after.  And if you KNOW the sound your after requires a certain amount of THIS or THAT...why not put it there to begin with?

But...since we're talking about it, I don't use a limiter or compressor to avoid overs since I PEAK at approx -12.  If I'm using compression or limiting on the front end, I'm doing it simply because I like the sound of it.

When tracking bass, it's not unusual for me to compress on the way in, AND compress in multiple stages in a mix.

I always read here that untreated tracking is preferable but I cant see any downside to this method.

It just depends on the bass player and the sound your going for.
For example, if the bass player plays with some slapping, you may need a compressor/limiter on the recording chain to tame those hi peaks you get from slapping the bass strings.
 
Another example is that all hardware compressors, have their own tonal sounds. Like vacuum tube comps/limiters and so on.
 
I like recording bass with some sort of hardware compressor in the chain. I dont slam it. I just give it a touch, so that the hardware compressor adds to the sound while taming some peaks..
 
Here is a link on Bass Recording and it has some info on using compressors during the tracking/recording stage.
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#31
Here is also an in depth *(well as in depth as I can write..LOL) article on compressors
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#22
 
Cj
 

almost all of the interviews i read with pro mix engineers, report that they use compression on tracking bass.


i have always used compression on every track i input.

i like the sound of DBX compression on the flavor of the tracks, so that's what i like to use.

i use it on micing guitar, direct bass, micing vocals, micing percussion, just everything.


the trick is learning HOW to use a compressor for the different purposes it can serve.


color the sound.
tame the sound.
thicken the sound.
give impact to the sound.
take impact away from the sound.
limit the peaks.
exagerate the peaks.


tracking with compression in line, is tricky, because it's permanent.

don't do it, til you're ready, or at least, have a healthy interest in experimenting, and be willing to toss tracks that don't work out.

I'm a cheat nowadays due to the style of music I do I use samples (vsti) and control peaks events (velocity values) PRV.

If was doing Hardcore, Punk, Rock, then I'd go for the 'real' deal and grab a Fender Precision or Ricky, although a more affordable option would be an Ibanez.

Normally I prefer to record bass 'dry' DI.  As for compressors? if not careful with the compressor settings it can add a little too much sustain especially when used in combination with an amp or amp/sim with the drive on and that extra sustain is not so good if your playing 8th notes since it can make the bass sound less clearer, (going on memory here because I haven't used 'real' bass guitar in my recording for quite a while).... set the attack fastest, the release short! Generally I would not use much compression and if need be I use a limiter (or setup hardware compressor as limiter) to control peaks!

Bristol_Jonesey


I hear what you're saying Greg - but you might consider lengthening the attack just a little bit, say about 5ms - 10ms to let some of the transients through and not kill all the dynamics off.

You can always tighten it up a bit more in the mix afterwards.

Once those transients are lost, they're lost forever (usually )

Ah, yes you're right about the attack and transients, (my mistake)!