Leadfoot
Not only is compression on the vocals okay, it's standard practice. You definitely need to level out the soft and loud spots. Just don't overdo it. You need to maintain some of the dynamics to keep it sounding natural.

Thanks, Leadfoot.
So, what's a good rule of thumb for maintaining dynamics? What should the range be in decibels?
 
The reason I'm asking is that in William Edstrom Jr.'s "Mixing with Sonar" video tutorial series, he makes adjustments as small as one db when leveling the lead vocal track and to my way of thinking, that doesn't leave much room for dynamics. And this is a track where the vocalist was obviously going for dynamics in his performance.

Well, the less compression you apply, the more dynamic range your vocal track will have. I don't really have a rule of thumb, so to speak. Every vocal track I do is different depending on the song. If it's a hard rock track, I'll put quite a bit of compression on the vocals so that they are at a consistent level that I can keep over the top of the rest of the instruments. If it's a softer ballad type song, I'll apply less compression so that the vocals maintain their intimate quality with softer and louder parts. Hope that helps.

Leadfoot
Well, the less compression you apply, the more dynamic range your vocal track will have. I don't really have a rule of thumb, so to speak. Every vocal track I do is different depending on the song. If it's a hard rock track, I'll put quite a bit of compression on the vocals so that they are at a consistent level that I can keep over the top of the rest of the instruments. If it's a softer ballad type song, I'll apply less compression so that the vocals maintain their intimate quality with softer and louder parts. Hope that helps.

Yes, it does. It sounds like it's mainly a matter of common sense. Thanks again, Leadfoot.

Before SSL was an equipment manufacturer, the term did indeed refer to RTL, DTL and later TTL transistorized (solid-state) logic gates. SSL (the console company) did in fact start life building solid-state logic circuits for pipe organs. At the time, "solid-state" was a widely-used marketing term as the electronics industry made the move from tubes to transistors, so SSL was capitalizing on broad familiarity with that phrase.
 
 

bitflipperBefore SSL was an equipment manufacturer, the term did indeed refer to RTL, DTL and later TTL transistorized (solid-state) logic gates. SSL (the console company) did in fact start life building solid-state logic circuits for pipe organs. At the time, "solid-state" was a widely-used marketing term as the electronics industry made the move from tubes to transistors, so SSL was capitalizing on broad familiarity with that phrase.

Thanks, bitflipper.

Got another question (or twelve):
What is a console emulator?
My understanding: the console is the mixing desk, usually found in the Dock. But if that's what it is, why is there a console emulator? Or does it emulate specific consoles? Have I answered my own question?
 

It emulates the characteristic sound of a specific console, like tape emulators emulate tapes and tape decks etc.

Many of the plug-ins including the Console emulator have a pretty extensive description if you hit F1 with the plug-in in focus.

scook
Many of the plug-ins including the Console emulator have a pretty extensive description if you hit F1 with the plug-in in focus.

Of course. Why I didn't think of that, I don't know.
Thanks, scook.

rontarrant

Bristol_Jonesey
I thoroughly recommend the following books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixing-Audio-Concepts-Practices-Tools/dp/0240520688
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixing-Secrets-Small-Studio-Senior/dp/0240815807
http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Your-Mind-Michael-Stavrou/product-reviews/0646428756
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Audio-The-Art-Science/dp/0240808371
Between them, they cover everything you will ever need to know apart from pure audio theory & acoustics.

Cool. Thanks very much, Jonesey. Which, in your opinion, is the best to read first?

 
I'd start with the Mike Senior one, then Roey Izhaki's book.
Leave the Bob Katz until last