Hi everyone

I'm now at the stage of tracking vocals so...
*Do you guys use compressor when tracking vocal?
*If so, does the compressor that comes with Sonar Producer does the job?
*Do you use the same compressor for vocal when mixing?
*Any tips for how to adjust the compressor when tracking/mixing?

I've watched many videos and read many things about it and still it's not that clear

...by the way, i'm tracking a metal  type of singer (Lamb of god,Trivium etc...)

Thanks

You're going to almost have to use a hardware compressor to catch the peaks of a metal singer.  Mixing later with plugins is fine but unless you track at very low levels and bring it up later, I'd use hardware on the way in...

I use a Behringer vocal processor/preamp. It has all voice optimized EQs, comps, de-esser, gate etc. was around $100 and sounds really good. Just a single channel processor. I have a tascam FW1884, and the Behringer sounds much better than the tascam. I will admit, if i would have to get another one, next time I am gonna spend a little money and get a nicer one. But I already have it and it sounds good, so I wll use it.  THere are many options for compressors.  Also,  I am not sure if I read it in a post or saw it in a tutorial, but if you are recording in 24 bit, you can get by without a hardware compressor, just use the compressors which come with Sonar. My comment will probably light up this discussion post of what the best thing to do is, however if you are like me and on a budget, do as much as you can with what you already have. If you got the cash and are willing to spend it, you would be happy with a good harware compressor, def not a bad investment.
 
If you can't get a hardware compressor: A couple of pointers, keep the mic at least 12" from the vocalist's mouth, You don't need to have a super loud signal while recording, the compressors in Sonar help that plenty. What I usually do is the verses and choruses on seperate tracks. If the vocals are really dynamic (quiet to loud), then just set the level so you don't clip, and add compressor(s) later.  Maybe someone else has a better idea or more pointers for  you.
Good luck with it!

This is where a good quality hardware channel strip is worth it's weight in gold.

For Metal, we use a fast FET style comp/limiter to catch the peaks on the way in and give the vocal that aggressive character. ( Distressor, UA 6176, anything in that catagory...Presonus Eureka is the cheapest alternative to those spendy ones that dos'nt suck and you can sweep the transformer )

If the vocalist is too far from the mic, ( over 12 inches ) you will get more of the room and less of the mouth and vocal bite. This is where a pop filter is most important especially with brutal/death screams and growls.

The mic is key here for metal as well..Shure SM7b is the goto mic for most metal/hard rock. Its not the most expensive but, Its the standard. If you cant pop for the 300 bucks then beleive it or not, a 58 with a pop filter will come pretty close but you will have to crank the crap out of both of them as they are dynamic and not condensor mics....this is where the mic pre-amp / channel strip starts to earn it's money. 

Its garbage in, garbage out...one good channel strip will make the most of an inferior audio interface's mic pre's and save you work later. The goal is not to overcompress on the way in, its to keep from clipping while capturing all the crazy dynamics that a metal vocalist is gonna throw at you.....from wild screams to whispers.

Sonar has a great compliment of comps once your tracked and you can tweak till your hearts content after the fact.

An external comp is the only thing that effects the signal coming in - the SONAR (and other soft) compressers only effect the sound after conversion.  You would do just as well to use them during mixing.

Once digital, SONAR Xxx has the Prochannel, and that includes the 1176 module, which should be just right for metal (and a bunch of other styles, too, modeled after the UA 1176 compressor.

As for an external comp/channel - that depends upon your tastes and budget. 

@

Good points.

Unless you have the budget, software will outperform hardware at most price points, certainly at the lower end of the scale

Using a less than stellar comp on the way in will only compromise the recording.

Just make sure you record @ 24 bit and adjust the gain on your interface so that the peaks are anywhere between -18dB & -9dB  and you''ll be good to go.

I agree with Bristol. It depends on the qaulity of the compressor you use going into the interface. I have always used a hardware compressor for vox and acoustic guitars. It has saved my neck so many times I've lost count.

Sidroe - Out of curiosity, what compressor are  you using for vocals and acoustic guitar?

Thanks!

HELLYA


Hi everyone

I'm now at the stage of tracking vocals so...
*Do you guys use compressor when tracking vocal?
*If so, does the compressor that comes with Sonar Producer does the job?
*Do you use the same compressor for vocal when mixing?
*Any tips for how to adjust the compressor when tracking/mixing?

I've watched many videos and read many things about it and still it's not that clear

...by the way, i'm tracking a metal  type of singer (Lamb of god,Trivium etc...)

Thanks

Both hardware and software!
 
*For tracking vocals---------> I use high quality Mic (Manley mic),  high quality hardware preamp, ("VOXBOX").. hardware Compressor, gate/expander, DeEsser+ EQ in the chain into input of the DAW. No softwares!
 
 
*Lead vocal track typical chain in the computer in "VOCAL LEAD BUS"! 
All softwares plugins-------> Chain.---->  DeEsser--> Compressor -----> Pro Channel EQ SSL G-series----->---> "VOCAL MIX-BUS"
 
 
 
*All vocal editing: Melodyne editor and normal move, cut and paste and comping audio clips.
 
 
 
 
Your questions!
Q*If so, does the compressor that comes with Sonar Producer does the job?  
Yes, the PC 1176LN.
You can also buy the extra LA2-Teletronix. That do it even better and are made for vocals - PC2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier 
LA2- works also great on Guitars, bass and other instruments
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/ProChannel-Modules/PC2A-T-Type-Leveling-Amplifier.aspx
 
 
Q*Do you guys use compressor when tracking vocal?
Hardware only
 
 
Q*Any tips for how to adjust the compressor when tracking/mixing? 
Overall--- ----> Never go over 4 in Ratio. 2-3 Ratio work best!
ON VOCAL-------> Kind of fast Attack but not too fast on vocals! Fast Release.
 
Different instruments have different settings! Takes years to master compressors..
 
Hope it help!
 
 

A good singer is always the KEY to a great recorded vocal of any style...just my 2 cents. Being that this is a metal guy...a good few beers and/or shots...set the mood!