Adom Doledas


I guess my question sounded quite stupid then

Not really dood, and there are no laws, rules and regulations regarding how we do things in the music recording world. Generally, if it works for you then fine, do it.


I'm self taught and I've picked up some whacky habits along the way and do some pretty unorthodox things. It is the end result that matters.


And never be afraid to ask questions, it's how we learn, and there are always peeps here who will chip in and try to help.


Good luck with your projects now and in the future.


cheers


andy

Digital compression won't work before the sound gets digitalized - that is just the nature of the beast.  So anything in the effects bin or PC happens afterward, and it doesn't matter of you do the effecting during recording or during mixing - it is all the same to the digital audio.

The exception to this (kind of) is the new Apollo UA interface, with UA effects built in.

But Adom, that won't help w/ what you are asking about, since you are having the problem during recording.  Only analog hardware will help before the AD convertor.  I almost always use a touch of compression going in.  Transformers and good electronics help round out the sound going in, making it sound more like what I know good sound sounds like from the good ole days.  Even today most professional music is done on boards and w/ good electronic equipment which puts a stamp on the sound, even when it is recorded to digital medium.  So a good input chain helps, and a good compressor will help even out the different volume levels while you record.  There is no reason (usually and only if you know what you are doing and how you want it to sound from long experience) to slam and stomp a sound to compressed death, but a little compression can help.  That is what a compressor does - compresses the level going in.  You may still need to do differnet takes if you are whispering and bellowing - that happens all the time.  But unless you are really extreme most of that can be taken care of by the room and a good mic and singing (or whispering) a little farther back into a preamp that won't crap out, backed by a compressor that will keep the loudest parts from overdriving the AD.

My take, anyway.

@

If its a vocal ( singer ) maybe using 2 vocal mics (same mic type) close to another and record those mic's to diffrent tracks, to record mic 1 at high gain to catch the quiet part and the 2nd mic to low gain to handle the Loud parts. Do an automation to blend the tracks together and send em to a Vox Bus vhere you insert a compressor there.. I guess you have a soundcard with 2 inputs! Adjust those to record at diffrent lvl, when recording. Good luck :)

Adom Doledas


I guess my question sounded quite stupid then, I'll have to let it go and save for a compressor I think. 

But still, I think it'd be very cool to have a real time software based compressor (or any kind of effect/processor) for those who just want to try, or use it as a temporary solution =(

No... not a stupid question.... 


So if you want a compressor working on the INCOMING signal from the mic.... that is an easy fix. Two ways to do that are as follows.


1. buy an outboard compressor and plug your mic into it and it into the interface and you're golden. They make some nice ones with tubes just for this purpose.


2. look at your interface. I have a Saffire by Focusrite and it has a software control panel which is where I set the presets it uses as default. I have the ability to set my source input levels and the output levels from the Interface into the DAW.... BUT ALSO, it contains an equalizer, a reverb, and..... a compressor.  Yep.... built right in to the interface and riding the signals going through the interface. I have the EQ flat, the reverb off, and the compressor set to a very, very mild setting. 


Other than that... we do want a dry signal coming in so we can work it the way we want from the FX bin and the controls. Imagine the pain in having to record a track multiple times just to get a reverb setting correct.