T' & Vocal compression

[PaulG]

Got a question for those of you that do vocal recording with Tracktion:

Is the s/w compressor alone good enough for vocal compression without putting a hardware comp/processor pre-input to the PC?

I'm setting up Tracktion to be a "very good" writing/demno studion, and while I don't expect the songs to be played on the radio, I am investing in a Rode condenser mic and don't want to have to buy any outboard gear if I don't have to.

I have a really small Behringer Mixer and am considering a Tascam US-122 which has inserts for outboard gear...

Is outboard vocal processing gear necessary?

Thanks,

- Paul

[AD80]

I think this really does a great job on vocals. You definitely dont need any outboard gear.

www.voxengo.com/voxformer

[jens]

You definitely dont need any outboard gear.

no?

[AD80]

Nope. Well a Mic, and a pre-amp, and a soundcard. But you dont NEED any more compressors or EQ's or De-essers, if you use Voxformer. Atleast I dont.

Edit: I dont need anymore comps or EQ's etc. FOR VOCALS. You may need outboard stuff for other instruments. Such as guitar amps.

[jens]

Nope. Well a Mic, and a pre-amp, and a soundcard. But you dont NEED any more compressors or EQ's or De-essers, if you use Voxformer. Atleast I dont.

Edit: I dont need anymore comps or EQ's etc. FOR VOCALS. You may need outboard stuff for other instruments. Such as guitar amps.

well, actually you aren't giving good advice

the thing is that you can't compress when it's too late... - digital is not the same as analog

if there is anything aboce 0db going into your AD-converter you have bad digital clipping - that means you have to take care of that everything - and that means every single peak - stays below 0db

But sudden gain-jumps of ~12-15db aren't uncommon for vocalists - that means that if you do not use any compression before the material goes into the DA-converter you have to turn the gain that low that you're losing a lot of headroom without gaining anything. Thus the usage of a moderate analog compression is highly recommended.

[jtxx000]

Ozone usually goes on all my vocals, but if you want free you can also take a look at blockfish, classic compressor, and slightly louderizer.

[AD80]

Hay thats some good advice Jens. I've never used it but it sounds like it would work well.

[james]

Jens, thanks for saying what needed to be said there.

Paul,
In support of Jens...
Compression as software plug after recording is essentially an effect. This is not a criticism, we all use it.

Compression used in the signal chain prior to input into of your soundcard is also an effect but ALSO has the more practical benefit of limiting transient peaks and allowing a better average signal level before clipping.

For the money, it's hard to beat the FMR RNC for 199.00. It's fairly transparent and has excellent attack/response adjustments. Note: some have complained about low end distortion using the RNC. This may or not be a result of using too fast of a release time for signals with a lot of low frequency information.

Don't take my word on this. Google "compression +tips +recording" ....
Good luck.

[soulata]

my 2 sit

1) Rode - nt1 isn't very warm and you'll have to use a deesser for sure (hint - buy something better although nt1 isn't bad)

2) get an outboard compressor, you won't need more than 2 channels (dbx is a fine choice budgetwise)

3) ditto for voxformer or chrunchessor (?)

K

[GaryG]

as has been said before, if this is going to be a 'quality' setup then you really need a 'real' compressor before the soundcard.

I like the sound of the Joe Meek stuff, vintage optical compressors really 'like' vocals.

I don't think it's made anymore but the guy who designed it markets it under his own brand now, TFPro. The budget model (P3?) is the one I'm thinking of getting; quality pre-amp, compressor and eq in a neat red, half rack box. Around 100GBP.

.g

[Lunch Money]

I have to say, of all the outboard gear I've been thinking about, a budget-priced vocal compressor is way up there. I wouldn't use too aggressive of settings on it, but I'd want the signal to get to my soundcard at a decent level. None of the vocalists I have recorded (so far), or plan to record, have any experience with microphones or controlling their own dynamics whatsoever. The biggest headache I always have is processing vocals after recording them.

Hell, I'd probably use it on my bass and guitars, too.

Greg

[chico.co.uk]

It's been said already, but i've got a Rode NT1A and a little mixer, and I wish i'd not got the mixer, and got a little pre-amp/vocal compressor instead. I've not got very good mike technique, and come from years of playing into a four track where if you overload the inputs it can sound quite nice. But digital distortion is nasty.

I quite like the look of the Joe Meek stuff too, another alternative is the TfPro range, i've heard good stuff about them, and the prices seem good.

Dunno why i bought a 10 track mixer, all i ever record is me, so why do i need 10 inputs? Duh.

[longlostcousin]

i just got a tfpro p3 and it's great. it works really well on guitar too. i just wish i could afford two of them so i don't have to keep taking it to my bandmates flat. i'll admit i bought it partly 'cos i love joe meek. it was also decently priced as they've stopped production on this unit and you can get it cheap-ish. the company is very friendly and responsive to questions.

[chico.co.uk]

Uh, i've just totally duplicated GaryG's post haven't I? Time for me to wake up properly ...

[soulata]

ahem

I've a rode nt1a, joemeek vcs1q (pre with eq and comp) but prefer nt1a going either through tla audio ivory 2 preamp or (also cheapish) presonus tube pre, followed by dbx166xl.

don't know why, but nt1a through meek sounds way too thin (might be me or the singers tho)

k