T' & Vocal compression

[chico.co.uk]

Actually yeah, if you're up for doing it, that'd be great. No particular rush, getting married in two weeks, and amazingly, everything costs money at the moment. So there's no chance of me buying any music toys for a wee while yet

Unless Tracktion 2 comes out tomorrow ... might accidentally charge that to a credit card

[james]

Isn't there a way to use a software compressor in the host to compress the signal on the way in?

Even if you could insert a plug on the audio input prior to the track, you would not be reducing the signal entering your hardware at input.

I agree with chico that 24bit gives much more headroom to record below threshold and not risk overcompressing a signal (which can't be undone). Even so, this doesn't offer any protection from transient peaks or overexcited singers who change position in relation to the mic.

An outboard compressor on input is still the best option but requires some time and patience to use well. Having used dozens of compressors (including 1176's, 1178's, LA2A's, Avalon's etc) while recording and noodling around at warner bros in Nashville, the FMR RNC (199 street) is hands down the most versatile optical compressor under a thousand bucks for most tasks.

By the way, I don't really have anything against the NT1A either (particularly for the money) but absolutely love my fet NT1000. It is remarkably similar to a Neumann fet U87 but with much better self noise and a very slightly improved high end. It retailed for 600 but sells regularly mail order for 300. Customer service has been great too. I had a singer knock the mic off the stand in one session. Rode's California service dept replaced the capsule and rebuilt the mic for free.

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

I'll me-too it here and say that for vocals, get a nice outboard channel! I have a cheap-arse Behringer VX2000 and it took care of almost all the issues I was having getting good vocals into the soundcard. I'll add other goodies (additional compression, echo, filtering, etc.) afterwards. Voxformer is decent, but I could never get it to properly de-ess my rather sharp singing.. something the VX2000 does pretty easily. Between that and my cheap SM58 things seem to work out decently.

An even level coming into the soundcard is a joy and a delight.

[chico.co.uk]

I was looking at that VX2000 in a shop a month or so ago. Any use then? Admit i was tempted, just because they stock it, and I can see it, rather than ordering something i've never seen or heard over the web

[unknown user]

FMR RNC (199 street) is hands down the most versatile optical compressor under a thousand bucks for most tasks.

Wow that's a lot of dough for basic compression, and I bet it's super nice if somebody else buys it. ART Tube PAC is a nice tube pre and compressor box. Separate tube sections, and the comp is optical. $200. I'm not a pro but it works for me.

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

I was looking at that VX2000 in a shop a month or so ago. Any use then? Admit i was tempted, just because they stock it, and I can see it, rather than ordering something i've never seen or heard over the web

It's acceptable quality - don't expect an Avalon or Focusrite sound - but it's better than the ancient Bellari tube pre I was using, and you can't beat the price. I'd not take it out gigging, though!

For getting a good, steady, decently EQed and de-essed sound in for further processing, it can't be beat. If you're a good singer you might want to save for something nicer!

The vocals on the last tune I posted in the Music Cafe were processed with the VX2000 and More Feedback Machine and nothing else, if you dig back about 2 weeks or so you can give it a listen and get a basic feel. My voice is VERY sibilant and I mainly do spoken-word, your mileage may vary..

[P.T.]

Back to the mic question.
Does anyone have any impressions on the AKG c2000. It goes for $199 and comes with a shockmount and case for that price.
How is the sound compared to the Rode NT1a?

[james]

That's a fair comparison. Given the Rode NT1A and AKG C2000 have the same street price.

I have to give this one to the AKG. Although the NT1A may have a better build quality, the C2000 is going to have a less hyped sound - less midrange scoop or high end boost.

[Lunch Money]

ART Tube PAC is a nice tube pre and compressor box. Separate tube sections, and the comp is optical. $200. I'm not a pro but it works for me.

I was in the local shop today, and while they didn't have the Tube Pac, they had the separate Tube MP and Tube Compressors (the Pac is just the same components in one chassis). Guy seemed to think it was bang for the buck, but even after he knew my budget (and therefore wasn't trying to up-sell me), he was pretty much recommending that most of the lower-priced compression can and will colour the vocals significantly.

Now, if it's a colour you like, you're sorted! But if not... hmm... anyhow, his main recommendation was that I just record with conservative levels, and if my signal path is otherwise clear, I can just boost it in the sequencer.

I'm still one who would feel more comfy with a bit of compression, so what I'm looking at is:

Apex 460, which is variable pattern and has its own power supply/pre (well, pre but not in the EQ etc. sense of the word) and is a tube mic. This, combined with the ART Tube compressor looks like it'll meet my needs on a budget. All in, $350 CDN.

Greg

[IIRs]

I bought an SE Electronics Z5600A a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.seelectronics.com/web/tube_z5600a.htm

not tried it on vocals yet (been recording a cello, with good results) but it made my voice sound incredible in the headphones.. and I was just going "1..2..test"

they have a whole range of cheaper non-valve models too, which have all got glowing SOS reviews..