Fixed comp/limiter settings for unpredictable vocals

[holmer]

I'm setting up a recording template for someone with no experience.
The mic signal is all over the place and I need a dynamics chain that handles pretty much everything.
With free VSTs.
Ideas?

[Medenka]

OTT

[Medenka]

On a more serious note, a mu compressor, followed by a LA-2A type.

Check out e.g. Variety of Sound for the second, I don't know about a free mu compressor though, you'll have to look around.

[Ah_Dziz]

Melda free MCompressor (use "vocal" preset and simply adjust the input and output gain) into Xfer OTT with the depth set extremely low (5-15%). Would be my recommendation for someone with little experience. Make sure they know how to set their mic amp to stop clipping on the way into the ADC as well. Honestly that's all they need and then they could send it to you for further "mixing". I'd recommend spending a small amount of dollars on waves' rvox though. It's great for getting a quick level sound while recording.

[bmanic]

There is no shortcut. You need to do volume automation by hand. You can't just automate everything and expect it to be great.

You can of course crush it to death with something like OTT or a complex convoluted chain of multiple compressors but that's not going to be the best way to do it in terms of audio quality. I know, I know.. shocking. You need to actually do some manual labor.

[BertKoor]

Just allow the singer to get experienced?

[holmer]

There is no shortcut.

The story of civilisation is the story of finding shortcuts where there are none.

[_leras]

There is no shortcut. You need to do volume automation by hand. You can't just automate everything and expect it to be great.

You can of course crush it to death with something like OTT or a complex convoluted chain of multiple compressors but that's not going to be the best way to do it in terms of audio quality. I know, I know.. shocking. You need to actually do some manual labor.

This is absolutely the best first way, especially if the vocal is inconsistent. Even if it's just a general balancing of volume through a part to reduce overly loud or quiet parts.

Better still if you have patience to get detailed, you can really make a vocal magic.

And then an LA2A is a good place to start. (Unless you need some corrective EQ which you can do first and perhaps again after compressing)

[holmer]

Well, thanks everybody, my question is about a set-and-forget shortcut though.
It's not on my machine, I just set it up.

[bmanic]

In that case, you probably need a chain of at least one slow compressor that smooths out the general dynamics and one faster compressor to keep sudden peaks tamed and then finally some kind of limiter to shave off the really short sudden plosives.

Or alternatively try to do it the other way around, find an upwards compressor to bring up the low level stuff and then hit the peaks with a limiter. Not sure where you can find all these things for free though. If the computer is a Windows PC then I highly recommend checking out all the Variety of Sound plugins. I'm sure you can find a bunch there to take care of most of the processing.

[BertKoor]

Explain the singer how it works.

Keep distance, except when whispering. Or when screaming turn your head away.

Watch those lights: only green is too soft, amber is OK, the red should just flash. Or turn down this knob. If it hasn't been red all the time, it can be fixed in the mix.

It really isn't rocket science. Do not underestimate people that say they are not tech savvy. They just have to get aquainted and be confident it won't blow up because they twisted a knob, pushed a button or pulled a cable.

[No_Use]

If some money can be involved I'd suggest Vocal rider.

[holmer]

OTT

Wow, that thing sure does something.
I have no idea how to set it though..

[holmer]

upwards compressor

I'm playing with OTT right now, someone know if/how I can set it to do what MV2 does?

[bmanic]

You can't. You can "try" and get a little tiny bit closer by setting the 'Timings' control to be really long, like 700% or so.

Unfortunately, I don't think OTT is all that suitable for vocals due to where the crossovers are. It'll make many voices quite forward and harsh sounding, whereas for instance the whole point of MV2 is to be transparent.

You'd have more luck probably with Melda's MCompressor. If I remember correctly, even the free version lets you edit the transfer function, which means you can make it do upwards compression.