Compressing Vocals before it's recorded?

[SonicBreeze]

I am new to software music recording and CubaseSX. I want to use a VST comp/limiter,say for example 'PSP Vintagewarmer' to an Audio Track to record Vocals. And I want that my vocal gets compressed properly before it gets recorded.
What I am doing is inserting VST Comp/limit as one of the effects slot in the Audio Track and Recording Vocal. But my question is "does that effect my input vocal?. say if I remove later that effect from slot it may sound as dry or uncompressed. As I experienced for "Reverb" or any other effect.
What is the proper way to record vocal that gets compressed before it is recorded without using HW Compressor?
Any help?

[Funkybot]

You can't do it, sorry. You can use input monitoring and hear how it will sound with the compression as you record (albiet at a slight latency), but you can't record with a plug-in compressor. You'll need hardware for this.

Now if you're willing to spend plug-in money on a hardware compressor that get's nothing but rave reviews even by compression snobs and audiophiles look at picking yourself up a FMR Audio: RNC (Really Nice Compressor). It's less than $200 US, and people say it's comprable to hardware compressors costing ten times its price.

[SonicBreeze]

Thanks for the Answer. I thought SW plugins are capable of replacing HW plugs completely. But it was my misconception.

[Wormhelmet]

I don't know if Cubase is capable of this, but I can do this easily in Ableton Live - Set the output of the track you are recording to another track, then that track to the master. This way you get to hear what it sounds like in real time. record enable on both tracks at the same time. you get the dry track, but another separate track with the effects recorded in. Good for quick A/B comparisons too.

[Tronam]

It simply comes down to the problem that in order for the software compressor to process the signal, it first has to go through your soundcard's Analog-to-Digital converter and streamed into your audio application. If you clip on the way in before the signal even reaches the plug-in, then the damage has already been done and it is too late. So, there is still a practical requirement for an external compressor to catch peaks and prevent clipping before the audio reaches your computer. It isn't so much a matter of quality, but one of physics.

-Tronam

[SonicBreeze]

I don't know if Cubase is capable of this, but I can do this easily in Ableton Live - Set the output of the track you are recording to another track, then that track to the master. This way you get to hear what it sounds like in real time. record enable on both tracks at the same time. you get the dry track, but another separate track with the effects recorded in. Good for quick A/B comparisons too.

This is an indirect process of what is needed to be done and hopefully can be done to Cubase or any other host. But I assume that there is no straight forward way to apply software plugin effect to incoming audio signal. Or atleast I did find one so far.

[soulata]

Even if there was a way to add compression at recording, it'd be worthless.

Signal (as said before) has already passed the conversion stage, so benefits of compression right after passing the ad converter are minimal (monitoring only).

I'd suggest you buy a preamp with compressor (+ maybe limiter) for recording single instruments. I have a JoeMeek studio channel (the old one) - it's middle-priced unit but it does what I want it to do.

k

[olepro]

You CAN record your vocal track with software compressor in Cubase SX so the fx is printet to the track.
BUT, it wont avoid clipping the soundcard input.
This can only be done using a hardware compressor/limiter before the A/D stage.

[P.T.]

I don't know if Cubase is capable of this, but I can do this easily in Ableton Live - Set the output of the track you are recording to another track, then that track to the master. This way you get to hear what it sounds like in real time. record enable on both tracks at the same time. you get the dry track, but another separate track with the effects recorded in. Good for quick A/B comparisons too.

I don't know that this method is serving the intended purpose.

The reason to record through compression is th make certain that you do not get overloads (over 0 db) in the recording. This way you can make a hotter recording (at a higher level).

With the stated method th signal can still overload the 1st track and then this overloaded track is what is going through the compressor. Which is at least how it seems to me.

If so, this is really no different from adding the compressor after the track has been recorded.

[No name]

You can't do it, sorry. You can use input monitoring and hear how it will sound with the compression as you record (albiet at a slight latency), but you can't record with a plug-in compressor. You'll need hardware for this.

Now if you're willing to spend plug-in money on a hardware compressor that get's nothing but rave reviews even by compression snobs and audiophiles look at picking yourself up a FMR Audio: RNC (Really Nice Compressor). It's less than $200 US, and people say it's comprable to hardware compressors costing ten times its price.

Wow, you know, i've never heard of that compressor. Just looked it all up and came across the first site I found with reviews. 5 out of 5. People really do seem to rave about this thing. I want it now. I need it.

[Wormhelmet]

I am new to software music recording and CubaseSX. I want to use a VST comp/limiter,say for example 'PSP Vintagewarmer' to an Audio Track to record Vocals. And I want that my vocal gets compressed properly before it gets recorded.
What I am doing is inserting VST Comp/limit as one of the effects slot in the Audio Track and Recording Vocal. But my question is "does that effect my input vocal?. say if I remove later that effect from slot it may sound as dry or uncompressed. As I experienced for "Reverb" or any other effect.
What is the proper way to record vocal that gets compressed before it is recorded without using HW Compressor?
Any help?

He asked what was a way to do this using a plugin before it was recorded without using a hardware compressor. Just thought I'd give a suggestion.

[Funkybot]

Now if you're willing to spend plug-in money on a hardware compressor that get's nothing but rave reviews even by compression snobs and audiophiles look at picking yourself up a FMR Audio: RNC (Really Nice Compressor). It's less than $200 US, and people say it's comprable to hardware compressors costing ten times its price.

Wow, you know, i've never heard of that compressor. Just looked it all up and came across the first site I found with reviews. 5 out of 5. People really do seem to rave about this thing. I want it now. I need it.

After that you'll be wanting their preamp (which also has gotten amazing reviews) and then their leveling amplifier. All priced right!

[Andreas]

Now if you're willing to spend plug-in money on a hardware compressor that get's nothing but rave reviews even by compression snobs and audiophiles look at picking yourself up a FMR Audio: RNC (Really Nice Compressor). It's less than $200 US, and people say it's comprable to hardware compressors costing ten times its price.

I can totally recommend this compressor, it doesen´t look much to the world, but it´s very, very good. It has a mode called "Super Nice Mode", ridicolous name, but sounds beautiful, very gentle "invisible" compressing for vocals and stuff, an extra security thing for me just to know that i wont spoil a great take with distorsion.

Andreas.

[Left Headphone]

recording at 24 or 32 bit you don't need to comp while recording. this give you plenty of headroom. save the comp for later- after you have the vocals in the box. this gives you more control...

[No name]

Yea it's an ugly little thing. Looks like an 8 track player. So the pre amp is just as good huh?