Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

I want to use a compressor on the stereo mix I bounce to disk. Can I insert a compressor in the signal path which is used to bounce to disk or do I have to record to another track first before bouncing to disk? What compressor plugin would you recommend? Can the compressor be iinserted in the Master Fader track?

Thanks for any inputs.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Yes, inserting plugins on Master Fader (post-fader processing) is a standard procedure

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Will the compressor work properly when bouncing to disk? Do you have a compressor plugin recommendation? I am using Pro Tools 2019.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Yes, bouncing will print whatever you are hearing on playback.

Asking for recommendation is like telling medium rare beef tenderloin steak is the best and the other person is veggie. Lots of good compressors out there and the stock compressor isn't bad either.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

What Janne said ^^ but since you are asking, this is what I use, not too often though:
https://youtu.be/dgkel2sQJK8

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

I see you used the Waves version; do you think the Lindell 254 from Plugin Alliance would do the same magic? I have the Lindell comp.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

I haven't compared them but since Lindell plugins are made by LSR Audio which has done quite a few popular analog style plugins and they are also good enough to meet the PIA quality standards I would say if they did the modeling from a real unit and not just guessing from the schematics I don't see why it wouldn't have the magic. If I had to choose without making a comparison I would pick up Waves because I think their models are the most accurate in the market but I also think PIA are as good and reputable so if I had their version I'd just use that for sure

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Thanks for the info - didn't know how much the programmers did.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Just ignore this comment if it doesn't suit the conversation, but nowadays I'm kind of thinking what's the point in having a plugin compressor on master fader?

You want a hardware treatment if you are releasing that stuff for money. If you don't have that spice on your rack your ME should have.

With that said, if you just want a quick and dirty get it done kind of compression... throwing in Waves API2500 is pretty close to the real deal.

Re: Using a compressor plugin while bouncing to disk
 

Hi in my case for glue compression i use a few. Yo might want to start playing wih them as they are gonna gave you different "colors". And in some cases the best glue compressor is no compressor.

Well here is my list.

UAD SSL Buss
Logic State Duende SSL Buss
UAD Neeve 33609
Bomb Factory Fairchild 670 (Yes really, and sounds really good)
Waves API2500

This list order doesn't mean anything just wrote them as they came to mind.

Hope this help you a little in your quest too :-).