To limit or compress dialogue?

[gargoyle]

Is it customary to limit or compress dialogue in a film or video?

I had the vague impression that it raised the level of hiss that I worked so hard to get rid of, is this possible? It was either very, very slight or just my imagination. I still find comp and limit relatively mystifying.

Sean

[t502kg]

for film making, absolutely yes,

(1) dynamic control of the sync sound.
(2) much clear dialogue (compression)
(3) important for peak level control for mastering and optical procedures on film.

[gargoyle]

Should the comp and limit be in the mastering phase or should I do it now during the tweeking stage? Audiosuite protools comp plug-in is what I was trying (vocal leveler) I was also trying stereo comp 2. Any thoughts on those pre-sets?

Thanks
Sean