What are some of the best Compressors, EQs for vocals?

[Mattitude]

Hey guys,

i use Pro Tools LE 8. For compression on vocals I have been using the one that comes with Pro Tools LE 8, called Compressor/Limiter dyn3 i think. I also I have the bomb factory stuff but I haven't really used it! I use the same with EQ too, the one that comes with Pro Tools LE 8, EQ3 - 4 band.

I'm just wondering what you guys think are the best vocal compressors and EQ out there for use with Pro Tools? Are there much better ones out there that can make your vocals sound a lot more professional? What do you guys use? What would you like to use?

Let me know!
Thanks guys,
Matt.

[Dorian Green]

Heya...
First of all and no offences, to achieve pro vocal, your signal chain must be very good which means : Very good large condenser mic, good wire, Very good preamp and Analog to digital converter.
That done you'll have a very clean and rich base to work on.

Now about the Eqs and Comp, the digi products are not too bad for minor corrections but if you need a colouration of your sound you'll have to get some Waves, MsDSP.

I personaly use the SSL collection by Waves, the settings are very sensitives but the only big problem is that Waves Plugins are quite expensive.McDSP plugins like filterbank are very good deal.

Don't forget to give a try to the A.I.R plugins included in all PTLE 8+.They sound really good and are not greedy.

I'm sure the other guys have other brands in their mind...

[elicious]

hey matt,
you have a great voc comp already;
the oft overlooked and unfairly maligned bf76...
we own the real deal and the plug reacts and sounds close to the originals.

like dorian says, the waves are very good
(the cla 76 is outstanding)
but pricey.

so start with what you have.
b.o.l.
e

[EGS]

I start with a hi-pass at about 100HZ; the Digi 1-band is great for this. Light dose of BF76 at 4:1. Buss all vocal tracks to a stereo vocal aux bus. On the aux use a BF3A set to compress, followed by a Pultec EQ to add just a touch of air at 5K.

[RiF]

As other already said, you cannot fix a bad recording with whatever plugin.
Answer 1: Learn to get the most out of the tools you have. Digis EQIII is a good and flexible EQ. The Bomb Factory compressors are pretty OK and should get you a long way. I really like the Purple Audio MC77 because it has more bite and mojo than the BF76. I heard great mixes done with the stock PT plugins alone.
Answer 2: I tried a lot and stuck with Waves SSL E-Channel, Waves CLA compressors and URS Saturation for vocals. All of them have been very cheap around christmas ;-)

[albee1952]

We should get about 100 opinions here, so here's one more. My usual vocal chain(once I get a good take) is EQ1(high-pass)-BF76(4:1 with light GR)-
EQ7( couple of bands for taming peaks as needed)-SMACK!(Warm and more squash)-Pultec EQ1A to add "air" that double compression loses. Lately been trying Softube's CL1B(TubeTech) plugin and like it a lot(similar to SMACK!). One thing I do before ANY compression is; I work thru the track and use the AudioSuite GAIN plugin to even out any parts that are too hot or too soft(that makes for more consistent compression feel).

BTW, my vocal recording chain is MXL V89(male) or V69(female) to a Focusrite ISA428(FMR RNP inserted).

[Keybeeetsss]

Originally Posted by albee1952

We should get about 100 opinions here, so here's one more.

Yeahppp... Time to check in with Orville

[BlakeBeard]

Originally Posted by RiF

As other already said, you cannot fix a bad recording with whatever plugin.

I respectfully disagree... I duplicate the track and mix it to a dry track channel. In both channels I load up 'Time Adjuster Long'. I then hit the polarity button on only ONE of the channels. This is the big secret in the audio industry that should fix the problem of a bad vocalist...

[ondruspat]

Originally Posted by BlakeBeard

I respectfully disagree... I duplicate the track and mix it to a dry track channel. In both channels I load up 'Time Adjuster Long'. I then hit the polarity button on only ONE of the channels. This is the big secret in the audio industry that should fix the problem of a bad vocalist...

LOL!!! Phase cancellation to fix a bad vocalist?!?! Silence is golden!!!

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by BlakeBeard

I respectfully disagree... I duplicate the track and mix it to a dry track channel. In both channels I load up 'Time Adjuster Long'. I then hit the polarity button on only ONE of the channels. This is the big secret in the audio industry that should fix the problem of a bad vocalist...

I had to read it twice. I use that little button with the "M" on it myself(its a little faster). STill waiting for Waces to come out with the Talent Boost plugin.......