2 or more compressors on Vocals

[Joz]

For those who use 2 compressors on the vocal track. What compressors whould you use to really compress the vocals without making the comp "pump". It seems that a lot of people use this technique with great results. My only compressors are Waves and Bombfactory, so wich ones would you use, and what would your settings be?
Thanks

[Jeff Schmidt]

There are SO many answers to your question.

I personally always use multiple stages of mild compression over 1 full throttle stage - but the material I work with is usually more intimate and acoustic.

And that's the point - it depends on your material. You may stack mutliple stages of full crunch to get the sound you're looking for.

There's no rules - but, you do have to understand the nature of compression 1st,

Then how your various plug-ins implement those features (attack,release,threshold, make up gain etc..)

Then how the plugs color the sound (if at all) and then how they sound on specific instruments and voices, and then how they sound when stacked with other plugs, and then how they sound changes when the order is reversed and settings tweaked etc etc

You see this is a very involved question.

Just start playing and don't worry if what you're doing is a technique you're going to find talked about in MIX. LISTEN. If all the knobs are in the "correct" positions but it still sounds like crap - then it still sounds like crap.

Check out -

Ren Comp and Ren EQ are musts.

Also everyone is giving the Wave Multi-linear Comp/EQs very high marks - I havn't heard them yet.

Bombfactory - I consider these guys the "designer imposters" of plug-ins. But that's not all bad

I can tell you that I've found the Fairchild rip off to be really nice on my stuff when used subtly with other compression - seems to take some harshness out of the TC Master X plug.

The LA-2A - does sound nice on female vocals along with Ren Comp and EQ

The 1176 I like for guits WITH Ren Comp & EQ

Some people swear by these plugs - others are in the middle (me) and other still say they're cheap rip offs of the real thing.

It dosn't matter - it's all how it sounds on YOUR music.

I can't really tell you settings (it not some deep dark secret) it's just they're always dependant on the material I'm producing.

But here's a guideline, start with a factory preset and begin to adjust the threshold and attack/release times to fit the material you're feeding into it. This will at least give you an idea of how the plug SOUNDS on YOUR track.

There's nothing wrong with using a factory pre-set if it sounds right. Don't feel you have to change a pre-set simply becasue you HAVE to change the pre-set.

Again - HOW DOES IT SOUND is the ONLY rule.

Experiment & Have fun! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[digitaltoast]

RCL, RenVOX, Maxim .... order and choice track dependent -usually only 2 of the 3

[Jules]

hardware 1176
hardware DBX 160 VU

patching order depending on the situation

[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[bombfactory]

Use our 1176 with a slow release and 3-6 dB of compression (watch the meter). Use a ratio of 4 or 8.

The 1176 can be VERY transparent if desired. Just set it carefully.

If it's pumping and you don't want it to, slow down the release and reduce the input knob.

--Erik

[etherize]

Jules i thought you were going to say the new Sony Compressor... someone mentioned in another thread that this is the one to beat in protools now... So you think it still doesn't compare to your outboards?

[Jules]

I have only just got the latest beta going on my rig again and havent gotten in too deep with it so far..

But I WAS using it on a recent mix....

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[etherize]

Ok Jules I expect a full review soon from you [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Hey also if you speak with the Sony crew you might suggest having a new One price structure instead of charging us a TDM tax which I do not apreciate

I also remember them mentioning some new plug-ins in the vain of analog channel.. any word on this?

tanks

[Jules]

"I also remember them mentioning some new plug-ins in the vain of analog channel.. any word on this?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss this" - Oliver North

[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[etherize]

" [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] " - Darth Vader