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  #11  
Old 02-19-2020, 09:03 PM
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albee1952 albee1952 is offline
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

BF76 into SMACK! is my usual(SMACK! is Avid's version of the LA-2A). In truth, I could likely be content with almost any pair of comps, as long as its not the stock Digirack offerings(yes, I realize BF76 is stock, but it just works)
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  #12  
Old 02-20-2020, 03:45 AM
elicious elicious is offline
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

Sticking with the hardware angle for just a moment,
i unashamedly copy Allen Sides, who when recording Streisand and many others,
uses (when needed!) an original DBX 160,
where he would manually ride the gain using the output knob;
which he reconfirmed recently at Namm saying that,
or an LA2A (no more than 2-3 db), is still his preferred method.

So besides compression, consider using old-school analog style gain riding;
that's a great way to achieve level density without changing the character, or coloration of your vocalist.

And since you mentioned zeroing in on plug-ins,
we've been through just about every one out there,
and find the most effective is by TBProAudio,called the GainRider2.
(although there is an issue with it releasing the buffer).
b.o.l,
e
for the record studios
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  #13  
Old 02-20-2020, 10:07 AM
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

There's two things here. Compressors you like to use when recording the vocals. And then compressors you prefer for the mix. I was thinking specifically of the mix when I posted the OP.
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  #14  
Old 02-20-2020, 01:50 PM
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

For the mix, I like Arousor for all but the most transparent vocal compression.
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  #15  
Old 02-21-2020, 12:05 AM
Andre Knecht Andre Knecht is offline
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Default Preferred Compressor for Vocals

Per the OP’s request, I’ll limit comments to plug-ins.

I’m really fond of softube’s Tube-Tec CL1B (the older, AAX-DSP version), especially when tracking. Vocalists like hearing themselves in the cans with that rich and “finished” sound, and the system loves the zero CPU load, with its accompanying lower buffer advantage —which in turn benefits the performers again.

For vocal mixing tasks, there are many excellent choices, many of which have already been mentioned. I like just about every single one that has been named above, especially the “character” ones. But for transparent results, I’ve come to really appreciate TDR’s Kotelnikov. The latter is available in a free version, as well as a more feature-rich “GE” (Gentlemans’s Edition) paid variant. The latter adds some useful bells and whistles, but sonically-speaking they’re both astonishing.

IHTH.
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  #16  
Old 02-21-2020, 09:05 AM
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Knecht View Post
...But for transparent results, I’ve come to really appreciate TDR’s Kotelnikov. The latter is available in a free version, as well as a more feature-rich “GE” (Gentlemans’s Edition) paid variant. The latter adds some useful bells and whistles, but sonically-speaking they’re both astonishing.

IHTH.

Andre - Interesting you should mention the TDR Kotelnikov. I recently tried that on a vocal and I did like how it sounded. I only have the free version at the moment. Its not like I need to buy yet another compressor plugin...I already have about 30!
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  #17  
Old 02-21-2020, 09:12 AM
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Knecht View Post
...But for transparent results, I’ve come to really appreciate TDR’s Kotelnikov. The latter is available in a free version, as well as a more feature-rich “GE” (Gentlemans’s Edition) paid variant. The latter adds some useful bells and whistles, but sonically-speaking they’re both astonishing.

IHTH.

Andre - Interesting you should mention the TDR Kotelnikov. I recently tried that on a vocal and I did like how it sounded. I only have the free version at the moment. Its not like I need to buy yet another compressor plugin...I already have about 30!
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  #18  
Old 04-16-2020, 02:57 PM
ronstephens ronstephens is offline
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Default Re: Preferred Compressor for Vocals

I've been using Puigchild 660 (Fairchild emulation) on nearly everything.
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