how to limit very soft AND loud singer? Knob ride?

[tapani]

I realize I can put a compressor in the signal chain, but is there a simple quality limiter which would not mess the signal chain too much?

Or maybe you guys try to 'ride' the rotary input knob?

I do it with faders, but have any of you developed a good touch to riding the mbox rotary level input knob?

Is there an Mbox compatible control surface with good faders?

Any other suggestions? The singer in question does sudden volume changes. Otherwise I would record the loud bits separately.

How about recording to two channels (using two mics or a Y cable) at the same time with differing input levels? One loud for the quiet bits and not caring about distortion or spittiness and the other channel quiter and later combining them?

tapani

[Third Eye Studios]

The Y-cable suggestion doesn't sound too bad. It would be weird knowing that you were recording severe overs, but what the heck. Personally though, I would just set the level to not go over on the loudest parts and compress it or automate volume later. The command 8 has good faders to answer your other question.

[lemix]

tapani ,
What a great question dude...
In he "old" fully analog days we had a few different options, one being the multi -mic approach as you've mentioned. Also sometimes engineers were riding input faders on the console, following charts and a predictable, pro vocalist. But, lets not go there...
In your case, and IMO the simplest way to do it is; set the channel gain for the maximum level before clipping and just record.
You can automate the track afterward, or chop it into soft and loud parts to apply appropriate processing.
Of course a pro singer with good mic technique is a plus !!

good luck,

I found this thread pretty useful:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...48/0#msg_15148

[tapani]

I found this thread pretty useful:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...48/0#msg_15148

what a great thread! with guys like george massenburg replying too...!

Thanks rogga boggga!!

Tapani

[will the moor]

that two mic thing sounds like a good idea. I've always tried to coach the singer about mic technique. If he wants a good recording, he needs to be willing to learn about the process. if not, call him a sucka and kick him in the knee. then set up two mics...

will