Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 6:31:00 GMT -7
Hey Guys,, This article popped up today in my e-mail. It's a pretty good one and it has good demo recordings. Compression is one of the most important pieces of recording and mixing. Until you get a real grasp of what it can do you can struggle. Best way to experiment is with something you've already recorded. Also, I'd suggest experimenting with their suggested settings on things like the snare drum or vocals. Check it out and feel free to ask questions. www.premierguitar.com/articles/21690-the-recording-guitarist-dances-with-compressors?page=1
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 11:09:21 GMT -7
Funny you should mention this- I saw this article the other day, and meant to PM you about the accuracy/validity. Need to try some of that info out!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 11:43:23 GMT -7
It's a good place to start. It's almost impossible to really explain compression without getting in there and trying it yourself. It's great that they use the 1176 as the demo compressor since it its probably the most ubiquitous design out there with Input/Output, ratio and attack/release controls.
Feel free to fire away w any questions. If you are experimenting yourself make sure you get enough gain in there to start seeing the needle move.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 18:17:00 GMT -7
That's an interesting comment re: gain. Since our last discussion/critique of one of my recordings, I've been messing with compression. A lot. I'm still not certain of what I'm doing, but I have a little better idea, I think. One thing I've noticed is that it helps to record tracks that I'm planning on using compression on at a lower level - maybe getting peaks at -9 to -12 db on the meter. It seems that once I add compression, the track gets louder, and if the track is recorded too hot, I get digital overs (clipping), or, at a certain point, I can't lower the volume on the track enough to make it fit into the mix.
Does this sound right?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 20:35:05 GMT -7
When I refer to gain in this particular thread I'm referring to the input gain of the compressor. That determines the point when the compressor "kicks in". That's the important thing about trying to test out the settings and ideas in the examples on this video and also the key to applying compression to your individual tracks.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 15:02:58 GMT -7
That's an interesting comment re: gain. Since our last discussion/critique of one of my recordings, I've been messing with compression. A lot. I'm still not certain of what I'm doing, but I have a little better idea, I think. One thing I've noticed is that it helps to record tracks that I'm planning on using compression on at a lower level - maybe getting peaks at -9 to -12 db on the meter. It seems that once I add compression, the track gets louder, and if the track is recorded too hot, I get digital overs (clipping), or, at a certain point, I can't lower the volume on the track enough to make it fit into the mix. Does this sound right? You should be able to control the output with the compressor. Most of them have an output knob. Also, if you are having overs or you recorded too hot most DAW's have a "trim" plugin that will let you turn down the waveform. Other ways to do that are to put on an eq plug that has an output control on it.
|
|
|
Post by GuitarZ on Nov 28, 2014 15:20:32 GMT -7
Man! That is subtle between the first and last clip, but very effective. They do do a nice job of walking you through the process. I still don't know that I trust my ears enough. The more that I listen to this type of stuff, the more that I feel like I'm fumbling through my own recording. But, I guess that's why professionals are professionals and we amateurs can only practice to get better. I suppose the pro's keep practicing too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 15:27:46 GMT -7
Try putting a compressor on a snare drum. fast attack, slow release. You should be able to hear what it's doing there. It's like skiing, even for the pros. If you aren't falling down every once in a while you are trying anything new.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 15:28:56 GMT -7
One other thing. The more distorted the guitar, the more it's already compressing at the amp or the pedal. You can see that by the waveform.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 18:33:08 GMT -7
That's an interesting comment re: gain. Since our last discussion/critique of one of my recordings, I've been messing with compression. A lot. I'm still not certain of what I'm doing, but I have a little better idea, I think. One thing I've noticed is that it helps to record tracks that I'm planning on using compression on at a lower level - maybe getting peaks at -9 to -12 db on the meter. It seems that once I add compression, the track gets louder, and if the track is recorded too hot, I get digital overs (clipping), or, at a certain point, I can't lower the volume on the track enough to make it fit into the mix. Does this sound right? You should be able to control the output with the compressor. Most of them have an output knob. Also, if you are having overs or you recorded too hot most DAW's have a "trim" plugin that will let you turn down the waveform. Other ways to do that are to put on an eq plug that has an output control on it. Thanks for the info- had this happen with a bass track today. Will try one of these fixes tomorrow. Seems to happen more on bass than anything else.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 5:39:21 GMT -7
You may be recording too hot. Hot levels don't really help anything in digital recording. Bass is capable of really hot transients.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 12:33:19 GMT -7
What's too hot? My goal is to have peaks somewhere around -9 to-12 db.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 13:04:24 GMT -7
Well, if you are getting "overs" before you EQ or compress it's too hot.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2014 12:53:51 GMT -7
I think I'm not explaining this very well.
When I record bass, for example, I set the incoming level with peaks around -9 to -12db. No problems there. However, once I turn on the compression plugin after recording, the apparent volume of the track spikes into the red. It's almost like the plug is a giant boost pedal. I have to turn down the volume for the selected track really far to get it to fit back in. It seems I'm missing some sort of level control for the plug in itself. Does this make sense?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2014 13:12:25 GMT -7
Take a screen shot of the plugin(s) that you are using on the bass.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 11:16:43 GMT -7
Here's the shot - you can see how far down the fader on the bass track is in comparison to the other sources. For the record, I think it sounds pretty good, I'm just wondering why the compressor plug adds so much volume to the source info.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 11:59:09 GMT -7
What is that gain on the compressor? Is it input gain or output gain?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 12:51:13 GMT -7
I'm not going to lie - I have no clue. Which is the root of most of my problems in this area. I'd love to be able to hire someone for a few hours to go over "mixing". Sort of everything that happens after sources have been captured.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 12:55:56 GMT -7
Check and see what that control does. Also check to see what happens if you take "auto gain" off.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 14:55:26 GMT -7
I had a little epiphany with the compressor today. Look in the "Audio" section soon...
|
|