Would you recommend a compressor please?

75lespaul

75lespaul

New member
I'm using Sonar 5 and unfortunately, the internal effects can't be used during the recording process, or to the tracks, only afterwards. I'm afraid I would overbuy so if I could get some advice on what a good compressor for vocals would be that matches up with the quality of equipment I already have it would be appreciated.

Sonar 5, Groove Tubes Brick preamps, MXL V69 tube mic, Sennheiser MD 421, Shure SM-58 and a few other assorted mics.

Thank You everyone. :smokin:
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

You could look into the Focusrite Platinum series, Presonus, Joe Meek, RNC. The 3 to 5 hundred dollar compressors tend to be pretty equal in sound quality imo, when you break the 7 or 8 range I think you start to get a little better.
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

Thanks for the replies folks. Got my eyes on two items at the moment. First, there is the ART PRO VLA 2-Channel Tube Compressor. That is $299.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-PRO-VLA-2Channel-Tube-Compressor?sku=180582

Next is the Focusrite Platinum VoiceMaster Pro Processor. This is a multi effects unitand costs $649. In order to buy this I would have to sell one or both of my Groove Tube Brick preamps. Is it worth it?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Focusrite-Platinum-VoiceMaster-Pro-Processor?sku=188212

I've never had a product from either company, so I'm not sure of either brand. I'm not looking for a preamp at all but the Focusrite has some glowing reviews and my lousy vocals need all the help they can get, lol.
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

I don't like ART myself. Focusrite makes a Trakmaster single channel I think for about 300. I really like the attitude of the Joe Meek stuff where the Focusrite is more transparent. I think the ART is a little squishy sounding in their budget stuff.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOCTRAKPRO

I would keep the Bricks and get a stand alone compressor like the RNC or a Joe Meek. The bricks are going to sound better than a cheap mic pre.

As a vocally challenged individual trust me gear won't help...hard work and practice does though. :)

Do you comp your vocals together from several takes? Do you pitch correct? If you want really good vocal tracks they take a lot of work.
 
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Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

innerdreamrecords.co said:
I don't like ART myself. Focusrite makes a Trakmaster single channel I think for about 300. I really like the attitude of the Joe Meek stuff where the Focusrite is more transparent. I think the ART is a little squishy sounding in their budget stuff.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOCTRAKPRO

I would keep the Bricks and get a stand alone compressor like the RNC or a Joe Meek. The bricks are going to sound better than a cheap mic pre.

As a vocally challenged individual trust me gear won't help...hard work and practice does though. :)

Do you comp your vocals together from several takes? Do you pitch correct? If you want really good vocal tracks they take a lot of work.
Click to expand...


That's just what I needed to know. Thanks. As far as my voice, it's actually the tone that is horrible and you sure can't change that, lol. I can do Journey, Barry Manilow (ew) soft type stuff well, but the type of music I write? My voice sounds pretty bad for. BUT, I'm the only one doing them so I'm alls I gots.
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

I've used the V69 for an album and with good processing after recording it can sound pretty good. It might be a little too tubby through your Brick though because they're both tube right? I can suggest that you isolate the frequency of your voice that sounds offensive and apply a filter cut. Also when I mix vocals a lot of the time I will have two reverbs (one plate and one hall as an example), two delays a subtle chorus on them all dialed in gently so it's felt not heard so much. It really takes a lot to get good vocal sounds unless you're a gifted singer that just sounds great no matter what...I hate them. :laugh2:
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

Is this the RNC you guys are talking about? Whether it is or not, the reviews on this item are great. Of course, it is HC, but still, lol. From the decscriptions and reviews it seems that quality wise, it would match up well with my equipment listed above.

http://www.humbuckermusic.com/1001.html
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

That's it. You just need a little compression for tracking, you probably know that. The thing about compression when you record is that it can be next to impossible or impossible to undo it.
 
Re: Would you recommend a compressor please?

innerdreamrecords.co said:
That's it. You just need a little compression for tracking, you probably know that. The thing about compression when you record is that it can be next to impossible or impossible to undo it.
Click to expand...

Oh that's fine. My vocals suck so bad, doing them over wouldn't matter, lol. Thanks for the advice. Looks like a good unit. Gonna get it.
 
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