The Dub Discussion Board: Compression

Compression Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

The Dub Discussion Board » DUB PRODUCTION » OTHER » Compression

« Previous Next »

Author

Message

Vincent

Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:48 pm:

Does anyone have any techniques on compressing tracks in Pro tools?

Mike Zee

Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 01:33 pm:

Vincent,
I don't recall many guys around here using/working with protols. I may be wrong thou...
I no luck here I'd advise you to try to find some b-board where guys discuss protools in general.
I don't use protools myself, however in general, I can tell you that the whole idea would be to use compression as a real-time plugin...and so you bassicly use it just as you'd work with hardware compressor...playing back track/s (even in loop section mood) and adjusting compressor's parameters to meet your needs. It sounds pretty simple...and well, hopefully your computer system is powerful enough to handle it.
You can take a look at some videos at protools site. One of them actually is about plugins and it shows you example where the guy is adding vocal takes into instrumental track and then using compressor plugin in real time applying it on vocal takes. Take a look. Here's the url to the page: digidesign protools instructional help
there you'll see link "real-time plug-ins", which is a link to video (windowsmediaplayer or quicktime).

/respects,
/Mike Zee aka DrZEE

Vincent

Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

Thanks for the link. I don't excessively use protools and I mix all my effects in real time using out-board stomp boxes one of them being a Space echo and old mxr delay, running it through a mixer and spiting it back into the computer. I was kind of wondering if guys like Tubby and Perry even compressed because there levels are all over the place. I don't even think they had compression back in the 50's and 60's

Vince

Vincent

Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

Mike Zee

Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 08:00 pm:

Vince,
well, recording to analog tape - may be a nice "compression" ...sometimes even produced does not think about it.
*****
Now, in protolls. Two general points. You may think of using/applying compression in two stages. First applying on individual tracks(instruments, vocals etc.) recorded in protools. This may be usefull to better fit some instruments/tracks into the mix. Again the best part is that you actually can change parameters of compressor plugin in real time and hear the result before applying it. So another words you can try and see/hear if it makes your mix better.
Simple example: if you record vocals or any real instrument (guitar, bass, any acoustic instrument etc) and the recording has too much dynamics, then you have this great tool to 'fix the problem'.
The second stage - you can apply some compression on final mix (after you spit IT back from your outboard). This may be viewed as part of 'mastering' of you final mixes. From my experience, you almost always need some mastering compression/limiting touch on dub-mixes, especially when you dub on-the-fly with real analog mixer and outboard effect processors. Actually I always have compressor/limiter insert into main output of the mixing board when dubbin' on the fly, if not I'd always 'kill' the mix by sending too much (pushing slider too hi

) here and there, so the limiter saves the mix in such situation. And, also, let's say, if you have all analog studio (100%) and record to analog tape, then overload is not a such bad thing, but if you have a mix-setup, where you use digital processors and record to digital recorder (dat, cd-r, computer HD etc), then overload is a killer. Digital clip is an ugly thing ...grrrrrrrrr
******
Vince, what exactly your set-up is?

/respects,

/Mike Zee aka Dr.ZEE

Vince

Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2003 - 11:49 am:

My set-up is pretty basic; I'm kind of new to dubbing. I build songs one track at a time in the computer using protools just because it allows me16 tracks to play with. I have to use a 4-track cassette recorder for live band stuff because I can only input 2 tracks in the computer at ones, no sound card. I have an old Akai real-to-real 2-track but it doesn’t sound any better than the cassette player. I also have old sony sterecorder 4-track in good condition but it is missing the power cord so it's just collecting dust. Like I mentioned, I generally get a rough mix going in the computer and then spit individual tracks out, such as guitar, vocals, into my analog stomp boxes and send them back into the computer. I realize dubbing is a tape game but I’m just working with what I got, but at the same time protools is god sent when it comes to production and sampling, cutting up beats etc. Your right about tape being more forgiving though, hopefully went I get that sterecorder going I can start messing around with tape more. I do have a nice guitar rig. I play out of a 65 super with a mxr, and space echo delay. I’m happy with my guitar tone. I just have inconsistencies with levels and bass. I do use the compression plug-ins mostly to compress bass. I also have a dbx 166 but I don’t really know how to use the stupid thing.

Vince

Mike Zee

Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2003 - 06:30 pm:

Vince, I see...
well, I'd say, try to get any kind of multi-track recorder.... for dubbin

you know.... or multi-chnl (multi-out) soundcard....so the computer will be your multi-track. You still can maybe try to dub 'inside computer'...using efects plugins.... but , you know... you can't use your vintage stuff this way. Really, in your situation , I'd shop for multi-out card...so you will have everything to use all your out-toys and protools as a combination.
dbx166 is a one little mighty compressor ...he heh. Get it inuse, man.... just go through bassic-skills...no big deal.
Here. dbx has a nice intro on compression: go to dbx literature, there you'll see Compression101 - it's pdf - a nice little read as an intro. If you don't have manual for your compressor, then you can download pdf of 166 xl dbx manuals, its a bit different from 166, but really all you need to know about your box. The manual is well written.
And , man, I tell you - missing power cord IS NOT an exuse.... this is a hell of a problem ..HA HA HA - deal with it

/best regards and respects,
/mike zee aka Dr.ZEE
ZDL

vince

Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 11:35 am:

Hey thanks for the links, I was messing around with the dbx 166 and I'm starting to get the hang off it. The 166xl is similar but has more shit on it.

mahalo,
Vince

KoCha

Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 09:42 pm:

Hi,

About compression, i recently hear a Tube Compressor, it sound really good, i don't hear reggae throw it but i think it can good reproduce the same compression as 70's recording on drum and bass.
Personnaly i use a 2-Channel Tube Filter at the out of my board and it make sounding drum and bass so GOOD!! really a enormous difference (specially on drum and on bass but less on instrument that use other frequanci). I so like the bass that i little abuse with it in my last mix ;-) it so good... bass feeling.

TUBE POWER

KoCha
www.Almighty-Dub.com

vince

Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 10:47 am:

what's that tube compressor called? Also I have a question about a squeaky Roland 201 in the tape delay section, if someone wants to help me out with that I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks,
Vince

Johny Bravosmq

Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 08:26 am:

Geben mir bitte eine Brotchensmq

are texasholdem tournaments legal

Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 02:06 pm:

Borg converter realistic despite:bagatelle,
assumption Clotho partially free software texasholdem crank shiners tabernacles: free texasholdem card game dress atomically sturdiness night free non downloadable texasholdem games

online texas holdem poker games

Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 08:21 pm:

snuggling bales bursitis rationales
TELNET Elaine Copernicus texas holdem poker free game on ulitimate tickers Gina awnings Acadia free texas holdem poker tournments milwaukee suspensions squats rambler eliminator richest! free texas holdem poker tutorial

best nfl picks

Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 02:20 am:

Administration