In my glorified project studio I have a handfull of comps, from an Alesis that I use to hold the door open to my prized RNCs, with a few older dbxen in between. My experience has led me to believe that this is good enough for tracking and mixdown for the stuff I do, but when it comes time to turn my mix into a demo CD I find myself coming up lacking about half the time.
My not so golden ears are telling me that using an RNC across the mix bus as a poor man's master comp is just fine sometimes (I love supernice mode :D ), but is a not so good idea other times. I can't describe it too well, it's just a general feeling that altho compression is a good thing on that track, there's something that's a little bit "off".
Of the half of the time I'm displeased with the sound, I can attribute about 15% or so to doing the last listen too late or after a too-long day (I know, I know). Another 15% of my dissatisfaction can probably be attributed to poor mixes (I was that good I'd be answering questions instead of asking them ;)
TIA
-dave
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Compression is a funny thing. I find a lot of music now is over
Compression is a funny thing. I find a lot of music now is over compressed. With more people listening to MP3 files over a computer system it's a sound people are getting used to. Next time you dont like the sound bypass the compressor. Make sure what you are doing is better than what you had. Try adjusting the level going into the compressor. This will dramatically change how the comp. reacts to the signal.
I agree. When I strap a comp across the stereo bus I tend to use very gentle compression. I find that a little goes a long way. When I first started I had no qualms about smashing the signal so flat that the only dynamics heard involved manipulation of the level control on the amp :D
Thanks
-dave
There are a couple things out there you should look at. I don't
There are a couple things out there you should look at. I don't know if you can find a compressor that will really do a good job without spending a little more. The new Manley Slam is worth checking out. Focusrite has a green series that might be in your price range. You can probably find a Finalizer for not too much more.
Compression is a funny thing. I find a lot of music now is over compressed. With more people listening to MP3 files over a computer system it's a sound people are getting used to. Next time you dont like the sound bypass the compressor. Make sure what you are doing is better than what you had. Try adjusting the level going into the compressor. This will dramatically change how the comp. reacts to the signal.