I have two questions for everybody:
1) I record using Digidesign 002 and Waves Gold plugins, so I usually record all tracks without compression and then just add it with the Waves Renaissance comp. I think that I should probably start doing light compression at tracking though, just to get levels up a bit more. The main reason I don't do it already is I have ruined tracks before by overcompressing when tracking. But I want to learn how to properly compress when tracking. I have two RNC's. I guess I am asking for recommendations on how to set them up: what attack, what release, or should I just use Super Nice mode. Also, I was thinking a ratio of 2:1 or less, but should I set the threshold relatively high or relatively low? I record a lot of rock, but also a broad variety of acoustic and vocals also.
2) I have some rock mixes that sound muddy to me right now, and I am pretty sure it is due to subsonic information below 80 hz. I want to know how to set up a subsonic filter to get rid of the extraneously-low bass, but I still want to keep all the bass that should be there. I will probably be using Renaissance EQ to do it. Where should I set the filter, what kind of slope, etc?
Thanks!
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Hi there, #1, I would use a low ratio 2 to 1 with about 2-3 db o
Hi there,
#1, I would use a low ratio 2 to 1 with about 2-3 db of compression on vox or acoustic gtr, maybe a bit more squash on a machine gun kick drum.
#2 Set up a 1 band (waves or digi 3) high pass on your master fader with the freq set at about 40 hz. This will roll off freqs below 40. You may have to experiment with the slope and the freq to taste. Make sure this filter is before any mix bus compression or limiting. Or you may want to insert the high pass on the problem tracks, i.e. kick and bass, also before any track compression or other EQ.
If the problem is a muddy sound you may have to much energy in the 110 to 200 hz range and it may be due to frequency overlap of the gtrs and bass. I usually insert a low shelf(cut) or high pass on guitars as a lot of muck goes away, just don't make them too thin or the guitarist will whine. Good luck!