Compression question

[Sacred One]

Should I individually use a compressor on each track or just compress the whole mix?

 

[eXampuL_oNe]

Compress your vocals if u don 't have a compressor... If you are multi tracking your beats (layering them out snare: track one, kick: track 2 etc..) add compressions were u feel necessary... I usually add a lite compression to my kick, snare and hi hats and then eq them... But compression is good for vocals because it keeps the record take even (meaning if an emcee steps back from the mic without compression it will take away from the recording, with compression it sounds like he never stepped away, feel me?).. And also eq the vocals for better sound, make it sound how u want it... If this didn't answer your question let me know, i'll fill in the blank spots...

 

[Bosta]

exampul, what kind of compression do you put on vocals? any special presets i should try?

 

[Loose Cannon]

Do yall do digital compression like on your comp or did you actually buy a rackmount compressor?

 

[eXampuL_oNe]

I use digital compression... Usually the preset compression i use is good enough... I just add that on the vocals twice usually and then eq them... I do also have a compressor and a pre amp.. when i used them before and since i had no booth. it was pickin up everything... I use logic though and those compressors in there are nice but cool edit also has some nice compressions... In cool edit i would just use the soft knee preset for the vocals and save the changes.... ya feel me? If you go to my soundclick page and listen to "the game" you can see how the cool edit compression sounds... Those vocals were compressed in cool edit but not eq'ed.. This was when i was still learning (still am though).... Learning how to add efects to vocals and getting them to sound how u want can be really difficult at times... Once u get the hang of it though you'll love it...