Quote:
|
would you squash an already HI gained guitar sound, or samples that have already been compressed ?
|
One reason is to bring out harmonic content without resorting to EQ. I don't think "squash" is the right word with a high gain electric guitar because as Vulcon has pointed out, dynamics were tossed out in that signal long before hand when the guitar player set his gain knob.
I don't always compress distorted electric guitar, but when I do it's for tonal reasons. When dealing with the high gain stuff, I'd say there is zero difference in actual dynamics. It certainly doesn't sound squashed.
I think there is a huge difference between using lots of compression during tracking and individual tracks during mixing verses the 2bus and mastering stages. Heavy compression is nothing new.
When I saw Micheal Wagener knocking 10-18dB off a vocal during tracking and then knocking another 20dB during mixing I asked him if this was normal. He said "Oh hell! I've been doing this forever." We can debate the point, but for us rock guys he's a robo mega engineer who has made some outstanding sounding recordings that don't sound smashed in any way (in my opinion).
Of course, you mix Ozzy Osbourne differently than you do James Taylor or Mariah Carey.
Quote:
|
Did they post on this site. I meant home audio guys posting to this site.
|
So you are basically saying that overcompression is a home recording land problem. I can't disagree, but let me add the following:
songwriting
performance
acoustics
engineering
mixing
mastering
All of these are shortcomings in home recordings most of the time. That's kind of the deal. None of us are "there yet".
So what are we discussing on this post, exactly? Is overcompression (particularly on the 2bus) an issue at Bash This Recording? Sure. I don't think anyone is going to debate that.
Then again, I think there are zillions of other issues that also warrant improvement. Where does a person start?
Brandon