Compress vocals: software or hardware?

[twitcher73]

Hi all,

Is there a noticeable difference between using a soft-compressor versus buying a compressor and linking it up?

Also - where do you link a physical compressor? I have a mic into a simple 8 track mixer, balanced outs into my firewire interface. do you go mic > Comp > Board > interface? Or Mic> Board > Comp >interface? OR - should a comp be on an effects loop type of scenario?
(See, I know just enough now to be half dangerous!)

Thanks!

[studio139]

Your first question is very open ended. There can be vast differences between models of hardware compressors let alone between software and hardware. Some compressors are renowned for the colouration of the audio, others are pretty transparent.
Dispite this the principles are the same, when a signal reaches a set threshold the amount of increase in gain is reduced based on the ratio choosen. Most compressors and limiters are inserted into the signal chain, not effects loops. Normal procedure would be Mic, Preamp, comp.

Cheers