How much compression are you using on vocals?

[brandondrury]

I was just curious as to how much compression everyone was using on their vocals either on tracking, mixdown, or both.

Before I tell you what Michael Wagener does, I figured I'd get a feel for what everyone else was doing.

Brandon

[DogpitStudios]

Depends if the singer can sing.

Ben

[brandondrury]

Really? Explain more.

Brandon

[dach]

Since the goal here is FAST, I tend to get lazy but ride, ride, ride...always sounds better to me.... pre comp of course... Most of the time I try to avoid compression as much as possible but sometimes the timbre benefits when it's hammered. Between riding and a bit of comp, dynamics are pretty controllable... the cool thing is how you can change the timbre/color.

For me it depends on the track though... "sometimes" it just sounds better when squashed but I always prefer the least amount of compression possible... especially when in the box. I try to use compression in stages if that makes sense... A little going in, a little on the track, a little on a buss, etc... vox needs a lot of riding.....

Going in, with the girl I record the most, she doesn't need the 1176/8 very often, I usually usually use an LA4 which is much smoother and sounds better on her voice but only a couple of dB @ 2 or 4:1.. (each of the different settings have different color). I've even used a compellor which was great but it doesn't always fit the bill. I bought an RNC to try but I just don't care for it on anything at all... a bit cloudy to me...

Once in the box I'll try the UAD LA2 first but 1176 sounds better if you need more color and shaping than the 2 gives.