Unwanted static spike

[tonecircles]

I'm new to home recording. My set up is a simple one. Guitar --> amp--> 2mics on the cabinet(1 dynamic 1 condensor) --> DBX Compressor --> ART preamp --> M-Audio Delta 1010LT interface --> Sonar 7

I'm recording electric guitar at low volume. For some reason I am getting an unwanted static spike in the recoriding when I begin to play. It happens only when I pick the first note on the electric guitar(Single Coils). Since I am new and learning I thought maybe somoene might have some idea of what might be causing this spike. Thanks a lot for your help.

[richiebee]

Could be a few things... firstly though, your signal chain is wrong - mics to preamp to compressor to delta is how it should be.

It could be that you have the attack on your compressor set too low and are missing the first peak which then gives you digital clipping.

[tonecircles]

My chain is correct I described it wrong above. The attack on the compressor is half way between fast and slow with over easy. How can I test your idea? Any recommended or standard settings I should try on the compressor? Its a dbx 266XL compressor and the guitars are being recorded at room level with gain added in the preamp to get the signal up in the daw. Thanks.

[tonecircles]

hey richiebee,

It definitely is a clip. The DAW shows the DB in red when a clip occurs along the wav form. It is weird as the clips range from 1.3 to 9.0 db ??? This was happening on the lead guitar track on the first note of every new run. I'm sure I'll work it out eventually but just wanted to follow up. If you/anyone have any ideas how to avoid this track killer let me know.

Thanks,
-tonecircles

[richiebee]

Your problem is almost certainly the attack time on your compressor - take it back to the fastest level it can be. The guitar has pretty fast transients, so you need a fast attack time to catch them.

A compressor has many uses - some utilitarian, some creative. Basically, if you're looking to reduce the dynamic range, to give the illusion of an overall louder sound, you need to use a fast attack time. If you're looking to emphasize the attack of the instrument (give drums added punch for instance), you use a slow attack time. The thing is, that when you use a slow attack time, you'll miss the initial hit - it will get through the compressor. If the gain is then too high on your compressor, you will clip.

To fix this particular problem, start by bringing the attack time back to the fastest it can be. If it still clips, you need to reduce the gain. If the dynamics are lost completely or the sound does not have the desired shape, reduce the ratio of compression.

I'm sure your compressor comes with a manual that tells you how it works... certainly most of them do. It would be helpful for you to read it so that you understand what your compressor can do. If the manual doesn't help, let us know and I'll find you a good article to read... Brandon might even have one on here already.

[brandondrury]

Your problem is almost certainly the attack time on your compressor - take it back to the fastest level it can be. The guitar has pretty fast transients, so you need a fast attack time to catch them.

The other solution is this: Don't completely DESTROY the signal with compression. If you are getting a big spike, this means you are really crushing the signal.

This hardware compression issue with beginners has came up 10-20 times this month. I find it interesting that there are so many people with hardware compressors who are still in Compression 101 and here I am with my trusty plugins.

Brandon

[tonecircles]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be reading the manual again and seeing what I can do to fix up the signal path and do some more tests. Haven't recorded since then. Been learning about mixing in the DAW, EQ etc...

I find it interesting that there are so many people with hardware compressors who are still in Compression 101 and here I am with my trusty plugins.

When the lights are dim I like to see the leds pulsing and glowing in the rack. The more leds the better. Now thats a good reason to have not one, but TWO hardware compressors. Seriously, when I bought them I knew zero about the software plugins. I also use one in my guitar rig for its noise gate. Just one more thing to mangle my tone! LOL That channel is alright.

[brandondrury]

You've got me on the LED thing. I don't have near enough LEDs blinking in my room.

Brandon