Compressors??

[1 M.I.C]

Ok So... We Have a Little set Up, A M-Audio Usb AudioPhile And a MxL 990..

But My Question Is ABout A Compressor... Is it Needed? I know It Offers some of The Dynamic Prossesing that Is In Adobe Audtion which im using but ive heard from alot of people that a compressor is practically a neccesity..

Anyways Im Looking For some Advice On The Situation. Im Looking at 2 Channel Compressors in the 100-150 dollar range.

more specifically im looking at this one .
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHMDX2600

[.tom]

if you're only using 1 mic, get 1 compressor... this is a good compressor for $150... clik

[1 M.I.C]

i did plan to get 1 compressor lol.. that IS a 2 channel compressor. but thx.

still looking for some clarity on what exactly compressors can do for me though.

[.tom]

ha! oops... it's a goody tho there's alot about wut compressors do and how/when to use them here at the forums and on the net.... 1 line, they make (it easier to record and mix)phat trax.

[benniferj]

phat trax!? oh dear. you might want to read some of the guides on this site before you plunge in on buying equipment when you dont even know what it does. read the guides, they will teach you the basics that you NEED to know before you even think of spending a lot of cash...

[.tom]

....oh dear wut? there isn't one song worth listen to without applied compression during some step of the process and the most important time to apply compression to vox is during traking. this is the single most crucial step anyone can take to get better sounding recordings. as for reading about compressors, sure. but you've got to get behind the wheel or you'll never no wut the hell your reading about and how to use it. there is no guideline to dynamic treatment -either you can hear it and make it work 4u or you need to play till you do... you've got to have the gear to even start understanding for real.... if you're reluctant to spend $150 in making music, you're in the wrong biz. a mere pittance...

[benniferj]

i never said dont get a compressor. i just said read up on what they do on this site. makes sense right?

and the 'phat trax oh dear' comment was just in relation to what you said... 'phat trax from da ghetto mate!?' come on...

[.tom]

phat trax from monster magnet, pearljam, linkin park, tony iommi... gnarls barkley, joan jett... slang may have an ethnic origin but, if its good slang it is of and for universal nature... phat would be one of those. perhaps you'd i.d. it if i'd written fat instead. mote'd... ha! backslider. you want this guy to study for the written part of the drivers test when he's already driving and wants to put a bit o kit on his wheels. i say put the kit on and continue driving. he'll figure out how to utilize the add ons thru experience...

[benniferj]

yeh, 'fat' gives off a bit more of a serious impression than some slang. anywho.

i'll put my point across a lot better than what i said before. maybe the guy should work out what a compressor even does before he buys one. or if he needs a hardware compressor. as in my opinion he might do better buying another mic and using a software plugin. besides you wont get a brilliant compressor for $150 whereas you can get a nice mid range mic for that easy. sure setting up a decent studio setup isnt cheap but if youre on a budget which pretty much everyone that is asking what a compressor is, is likely to be, then some careful and well thought out investments may go better than shelling out money on a whim. cheers. ben.

[.tom]

well ok... but a cheap decent compressor like the dbx is far better sounding than a plugin during capture. y? cuz it's compressing in the analogue domain... like b4 digitizing, where a compressor will allwayz do its best work during capture. plugins are terriffic in the post. a entry level opto compressor will do some serious improvements too but, $300. aloha ben -tom