#511127 - 03/24/04 06:57 AM
Mic to Preamp to DAW
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smk
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Registered: 02/29/04
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Does anyone track vocals straight from mic to preamp to their DAW without any compression or eq? Just interested in finding out how this method works for some people.
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Scott
"You only live once..."
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#511128 - 03/24/04 04:24 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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doug osborne
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I think most people do.
With 24-bit recording we have enough headroom and inner dynamics to set recording levels low enough to avoid distortion, yet not run into the noise floor.
I track with a compressor, set essentially as a limiter, when recording myself to avoid overs, but it's pretty transparent; any squashing or other evil compressor use comes later.
Unless you absolutely know the sound you need (and good engineers often do), you probably don't want to use extreme dynamic control or EQ when you track, since these are available at mixdown whether you are recording analog or in a DAW.
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#511129 - 03/24/04 04:34 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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smk
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Thanks for your reply. The reason I asked is because I've never recorded with compression or eq except for the soft limit on the Rosetta. That being said, I am considering purchasing the Avalon 737 which, in my opinion, has more processing power than I need, but the preamp that I want. However, I am stuck on this thought that the compression and eq on the 737 will be better than my plug in (TC Works) so I am tempted to start recording with effects. It does seem kind of risky, though, because of I wouldn't be able to change anything later...
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Scott
"You only live once..."
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#511130 - 03/24/04 04:49 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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henryrobinett
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I don't think the compressor in the 737sp is very good. I like the pres though. I'd be careful tracking with too much of it.
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Henry Robinett
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#511131 - 03/24/04 04:57 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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Philip O'Keefe
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Normally I track with the mic and preamp into the converter. I also use just a touch of compression while tracking, but that varies from case to case. Sometimes I won't use any.
When tracking vocals, I almost never use any EQ at all. I find that comes back to bite me in the butt later more often than not, so I just don't do it. If the mic / pre / compressor isn't giving me the tone I'm after, then I'll start swapping things out... usually starting with a different mic, sometimes using a different preamp, sometimes changing out both. But I stay as far away from EQ while tracking vocals as I possibly can.
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#511132 - 03/25/04 01:37 AM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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natpub
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Normally I track with the mic and preamp into the converter. I also use just a touch of compression while tracking, but that varies from case to case. Sometimes I won't use any.
When tracking vocals, I almost never use any EQ at all. I find that comes back to bite me in the butt later more often than not, so I just don't do it. If the mic / pre / compressor isn't giving me the tone I'm after, then I'll start swapping things out... usually starting with a different mic, sometimes using a different preamp, sometimes changing out both. But I stay as far away from EQ while tracking vocals as I possibly can.
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#511133 - 03/25/04 03:48 AM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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Nathan_Eldred
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Originally posted by smk:
Does anyone track vocals straight from mic to preamp to their DAW without any compression or eq? Just interested in finding out how this method works for some people.
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#511134 - 03/25/04 04:29 AM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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smk
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Thanks Nathan. That helps a ton to know what kind of compression is being used for tracking. I'll try that method and see how it works for me.
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Scott
"You only live once..."
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#511135 - 03/26/04 05:45 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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DC
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Some female vocalists tend to get piercing when they belt. A cut at 2K or stick a 2K spike into the sidechain of a compressor tends to help.
I tend to cut a bit at around 315 Hz on many singers including me.
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#511136 - 03/29/04 10:40 PM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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Ollie
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A good eq for some singers when using a condensor mic in the cardiod patterned mic is for a singer to back up from the mic. Proximity backs off a bit and it can sound great.
Different pre-amps with the same mic can make a fairly large difference in the sound coming off the performer. Last weekend, I tracked the same singer with the same mic, but changed pres around for different songs. Why, because it just fit the attitude of the tune better.
One song was a M49 -> Altec 1567a tube pre, with a little bit low end rolled off into a distressor with a 3:1 compression fairly slow attack set around 8 and quicker release around 2.5
Other song changed to an ALTEC 438c pre/comp. A bit more aggressive and a tad brigher. Cut through the track great, without ever sounding tinny or thin.
I almost always track vocals with a light amount of compression.
I have found that song can dictate what kind of pre and comp I will use.
Background vocs, I will sometimes use a DBX 160VU comp. It smooths out a backing vocal real nice.
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#511137 - 03/30/04 02:11 AM
Re: Mic to Preamp to DAW
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zele
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We generally track with a DVC Manley limiter--and maybe a slight low EQ adjust...depends on the "self-control" of the performer. Our chain >>> Mic~ Manley~ Sek'D 2496 A/D converter~ DAW
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