Waves Gold Bundle Compressors

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the waves Gold Bundle, but I'm still having a problem with compressing the lead Vocal. My problem is:

I need to know which compressor to use to keep the vocal from getting to loud? It's like 4 compressors (c1, c1 w/gate, c4, and a few more),

Also, I need to know on the compressor, which is it, the threshold that really controls how loud it really gets?

Thanks!

I'm using Protools LE, PC 2.4 gig, 512mb

set your threshold to 0db and use a ratio of infinity to limit the signal..that is the most extreme way of making sure the vocal doesn't get too loud....

once you have aquinted yourself with that bring the ration right back down and play with the threshold until the peak of the vocal is not going past db mark you have decided on...

greg

Vocals need to be tamed depending on the character of the vocal
the output is where it gets louder if you turn it up the threshold
controls the dbs you can take it down to like 6 and keep some
headroom but I use a Maxim plug for vocals

L1 limiter Ultramaximizer also for vocals the C1 compression may be
the last plug you may want to use to bump up your vocals or tame
them.

Dubmonkey is correct if you zero things out then start adjusting
you may get your desired picth

Try the waves renaissance comp. Select "vocal" from the preset menu. Adjust to taste. If your vocal is peaking (in the red) and you're still not hearing it enough then try backing down other elements in the track. Insert the L2 on your master fader. Set your output ceiling to .1, adjust your threshold to taste (3-5 db attenuation) This will help to maintain the overall lodness of the track.

Also, I need to know on the compressor, which is it, the threshold that really controls how loud it really gets?

The threshold doesn't control how loud the vocals will get but it controls when the compression will\will not take affect. Like if you have the threshold set at -10db then the compressor will only compress the signal up until the volume level of -10db, everything with a volume of less than -10db will not be affected.
1.) the threshold controls how much of the signal is effected
2.) the ratio controls how much of the signal is reduced
3.) the attack and release controls when compression starts and releases
4.) the gain controls how much signal is added back to the compressed signal. If the compressor compresses the signal by 6db then you need to apply 6db of gain to the signal. The gain is what controls the volume.

note: I don't know how much experience you have with compressors but 1 thing that I didn't know when I first start using them is the gain reduction feild, check to see how much of the signal is being reduced by the compressor.
I also agree with ddot about the waves renaissance comp., you will be able to tell the difference.

if its an emcee give it heaps of compression so all those word are loud and even, singers dont need as much and get a valve compressor plugins are just not as hype

thanks a lot guys, you have really helped me! jonespnice thank's for that extra info, that is really what I needed to be explained on top of the other things!

so, should I be using a compressor all of the time when I record vocals(for the best sound) or should I just try to not clip? Does compression really change the sound(make it richer, bring up the lows,...ect)?

Ive heard of radio guys that will put a compressor on then turn the gain all of the way up to give them that well pronounced voice sound. I dont think I really like this sound, for hip hop vocals at least.

blowout dome wrote:so, should I be using a compressor all of the time when I record vocals(for the best sound) or should I just try to not clip? Does compression really change the sound(make it richer, bring up the lows,...ect)?

Ive heard of radio guys that will put a compressor on then turn the gain all of the way up to give them that well pronounced voice sound. I dont think I really like this sound, for hip hop vocals at least.

1.) I would say yes you should use a compressor whenever you record vocals, just to help tame the signal and prevent it from clipping. On vocals compression doesn't really change the sound except it increases the apparent volume, that's all.

2.) when they use compressors for radio, it's used more like a limiter, they use it to make sure that the volume doesn't exceed a predetermined level. Radio stations can't have a signal exceeding the fcc regulations.

Just use a limiter then if you want to add compression after that then
fine. I just use various things depending on the character of the vocal
to get that desired sound that Iam looking for to compliment the track

jonespice is on the money

1.Dither
2.Trim
3.Limiter