jbolles702
01-04-2007, 03:39 PM
My policy with respect to compressors has always been to record vocals and acoustic guitars without compression and apply later if desired. But trying to get strong mixes was impressing on me that I better bite the bullet and start compressing going in.
I have avoided using compressors because the ones I have used tend to suck the life out of the track, and no amount of make-up gain or EQ can revive it. Plus, I tend to be particular about compressors; I don't want to hear them working. I realize a lot of that has to do with the settings, but some "pro-sumer" compressors just are not going to cut it, regardless of knob adjustments. The only compressor I ever heard that I really liked was a Manley, and I DEFINITELY do not have the money for that!
So, after a lot of research, I got a Joemeek TwinQ. The price point and feature set fell right in with my needs. I was especially interested in the digital output, as this will up my Digi 001 track count from 8 to 10. I bought it while in the middle of a full-length project with a local singer/songwriter. Since I did not have experience with it, I did not try to use it during the making of the CD.
The project is now finished, so, in exchange for free demos, the artist has agreed to come to my studio and be a guinea pig. Last night was the first such session. First we recorded a guitar track using four mics for comparison. (No C1's- We recorded the whole albums using C1's, so we already knew what they sounded like.) Then we recorded three vocal tracks using the TwinQ, first with a C1 with little compression, second with a C1 with more compression, and third with another manufacturer's tube mic with the same basic compressor settings. In the final analysis, we went with the second setup. The tube mic sounded very nice and smooth, but the slight rise in the C1 help it cut through the mix, and this quality was missed when A/B'ed with the tube mic.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with the performance of the TwinQ. The improved uniformity of the waveform is clearly visible, peaks are handled nicely, and when hit hard, it sounds very natural.
One thing: I used the XLR analog +4dB output. Next session we'll try the S/PDIF out.
I have avoided using compressors because the ones I have used tend to suck the life out of the track, and no amount of make-up gain or EQ can revive it. Plus, I tend to be particular about compressors; I don't want to hear them working. I realize a lot of that has to do with the settings, but some "pro-sumer" compressors just are not going to cut it, regardless of knob adjustments. The only compressor I ever heard that I really liked was a Manley, and I DEFINITELY do not have the money for that!
So, after a lot of research, I got a Joemeek TwinQ. The price point and feature set fell right in with my needs. I was especially interested in the digital output, as this will up my Digi 001 track count from 8 to 10. I bought it while in the middle of a full-length project with a local singer/songwriter. Since I did not have experience with it, I did not try to use it during the making of the CD.
The project is now finished, so, in exchange for free demos, the artist has agreed to come to my studio and be a guinea pig. Last night was the first such session. First we recorded a guitar track using four mics for comparison. (No C1's- We recorded the whole albums using C1's, so we already knew what they sounded like.) Then we recorded three vocal tracks using the TwinQ, first with a C1 with little compression, second with a C1 with more compression, and third with another manufacturer's tube mic with the same basic compressor settings. In the final analysis, we went with the second setup. The tube mic sounded very nice and smooth, but the slight rise in the C1 help it cut through the mix, and this quality was missed when A/B'ed with the tube mic.
Overall, I am VERY pleased with the performance of the TwinQ. The improved uniformity of the waveform is clearly visible, peaks are handled nicely, and when hit hard, it sounds very natural.
One thing: I used the XLR analog +4dB output. Next session we'll try the S/PDIF out.