A Better Way To Record Vocals: Tracking With A Compressor

[@Jaredmfullerton]

The greatest video to explain and break down a good vocal chain. Best I have ever seen

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@bradalford9829]

Funny, I( see DBX Compressors everywhere but it seems people are afraid that if they say how good they are they wont be cool anymore. It's OK, They work great, even on VX. :) I have a bunch of them covering all my drum channels but use a 160A with my bluey 1176 together a lot and it works great. Years ago DBX was huge ! Dont beleive everything you read until you try it first hand.

[@darkwulftmg]

Nice explanations. Going to pick up a dbx 266xs tomorrow. Looking forward to playing with that.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you, yeah it’s a pretty good compressor especially for the price!

[@FlatTire]

I’m option 2, still on Steinberg MR816 and DBX166xs. Great preamp and reasonably good compressor to keep those peaks in check. Cheers!

[@ENIGMABEAT107]

I have compressor for the passed two years now,but I don't kn how to connected it, but with this tutorial I grabbed.thank to you mr. May God help you too.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you!!!!!

[@JKGuitarPro]

Helpful by how simply you put it. Very good job! Thank you!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thanks so much

[@TheToocold]

At last. I am starting to understand compression. 1000 thanks.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Awesome, glad i could help!

[@PhantomO01]

Duuuuuuude thankkkkk youuuuuuuuu. You broke this downnnnnnn soooooo wellll. Thanks 🙏

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you thank you

[@KingStoley.T]

I have literally the same equipment, subbed before I watched it 🙏🏾💪🏾

[@TrueSoundTV]

Awesome man, thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@andyvoice3612]

it's a good way to control rec level but .. if you do that it will be impossible to change during mixing .. so nowadays it's usually better to use direct rec via low noise interface

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

For a budget studio i recommend a good preamp like a focusrite isa one and a. DYNAMIC mic that wont pick up the untreated room .. Sennheiser e835 is excellentlnt

[@Andrey.Balandin]

For a budget studio I would recommend saving on gear and investing in sound treatment instead. Even DIY mineral wool absorption panels worth 100-200 dollars will do a whole lot more to the studio sound than extra 600-1000 dollars on gear. There is actually no point in putting any good gear in an acoustically untreated room.

[@Andrey.Balandin]

After the room is treated the next biggest factor is the microphone - way above the preamp, outboard gear and interface. And once you've treated your room, you can go for a condenser mic, and that would outperform most of dynamic mics in most scenarios. And only once you've done that you may go into nitty-gritty split-hair differences between preamps, compressors and interfaces.

[@JayInHisPrime]

1:42 mic/preamp/compressor/interface set up

[@EuropaMan]

Great advice and well explained! Ryan -any instructional videos on SONAR? Excellent videos!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Yes, this KZbin channel is all done with Cakewalk sonar platinum! There is almost 140 videos but is there anything particular I could direct you to?

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@DavidGonzalez-st6op]

Hi Ryan! Thanks so much for your time!! I have a little question. Your option 2 is the same if we use the compresor inside the DW like a external (hardware) plugin? I mean, you are recording you vocal track and insert in your DW a external compressor. The signal I think that is recording without compressor, right? Thanks so much!!

[@LOUDPACG]

I use a mixer with eq and compressor built in.

[@katuposengujama1360]

That’s how I started it’s better than I do my recording today

[@WillieMCruz]

What a great video man

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@pullthereins]

My current recording chain is Microphone, 8 channel XLR / 4 quarter inch output Snake, 8 channel Focusrite Audio Interface, PreSonus Monitor Station V2, Logic Pro X. I’d like to get a compressor and was wondering where amongst this list that a compressor should go.

[@user-pq9ub1py9r]

how to hook it up in DAW. Please reply thank you!

[@learnerforever6933]

Thank you very very much! Great video and super clear explanation , I learned couple of new things from you :)👌🏼 highly appreciated! I'm a beginner, but thank god I managed to afford good gear and get super clean signal. My setup is like Rode NT1 >> GAP PRE-73 mk II >> Apogee Duet. Now I liked your idea of adding a compressor in the middle but seriously worried about "self noise" of the added device. So can you please advice on a good compressor with ultra low noise? My budget for compressor is $300max. I just don't want to destroy the quietness of my setup (which costed me a lot to achieve) 😅 and for me, having a quiet uncompressed signal would be better than a noisy compressed signal. Thanks in advance!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you, glad i could help. So yeah if you know how to properly gain stage from the mic pre to the compressor and then to the interface, you won't have any issue. Even the 20 year old gear i have makes an inaudible amount of self noise. My analog chains are 5-7 pieces of gear and i only have issues with signals that were just recorded way to quietly. So for a vocal compressor, i absolutely love the DBX 160X compressor. You can't buy them new but can get a used one for about $150 on eBay. Feel free to email me at [e-mail]. Thanks for watching!

[@learnerforever6933]

TrueSoundStudios thanks for your kind reply and help 😀👍🏼

[@DJSidhu24]

I love the way you did it bro very helpful.... Love you bro

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you!!!

[@derrickchapman7283]

I love the way you explain im in a situation of i got a presonous channelstrip in 2 compressors a art in dbxa wondering how i hook it up in i use presonous in i get a hiss noise only when i open up the daw

[@thegreatraymondo671]

Is it me or does this guy look and sound like Saul Goodman?

[@prodbytytaan]

Sounds like Badger

[@kingofthejungle9300]

Great video, can you tell me if I can use a xlr to xlr cable from preamp to compressor? I have a small presonus tubepre and a dbx266xl!

[@TrueSoundTV]

The cable connection doesn’t matter, it can be a variety of connections. In your case, you can go xlr out of the mic pre into the xlr connection on the DBX, from there you can go out of the DBX through either of the xlr or 1/4 inch connection into the line input on you interface

[@derrickchapman7283]

Can we get a calibration video for preamp to get a good input level for recording

[@Cactustone]

If your preamp has the option to send either mic or line level to your compressor, which would be best?

[@giannicrivello3705]

Just want to encourage you that you're doing a good job, and if you're looking to increase your subscriber base and viewership... just keep making this level of video all of the time.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate that! Yeah i'm hoping my 5 videos a week will also help grow this channel. Thanks for watching and the advise!

[@DystopianOwl]

Are you using a DBX 160X/XT/A as a tracking compressor for the vocals? It sounds surprisingly good! It also sounds like you have an EQ on it? Is that the coloration of the compressor or something else?

[@TrueSoundTV]

I use the 160X to record with and typically just a touch of 2-4K, and maybe take out a bit of 500hz

[@chitonyc1979]

Ok. I just bought the dbx 286s. It's a pre-amp and compressor. Should I have bought 2 separate things? HELP NEEDED!

[@TrueSoundTV]

It is fairly the same idea of signal routing but you can't change out the preamp if you ever wanted to. I'd keep it!

[@chitonyc1979]

Thanks!

[@Dsrgreyy]

I just got the same one. I'm really enjoying it

[@fabianquintero1824]

what if your pre amp has a compressor and eq on it ? I have a PreSonus Studio Channel & PreSonus Studio 1824c USB-C Audio Interface

[@waynevii4961]

thank you

[@dopameanBRICK]

Thank you.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you

[@iamcam6896]

what mic do use ? Have you heard of townsend l22 mic its like the SLATE ML-1 But wayyyyyy better . I wanna get one i haven't heard one bad thing about it and I looked everywhere .

[@TrueSoundTV]

I have the Slate VMS mic and it’s amazing, people who complain about that mic probably have a terrible room to record in.

[@japroductions6583]

I have a big question? I think I got my compressors setup right but just wanted to double check . I have an Apollo twin as my interface , a la-610 mk and just got the wa-2a . I did the same setup as you showed but for some reason I can’t seem to get a good quality sound out of it, it’s like is loosing gain while I record vocals, I got everything hooked up via xlr cables no trs cables

[@fraga2009]

Nice tip... Can I record with a de esser fitted...?Would you like to teach us how to set it? About the way you mount the presonus in the rack... Maybe we have some issues of over heat on it...do not we?

[@yoselinfarias9334]

Thankyou that really helped me.

[@gabeolivermusic8038]

Man this guy is the SHIT!! Innovative as fuck! Done. Subscribed !

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you thank you, much appreciated!

[@philipantiporda1345]

sir please help me is this correct set up? Interface "insert"(TRS) to "in & out" of preamp and from preamp "insert"(TRS) into "in & out" of compressor is this correct sir?

[@TENACER]

very instructive tutorial, thx so much... i've seen some other configurarion. Mic -- Comp -- Preamp -- Interface -- Daw.. what do you think about it? pleaseee... is it ok or wrong? why ?... thx..

[@TrueSoundTV]

No problem, so yeah having the compressor before the preamp would make the noise level really high. Although it would be possible, it wouldn't sound good at all. The mic needs the preamp to raise it's super quiet signal level to something that line level gear can use. Thanks for watching!

[@rr88821]

How to use the dbx 286s insert to my focusrite?

[@hitmusicsociety]

If I use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd gen, do i still need to get a separate pre-amp? to use the compressor?

[@Andrey.Balandin]

Yes, with 2i4 having no send/return (insert) option, you would want either a separate preamp before a compressor or a preamp + compressor combined. Or you could just make do with compressor plugins (just watch the levels on on 2i4 peak meter not to clip during recording). I myself am about to go the route of outboard compressor with Presonos Studio Channel which is preamp+compressor+eq combined. I have done without an outboard compressor for over a year with my 2i2, and I think if I only recorded vocals I could continue to get by with plugins. But for electric guitar and bass I feel like an outboard compressor could really make things easier. I am kind of hoping for some marginal sound improvement for vocals from Presonos Studio Channel as well and perhaps an easier workflow. That said, I am just as ready to end up selling the external compressor and just sticking to plugins as well.

[@muu6789]

i got the audiobox too, so can i conect and analog compressor for recording and mixing without a preamp?'

[@dop3boii6o4]

I have a question. I have a microphone compressor called tc01 by SMPRO. Now I connect my nt1 Rhode mic to my compressor which happen to have a pre amp in it, then connect the out put of the compressor to my ur22 pre amp interface connecting via mic input, in which btw doesn't have a return or send input. Is this method works as well or am I messing my equipment up. Pls let me know thanks.

[@PrettyLady7282]

Can we do all that inside the DAW with all plugins and AI hardware?

[@carmen4022]

Would this work with the DBX 266xs?

[@classikunity1358]

Thanks man!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you!!!

[@cbgmgchibama7700]

What if you have send in return on the preamp in run it to the compressor is that right or wrong need help

[@Nola2trill504]

good job

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you thank you!

[@coolblue8990]

They STRUM... and they they, uh, then they... STRUM 😂

[@ajaysethiofficial]

Hey man I have audient id4 as my interface and I'm looking to buy art tube preamp but I've read somewhere that the preamps in the id4 can't be bypassed and there's no point using a preamp with this type of interface. Is it true or there's something more to this? Thanks

[@TrueSoundTV]

Yeah i honestly don't know, sorry

[@appinovate3946]

Hey Sir Great Vid what about AD convertors how does that work

[@TrueSoundTV]

Check this video out kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWjbaJVplpampdE

[@aviciifans8834]

Name on the blue microphone on the end of video ?

[@fraga2009]

I'm subscribed!!!!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you

[@derrickchapman7283]

I have a presonous channelstrip going to a compressor to my interface but no send in return so what u think

[@TrueSoundTV]

As long as it's running into an analog input your good!

[@LossLeadas]

cool

[@JamesSheets]

Ryan, I have a Line 6 UX-2 that has built in effects (including a preamp and compression). Would that be acceptable?

[@TrueSoundTV]

Hey, so i'm not sure. Let me look into that! Are these effects build in the software though?

[@JamesSheets]

TrueSoundStudios yes the software in the interface has a suite of tools

[@TrueSoundTV]

So i looks like they are plugins, so in that case it would still work like analog gear. Might be even easier than the analog!

[@benja303]

can someone please explain what a preamp does? I have researched it but I still cant understand.

[@chitonyc1979]

It basically gives your mic gain. (Makes your mic louder)

[@cvmptrufilms9799]

Should we use a DI box when using a preamp?

[@RCutOffakavEM]

If mic goes into preamp>compressor>line in of the audio interface, then the answer is no

[@ghostnotebeats]

question brother does it go threw the board before it hit the interface?

[@TrueSoundTV]

Yes so it's microphone - mixer - dbx compressor - interface

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

Cool

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thanks

[@rocksteady903]

What do you think of the dbx 286s ?

[@benialexofficial876]

What if the audio interface has a built in compressor?? Should I use it?

[@johngreen5069]

Or just buy a DBX channel strip that has all components and properties straight to your interface.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Yeah but you can't ever change any component then!

[@chitonyc1979]

Like the dbx 286s I just bought? HELP!!!!!

[@tcsmythe8048]

would a cloudlifter be hot enough to sub for a pre-amp?

[@liljons6753]

I thought mic use unbalanced...signal...mono

[@TrueSoundTV]

MELLO JELLO no balanced connections are pretty much the only connection used in high quality audio recording, mixing and mastering. Microphones are almost Always balanced unless they are really cheap mics with attached cables and 1/4 inch connections

[@liljons6753]

@@TrueSoundTV i use a mono 1/4 from output of compressor to recorder.........