A compressor - is it really needed?

[lucky_groom]

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

[WyethDigital]

People are all about telling you what you need to buy, when in reality, it's what they would like to buy!

The reason people use a external compressor is because being independent from the computer, it is generally more reliable, and the settings stay the same (unless you change them).

Fact is, you don't need a compressor. By using one, you sound more like the nice voices on the pro radio shows.

I do a video podcast, so some would argue that because video distracts from sound, I don't need to worry about my audio, but I disagree. I work hard at setting my levels correctly, cleaning up noise, etc. I have never used a compressor for our podcast, and I've not heard any complaints about our audio -- in fact, I think ours is one of the best sounding video podcasts out there.

Eric

[ElNacho]

external compressor=no clipping

[RobOnt]

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

Normalizing and compression are different... Normalizing looks for the highest peak and then adjusts the whole clip based on that. Compression/limiting evens everything out to an even level. I compress our audio and then normalize that... External compression isn't really necessary, BUT it does make life a lot easier because like someone else mentions it would prevent clipping in the source, which doing it afterwards doesn't...

now... get buying boyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee ;-)

[WyethDigital]

Yes, but you don't need a compressor for podcasting. Does it sound better? Yes. Absolutely. If you're doing a rant-into-the-mic show, it would hugely benefit you! If you're doing something less bombastic, then you don't need one. Just watch your levels (keep everything below the red).

If your listeners are telling you that you need a compressor, there might be something to it: They know what kind of sound they're hearing from you, and if you're clipping a lot or otherwise sounding to loud or "bright," then consider buying one. But if someone is just saying how killer it would be if you had one in your set up, then take it for what you feel it's worth.

Eric

[ElNacho]

podcasting absolute necessities:
media file to distribute. method of distribution via rss feed. the end.

[Dr. Trey]

You don't NEED a compressor. I use one, but it's not actually needed. Just set your levels low enough not to clip going in (and really, if you do clip, just tell your listeners to deal with it.) Then, if you don't want to buy a compressor to insert, just ride the faders. I'm not sure what is out there as far as free compressors go, but i'd bet you could find a few.

[WyethDigital]

podcasting absolute necessities:
media file to distribute. method of distribution via rss feed. the end.
+ A computer, or someone with a computer to create or transcode said media file.

[Dr. Trey]

forgot to mention: external compressor does not equal no clipping and compression doesn't always make things sound better. In fact if i can avoid using compression, or maybe i should say i would use only as much compression as a need to use. If you find yourself changing the volume settings as you're listening back to your podcast you may want to alter the dynamics in some way.

[ElNacho]

nah nah nah! if you can distrubute a media file with an rss feed, you dont need anything else! while a computer is the most common, it is definitely not neccesary. plenty of "phone-casting" options exist. u call up, talk, and it stix it in yer feed for ye.

[pwfenton]

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

I haven't heard your show yet so I don't know what you normally do. Compression is most valuable when you are trying to make one thing (your voice in this case) stand out in a mix, If you are not generally mixing your voice with music or ambient sound... then a more natural sound (no compression) will be more pleasing to the listener.

I use compression sometimes, but I try to avoid it... because natural sound is way more attractive.

[lucky_groom]

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

Normalizing and compression are different... Normalizing looks for the highest peak and then adjusts the whole clip based on that. Compression/limiting evens everything out to an even level. I compress our audio and then normalize that... External compression isn't really necessary, BUT it does make life a lot easier because like someone else mentions it would prevent clipping in the source, which doing it afterwards doesn't...

now... get buying boyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee ;-)

Do I know you?

Off to do a show right after the Cavs beat the Pistons!

Talk to you later bro!

[pwfenton]

I just listened to your latest show. There is an enormous amount of background noise... just a constant woosh. No way to tell what is causing that. The male voice and the female voice sound very separate, and the male voice sounds like it has a better mic, than the female voice.

Not much in the way of mixing... when you played Letterman, and talked at the same time I couldn't understand either.

I'm guessing you mix live. I think you would do better if you could record live onto separate tracks and them mix later while monitoring over the speakers.

What kind of equipment do you use?

[lucky_groom]

You listened to show 10? I sincerly apologize. That could have been the worst show I've done since show 1 in terms of content.

That was our first show with new mics and a new mixer. The mics are just some more generic dynamic studio mics and the mixer is a Behringer MXB1002.

Your the first person I've heard with a complaint about background noise. The older shows had a pretty bad hiss.

The mics are the same so any difference in sound may just be due to how far we were from them.

Thanks for the feedback.

[WyethDigital]

nah nah nah! if you can distrubute a media file with an rss feed, you dont need anything else! while a computer is the most common, it is definitely not neccesary. plenty of "phone-casting" options exist. u call up, talk, and it stix it in yer feed for ye.
Right, but the point is, it requires one more step than just media file, and RSS. You need an interface to get it there :)

Eric

[Steve Pinder]

I know I am late on this thread, but I have been working with the same issues.
I use an on board compressor only on mix down, because I need the initial recording to be as natural as I can get it. Once the recording is done, I can adjust what I need. If you record with it, then whatever you have is it. If we are in an arena I turn the record levels down a little, so I don't peak, and then compress and limit later.

Check out my last show, and tell me what you think.
www.karatekast.com/mp3/KK-2006-06-21.mp3

Steve Pinder

[haltse]

I'm even later on this thread:)

nah nah nah! if you can distrubute a media file with an rss feed, you dont need anything else! while a computer is the most common, it is definitely not neccesary. plenty of "phone-casting" options exist. u call up, talk, and it stix it in yer feed for ye.

Yes and I'm sure their sign up by phone interfaces are really easy. Seriously how much aural abuse are listeners meant to take? There's comments akin to "only if you want to sound professional" and "let the listener's deal with it" some items are not just "tech" envy and nearly everyone that I've demonstrated a cheap , and I do mean cheap *** compressor to, has been able to recognise the benefit of having one or by using one in real time on their recording software should it support it. Maybe the question should be if you had one available for free why shouldn't you use it?

[X Pat Radio]

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

Is it needed? No!

I use one, specificaly a dbx 166XL. The best feature of it is the noise gate. It takes away a lot of background noise. I only use it on voice, not for anyother audio.

So if you are loooking at a compressor, make sure you get one with a noise gate.

[Skell DM Cob #37]

I purchased a compressor/limiter with a built in gate but I'll be ****ed if I can figure out how to hook the **** thing up even after reading the manual. :cry:

[X Pat Radio]

I purchased a compressor/limiter with a built in gate but I'll be d*mn if I can figure out how to hook the d*mn thing up even after reading the manual. :cry:

Its not that hard to get it hooked up. What issues are you having?

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

From all the questions I see flying around about compressors, I would have to say that it's the most misunderstood piece of equipment! :-)

[Skell DM Cob #37]

I have the stereo out going to the inputs of the two channels of the compressor. No sound apparently comes out of the compressor. I know it is the compressor because if you take stereo out from the mixer to the speakers sound comes out.

Now the compressor is working somewhat because the level lights show some sound is in there because the lights light up when I speak into the microphone.

The mixer is a NADY, the compressor is a NADY. It has 1/4 inch jacks for input and output and two channels.

All of the knobs are set straight up.

http://www.planetdj.com/images/CL-5000.jpg

[X Pat Radio]

I can tell you how I have my compressor setup, which maybe different on your setup (since I don't know it in detail).

I use a Mackie 1402 VLZ mixer and a dbx 166XL compressor.

I run an insert cable from the mixer to the compressor, on the microphones insert connection. The settings on my compressor are: (Expander/Gate) Threashold: adjusted for the room noise, Release: Fast. Compressor section: Threshold -10db, Ratio 4:1, Attack: Fast, Release: Fast, Output Gain +10db, Peak Limiter +6db

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

I have the stereo out going to the inputs of the two channels of the compressor. No sound apparently comes out of the compressor. I know it is the compressor because if you take stereo out from the mixer to the speakers sound comes out.

Now the compressor is working somewhat because the level lights show some sound is in there because the lights light up when I speak into the microphone.

The mixer is a NADY, the compressor is a NADY. It has 1/4 inch jacks for input and output and two channels.

All of the knobs are set straight up.

http://www.planetdj.com/images/CL-5000.jpg

It isn't the compressor, I don't think. As you mention yourself, it is working because from the LED's you can see it's receiving a signal. The sereo out from the mixer is going to the inputs of the compressor (make sure you are not accidentally using the side chains here). The outs of the compressor, where are they going?? It has got to be a problem with your signal chain....

[Skell DM Cob #37]

Okay, what are the side chains? If by that you mean the 1/4" rca jack inputs and outputs then guilty, that's what I'm using, I don't have xlr cables.
Please don't tell me I have to go back to Radio Sh :evil: nack!

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

Okay, what are the side chains? If by that you mean the 1/4" rca jack inputs and outputs then guilty, that's what I'm using, I don't have xlr cables.
Please don't tell me I have to go back to Radio Sh :evil: nack!

According to that compressors manual it doesn't have 1/4" jacks for the output. Only XLR. So yeah I am assuming the jacks that are not input are the side chains, however (I don't have the manual in front of me at the moment -- I closed that browser window) I believe Nady calls that something else....

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

Nady calls it a "Detector Loop Insert", those are not outputs. Looks like you will have to go back to the store indeed...

[Skell DM Cob #37]

You are correct SWB. Thanks.

So I have the thing connected but I've got sound from the left side only and when the gate turns on their is a rapid clicking sound, what the hell is that? I've been adjusting knobs and switchs but I've yet to find the sweet spot.

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

Send me a PM and mybe include your MSN or Skype username. Then we can just finalize it in a chat!

[Shawn]

I record my podcast with Garageband. I use individual tracks for the microphones and then another individual track for the music and sound effects. I compress these three tracks as needed, and then use the AU Dynamics Processor on the master track. This allows the final show to be as loud as possible without killing the dynamics of the audio. it should also be noted that good micsmanship is another way to avoid clipping.

[BridgeHands]

I second the motion of Lucky_Groom. For most podcaster, using a noise gate limiter is a very good idea (no more gasps for me, computer fan noise, etc.) However, most podcasters don't properly use compressors (myself included) - audio experts say it takes them years to get it all right. So I tend to go light on compression, particularly for the trained ear it's a disconcerting sound and you definitely lose fidelity. In fact, professional audio engineers in the movies would gag at the thought of compression on the input (and even hate it in post-production). But the reality is, podcasters often aren't as careful as they should be with level adjustment and often are faced with various constraints - thus, the compressor has a place. The arguements would go back and forth whether compression should be done in the front-end or post-production.

In summary, I recommend you focus on noise gating right out of the mic before your mixer. I use a dbx266XL - not quite prosumer but it's okay for the average podcaster.

Warm Regards, Michael

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

Is it needed? No!

I use one, specificaly a dbx 166XL. The best feature of it is the noise gate. It takes away a lot of background noise. I only use it on voice, not for anyother audio.

So if you are loooking at a compressor, make sure you get one with a noise gate.

[X Pat Radio]

They may gag, but then they have sound studios.

If you want help and can't figure it out, do what I did and take a lesson on how to use it.

I second the motion of Lucky_Groom. For most podcaster, using a noise gate limiter is a very good idea (no more gasps for me, computer fan noise, etc.) However, most podcasters don't properly use compressors (myself included) - audio experts say it takes them years to get it all right. So I tend to go light on compression, particularly for the trained ear it's a disconcerting sound and you definitely lose fidelity. In fact, professional audio engineers in the movies would gag at the thought of compression on the input (and even hate it in post-production). But the reality is, podcasters often aren't as careful as they should be with level adjustment and often are faced with various constraints - thus, the compressor has a place. The arguements would go back and forth whether compression should be done in the front-end or post-production.

In summary, I recommend you focus on noise gating right out of the mic before your mixer. I use a dbx266XL - not quite prosumer but it's okay for the average podcaster.

Warm Regards, Michael

The more equipment I buy, the more I'm told I need.

Can I get by using post recording compression in Audacity or normalizing. Right now I don't do either and I think things sound (and I've been told they sound) pretty good.

Is it needed? No!

I use one, specificaly a dbx 166XL. The best feature of it is the noise gate. It takes away a lot of background noise. I only use it on voice, not for anyother audio.

So if you are loooking at a compressor, make sure you get one with a noise gate.

[philrossimusic]

Either way - the more toys the merrier :) I'm actually planning on picking up a compressor as my next studio upgrade. But I am going to get some tutoring in the ways of the compressor before I implement it. I've got basic understanding of software based compression, but the knob-tweaking shall be a new experience.

[X Pat Radio]

Either way - the more toys the merrier :) I'm actually planning on picking up a compressor as my next studio upgrade. But I am going to get some tutoring in the ways of the compressor before I implement it. I've got basic understanding of software based compression, but the knob-tweaking shall be a new experience.

Might also want to look at a channel strip. I think dbx makes one for $199

[Craig]

The two primary advantages of an external compressor/limiter are:

1. You get immediate feedback on compression effects while you're recording without the delay you get from monitoring a software compressor.
2. You don't have to worry about the input signal being clipped going into the computer.

I'll have an interview with Paul Figgiani from GigaVox and The Point podcast coming up in Behind the Scenes #32 in which he explains why an external compressor should be the first upgrade a podcaster makes when trying to improve the quality of their sound.

Craig

[philrossimusic]

Craig - that sounds awesome. Can't wait to hear it.

X Pat - I'm running pro tools with the Mbox, so I don't really have need for a channel strip. However, I am considering picking up the Presonus blue tube two channel preamp at some point. :)

[X Pat Radio]

Craig - that sounds awesome. Can't wait to hear it.

X Pat - I'm running pro tools with the Mbox, so I don't really have need for a channel strip. However, I am considering picking up the Presonus blue tube two channel preamp at some point. :)

These two are nice:
http://www.uaudio.com/products/analog/SOLO610/index.html
http://www.uaudio.com/products/analog/SOLO110/index.html

If you have the budget

[Ulee]

is a processor able to bring up the db level of skype calls?

[X Pat Radio]

is a processor able to bring up the db level of skype calls?

Maybe, I'd just bring up the level on the mixer.

[macuser209]

I'm planning to get a DBX 266XL. I use a Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro mixer. If i use an insert cable, would that work for all the tracks or just one or two vocal tracks?

Thanks