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#1
01-15-2013, 11:31 AM
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Should I consider compression/limiting my recordings?
I was wondering if I should consider using compression or a limiter on my solo acoustic guitar recordings? The Zoom H2n has them built in. Is this a bad idea?
Here's a recording I did last night for reference: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=279837 Any comments would be appreciated. 
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#2
01-15-2013, 11:33 AM
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For solo acoustic guitar recordings, no. Use after the recording if needed, not while recording.
__________________
Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above
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#3
01-15-2013, 01:44 PM
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I wouldn't use compression while recording. You could turn on the limiter, but you really shouldn't be operating in that region anyway while recording. I'd suggest you record in 24 bit mode with peak levels somewhere between -18dB and -12dB (at those levels the limiter won't be doing anything so it's just for insurance to prevent clipping just in case some abnormally loud signal comes in). After recording (during mixing) you could normalize the levels to 0dB and export at 16 bit (or whatever you want).
__________________
Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi
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#5
01-16-2013, 09:15 AM
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You are correct sir. It is the mid-side setting on the Zoom H2n.
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#6
01-16-2013, 09:30 AM
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Defiantly not! As Martin Simpson says compression is the enemy of the musician!
For solo recording it should not be necessary at all. I tend to use compression on vocals a little.
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#7
01-17-2013, 07:24 AM
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If you have a really good compressor, sure, you can use a little, but (and this is a BIG but) you have to have a very transparent compressor and you have to know how to adjust it properly.
Zoom compressors don't fit the bill. Regards, Ty Ford
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#8
01-17-2013, 11:13 AM
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Okay got it. No compression unless I have a really good one and know how to set it right, which I definitely don't. Just one less thing to worry about!
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#9
01-17-2013, 08:07 PM
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Quote:
 This is off topic for the OP but appropriate in response here. We recently had a chance to audition a Charter Oaks compressor. Wow-we. That is a seriously magical box and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to use it, albeit slightly, as a front end or post on anything thing...and perhaps everything. I truly believe this would raise the quality of my bay and I want one. It's decidedly not Zoom circuitry. On the other hand it's a wee bit costly.My response to the OP is certainly similar in nature to Ty's. I'd submit the only real issue here (as to when, how and where) to apply compression is to fully understand it, understand the parameters of the compressor being used and most importantly understand why one would or would not make a decision to use it in the first place. From there the rest is gravy.
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#10
02-06-2013, 05:42 PM
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I use compression on my guitar recordings regularly. Only on mix down though.
Live I use the compression on my Fishman Aura sparingly for shows where I am "rocking out". For fingerpicking and softer songs I use no compression at all. Vocals are whole different topic but for me vocal compression is essential for "pro" sound.
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Paul
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