If you dont have a compressor, you'll clip your interface. Thats not such a problem if its mild, it adds warmth I find I can avoid it by just turning the mic down a little, although I do have a digidesign mbox so I'm probably dealing with fairly hi quality equipment, depending on what you have, turning down the signal might raise up the noisefloot too much. just try.

Hardware compression is before recording, so you can capture a hotter signal. + Some of the compressors have tubes that add additional warmth.

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Yes, you put a compressor on the mic to prevent clipping.

The problem with simply turning the volume down or standing further away is that you'll end up with a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). More hiss, more hum, etc. You want to record at the highest possible volume but you don't want it to clip. Hence, a compressor.

Best if your compressor has more than one range; that way you can put some light compression on the "expected" decibel range and heavier compression near the clipping point.

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quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut Yes, you put a compressor on the mic to prevent clipping. The problem with simply turning the volume down or standing further away is that you'll end up with a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). More hiss, more hum, etc. You want to record at the highest possible volume but you don't want it to clip. Hence, a compressor. Best if your compressor has more than one range; that way you can put some light compression on the "expected" decibel range and heavier compression near the clipping point.

Thats what I meant as well, But if you have higher quality equipment, wouldnt that mean you get a lower SNR at low input volumes? Am I right in saying this? Or is it more to do with acoustic backround noise (as opposed to electronic interference on the lines etc)?

Sure, you'll get a better SNR with better equipment. But your SNR still degrades as you lower the volume, no matter what equipment you're using. As you mentioned yourself, you have to take into account ambient noise, line noise, etc.

You have to keep in mind that the output from a microphone is very, very low. That's why you have "phantom power" preamps - a regular amp would drown it out in hum. A compressor just helps kill off whatever transients might otherwise cause the signal to clip.

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thanks for the replies, helped out quite a bit
although i got the compressor for the greater SNRs and hotter signals, all ive noticed is that it has made the thingy less bouncy, which im pretty happy about thanks again

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