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-- good to use compressor on a mix?

Posted by plp on Feb-06-2011 07:11:

good to use compressor on a mix?

I just got into djing, bought a Numark Mixdeck (no$$ for pioneer)... recorded a mix live using xlr cable (have m-audio firewire 410 soundcard). Im using Cubase as the daw, as I have somewhat experience with it. Basically I want to know how to make the mix sound "softer" or smoother I guess. I tried using the compressor plugin but I'm not sure if I need that or something else. I'm trying to get professional sounding mix like tiesto's clublife, and by that I dont mean song selection etc, I'm talking about the actual sound itself. In general terms, what vst plugins or effects are essential for mastering a mix that you recorded live?

Posted by Polt on Feb-06-2011 07:14:

The trick is to get as good of a recording as you can to start with. Make sure that you're not distorting and that your tracks are kept at the same general loudness level throughout the mix. After you've got your mix recorded, you can add some compression if you want. The key is to not over do it. Using some light compression will even out the overall volume. The compressor in your DAW should be fine.

Posted by plp on Feb-07-2011 22:53:

Do you guys record your mixes using rca output or xlr? Whats better?

Posted by Zak McKracken on Feb-07-2011 23:00:

XLR is balanced and can help the sound if the rest of the chain is balanced too. if not theres not much difference so you might just as well use the XLR for good practice.

Posted by Brandt Slater on Feb-08-2011 23:40:

quote:
Originally posted by plp
Do you guys record your mixes using rca output or xlr? Whats better?

XLR. Eliminates unwanted noises which are associated with unbalanced RCA. But as Ken pointed out, your entire chain should be balanced too.

In a dj mix get good levels and try to stay as close to that level as possible. Once done, if there's any majore spikes within the transitions, then a compressor/limiter will help smooth those out a bit.

Posted by ambient_chris on Feb-10-2011 15:55:

http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials...ering-a-dj-set/

Posted by plp on Feb-11-2011 17:55:

quote:
Originally posted by ambient_chris
http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials...ering-a-dj-set/

thank you!