mic compression

[sorridsky]

should i compress the vocals/instrument recording from my mics through a seperate compressor before they are recorded onto the hard-drive of my computer... or just record it dry and add it (software compressor) once its recorded?

 

[RobinH]

Only use a compressor for recording if you need to flaten out the dynamic levels to go to tape ( a trumpet is a good example of an instrument that requires this ) , or if the sound source has a tendency to overload your inputs and distort or clip.

Once you have done the compression it is impossible to undo it so for maximum choice you should leave all this to mix down.