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Posted by: Antipolitik Apr 4 2008, 06:06 PM

Hi,

I record my guitar with a Digitech DF-7 with a cheap tube preamp before going to Cubase.
It sounds good but often the volume levels from chunk to for example single notes are really different.

Should I put a compressor in the chain to give the DF-7 a more even volume before recording?
Of course I can do this in Cubase with a compressor but maybe it's better to do it before recording the signal?

Guitar -> preamp -> compressor -> DF-7 -> Cubase
Guitar -> compressor -> preamp -> DF-7 -> Cubase
Guitar -> preamp -> DF-7 -> compressor -> Cubase

? Appreciate any tips on this subject. Cheers!

Posted by: Trond Vold Apr 4 2008, 06:11 PM

Depends on how good the compressor is.
If you got a good software compressor it might be just as good to record the track as effectless as you can.

But but the compressor should be first in your chain otherwise in my opinion

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 4 2008, 06:14 PM

Good question - my view would be no, do it in Cubase unless you have a really expensive compressor you like the sound of.

The reasoning is simple - once you have recorded with compression (or any effect for that matter) you can't take it off later so I always record as dry as possible, even guitar and put effects in afterwards.

A better way to approach this might be to have separate tracks for the chunking and single notes so you can treat them differently and apply different levels in the mix. If you can't do that because its part of the riff, don;t forget that overdrive and fuzz already have a compressive effect anyway, if you turn it up a little it will even the notes out for you.

Posted by: Bogdan Apr 4 2008, 10:53 PM

Well you can experiment...Try recording with compressor and with a software one (in cubase)..Record the same thing and see which sounds better (maybe you know how to setup your external compressor better or something) ..

Posted by: Antipolitik Apr 5 2008, 07:39 AM

Thanks guys.

I'll probably check out compressors when I buy a good amp. I am ampless

Later

Posted by: PanicProne Apr 6 2008, 12:12 PM

Does anyone own the BOSS CS-1 compression sustainer?
What's it like?

Posted by: Rock Apr 9 2008, 04:25 AM

I have one. It's very good, but I found it had a bit too much background noise as you turn it up so I found a mod online through Indy guitarist and did it myself. Now it is much better. I believe you can buy them already modified as well through a few reputable companies.

Posted by: PanicProne Apr 9 2008, 09:49 PM

what do you mean by too much noise? noise as in humming while switched on?

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Apr 9 2008, 10:27 PM

Well the compressor amplifies the noise in the background of the signal. I think he means teh compression adds up the noise that is not normally heard because it is uncompressed.

Posted by: PanicProne Apr 10 2008, 06:46 PM

oh, now I see. Thanks rock, for the answer. And thanks Ivan for the clarificaiton of it.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Apr 10 2008, 07:24 PM

No problem man, we're here to help