DBX 266XL Vocal Suggestions?

rvincent55

Hi Folks,
I've just purchased a new preamp and a dbx 266XL, and I was hoping to get suggestions on how to effectively gate or limit a vocal, while still getting a good quality sound.

Here's the signal chain - MXL990 mike - ART TPSII preamp - dbx 266XL comp - Tascam 2488 input.

We previously used an ART Tube PAC preamp, and with the Limit button pressed, it was pretty simple to get a decent vocal sound. When the Tube PAC decided to stop working, I decided to upgrade the gear a bit...unfortunately, the documentation that comes with both units (the ART and the dbx) leave a lot to be desired insofar as user guides...they function more as a brief reference, as if they both assume the user already knows how to properly set and use them.

My friend Al has a tremendous vocal range, and a lot of power...my goal is to capture his vocal, with all the nuances intact, but at the same time, use the dbx to effectively serve as a limiter to prevent clipping in the Tascam.

If anyone could offer any suggestions for a starting point for the dbx settings to achieve this goal, I'd be very thankful!

For samples of what we've done with the old Tube PAC, as an example of what we're after, here's the Soundclick page - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1012399&content=music

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Gadget

Compression is a very personal thing...there are so many options, and so many variables. Suggestions can be made but you really need to understand how each control works, and what exactly they do to the sound. Start here:

ftp://ftp.dbxpro.com/pub/PDFs/WhitePape ... %20101.pdf

@ compression 1o1, there you will find a couple of examples of vocal compression, and limiting.

In your recordings I didn't find anything overly dynamic, but remember, a good compressor is no match for poor mic technique. Further, a good gain structure is needed if were going to make any meaningful stab at limiting a vocal, and maintaining signal to noise at a low threshold.

Here is a good article to peruse..
http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_record_vocals.htm

and this:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/compressors.htm

A quick couple words in Google and you'll have a lot of reading, and opinions...
http://www.wikirecording.org/Guide_to_B ... ompression

Gadget

rvincent55

Hi Gadget,

Thanks very much for taking the time to have a listen and reply...I have downloaded and printed the Compression 101 White Paper, and in looking through it, I felt it addressed compression more so than limiting...particularly in the suggested settings. For example, it states the following for Vocal Limiting:

Threshold set so that the loudest sections get around -6 of reduction (usually
around 3 o’clock)
Ratio set for 6:1
OverEasy® switch engaged
The Threshold should be set so that loud sections get compressed around 6dB and
quiet passages get no compression at all.

So I took the printout to my recording desk, looked at the 266XL and realized...there are Two Threshold dials! One for the Gate/Limiter, and another for the Compressor. I'm assuming that their suggested setting speaks to the compressor, and so I've been "shooting in the dark" with the Limiter settings, primarily by speaking into the mike at as wide a range of volume as I can muster...I'm no singer, unfortunately. My goal was to try and get a baseline setting with these two devices, and then fine tune the Trim on the Tascam input when we're actually doing a take to try and keep him just under the point of clipping.

I'm trying to avoid having to "ride" the input control, much like the example cited in the beginning of the White Paper.

I'll have a look at the resources in the links you've provided...again, thanks so much for your reply!

Bob