164: Mastering Vocal Compression: Unleashing the Power of 1176 and LA-2A Compressors
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- Опубликовано: 24 ноя 2024
- Ever wondered how to make a super compressed vocal stand out? Tune in to EP 164 of the Inside The Mix podcast, where I dive into everything from vocal compression settings to mastering the 1176 and LA-2A compressors. In this episode, I break down the secrets behind compressing vocals effectively-whether you're looking for optimal vocal compression settings, tips on how to compress vocals, or insights on using an 1176 with an LA-2A.
Unlock the secrets of mastering vocal dynamics as I take you on a journey through the world of iconic compressors-the 1176 and LA-2A. Ever wondered how to control those unruly volume peaks in your tracks? Using insights from my own 2022 release "You and I," I uncover how these legendary compressors can transform your vocal tracks from harsh to harmonious. With a deep dive into my process in Logic Pro, you'll learn the exact settings and adjustments I made on the @UniversalAudio Rev-A 1176 and @UniversalAudio LA2A compressor to achieve that perfect balance and polish.
In this episode, I'll guide you through:
Overview of 1176 and LA-2A Compressors: Exploration of these iconic compressors and their role in transforming vocal tracks by controlling dynamics and adding unique character.
Real-World Application: Insights from Marc’s process on his 2022 release, You and I, demonstrating how these compressors smoothed out vocal peaks.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough in Logic Pro: Detailed settings and adjustments on the Rev-A 1176, addressing challenges like taming loud vocal sections for a balanced, pleasant sound.
Optimizing Attack and Release Times: The importance of setting these parameters for consistent sound quality and effective gain reduction.
Exploration of 1176 Characteristics: Insight into how this compressor’s unique sound colour enhances audio tracks.
Dynamic Control Techniques: Practical tips on mastering dynamic control to enrich and harmonize vocal tracks using these legendary tools.
Join me for a session packed with hands-on techniques and insights that’ll elevate your audio production skills.
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⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️
0:01 Exploring 1176 and LA-2A Compressors
2:41 How to Set an 1176 for Vocals
8:41 How to Set an LA-2A for Vocals
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Using the same 1176 and LA-2A chain here, getting her 2,5Khz slam on the ears out of the way I put a TDR Nova before compression and notch out that horrible frequencie with the Nova dynamic EQ.. Makes life easier and less tweaking with the compression chain. Makes the mix feel more dynamic instead of compressing it to ..........TDR Nova is free and there's a paid version with side-chain.
Wise words, my friend. Thanks for sharing the tip. I'm a big fan of TDR Nova. The TDR Kotelnikov compressor and TDR Prism frequency analyser are great, too!
Manually adjusting single peaks of the waveform first (both up and down) using your ears and eyes will vastly improve the process. Both compressors have to work way to hard now. If time is limited you could use something like Waves Vocal Rider to do it automatically but manual adjustment preserves the human touch. Hopefully soon you will discover the Tube-Tech CL-1B as well. Cheers
Agreed. I describe just that at the end of the video. Thanks for highlighting the importance of using clip gain or gain automation before hitting the compressor. I'll add the CL-1B to my list, thanks for the tip.
The combo has been out for a very long time and it’s amazing with vocals, on the 1176. I would back off and hit anywhere no more than -7 or negative 8DB and on the L2 a anywhere from -3 to -4 amazing demonstration by the way.
Indeed, it has, and I slept on it for far too long 😆 I agree with your comment. On reflection, in episode post-production, the gain reduction is a touch to aggressive. I'm glad you enjoyed the demonstration 🤜🤛
Just perfect! Thanks a lot Marc for this tutorial!!!
That's great, I'm glad it's of use. Keep an eye out for a follow-up video in a couple of weeks 😁
I usually go 2A into VSC-2 so that it levels the audio before doing the faster VCA comp so it doesn't squish it too hard/too fast. This means you get less gain reduction and less pumping on the faster compressor if you do the slower levelling first. I don't really know the rationale for doing the faster compression first. Haven't found an explanation for it yet. It is a great comp combo. 👌
Thanks for sharing and agreed, it's a great combo. I use the FET compressor first to catch/tame peaks before using the slower optical compressor to smooth and "colour" the audio. Admittedly, I use clip gain to even the dynamics before hitting a compressor. But that's the great thing about audio, there's multiple ways to achieve a similar outcome.
Seen LA2 into 1176 as well, never worked for me much, was more in the common use - boxes set other way around, i.e as first a
quick FET 1176 to catch peaks, used in polite manner, followed by LA2A reducing from -3 to -7 or more dB, smoothing the stuff, bringing density to the vocal, weight or dimension, - all of this is often followed by another box or two on the vox bus to smash and squeeze the ish out of it.
Greetings, I won’t lie these are my favourite compressors and I use them on vocals for tracking and for mixing vocals
Greetings! Thanks for sharing. You're certainly not alone. It's a fantastic combo.
Great Demonstration , Thx for sharing
You're welcome, friend. I'm glad you found it useful.
Since I started working with vocals (trance music) I use Waves 1176 and L2. I'm extremly happy with them:
First I use the 1176 with -4db gain reduction, 8:1 ration and fast attack & release for catching the peaks.
Second it's getting compressed with the L2 and -7db GR and 4:1 ratio. (Obviously settings depends on material.)
(Of course there is more in the complete vocal chain, but it's a great start! 🙂
I think I used the Waves 76 version many moons ago or that might've been a dream 😄. I'm pivoting into EDM music and it's great to read your experience. Thanks for sharing!
L2 limiter? Or you mean LA2A?
@@bigheartsmolpen It is "Waves CLA-2A", emulation of the LA-2A, I guess...
For the sake of trying and not paying up front, Analog Obsession 1176 is awesome and free.
So is his LA2A...
Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely check out Analog Obsession!
The best thing is these two plug ins are now compatible with Pro Tools. Back when I first got them in 2021 while I was mixing a project they weren’t. However I took them seriously when I opened it up on another project I had running in Reaper. I really like their Pultec too.
@@lenardashton4217 that's great and 🙏 to a fellow Reaper user! What's your favourite Pultec(esque) plugin?
Best free LA2 box plug in - TLS 1295 Lea in my opinion - give it a try. Sounds really nice. Molot / Molotok free comps are absolute beasts as well. All 3 standing their own next to those at the top of the food chain!!!
I would automate the gain before sending it to the compressor.
A great idea. I mention the use of clip gain to take the load off the compressor at the end of the video 🙌
I'm in the camp that uses these two in the opposite order. I record into the real analog ones. I use the optical first at 3:1 (Limit, on an LA-2A is 10:1 actually.) Since the Optical is slower, I use it first to smooth out the signal. Then I hit the 1176 actually at 20:1 to nail down the peaks that escape the Optical. You can see it in action here: ruclips.net/video/EwLoVdAOgaA/видео.htmlsi=tZ6_x6eARr-R4d9H
Great stuff, thanks for sharing, Devon. That's the great thing about audio, there's more than one way to achieve an objective. I'm always experimenting with the order of dynamic processing.
Is the 10:1 limit referring to the hardware version? The UAD LA-2A manual quotes "When set to Limit, the ratio is approximately infinity:1. However, the compression ratios are nonlinear and frequency dependent, so these figures are not absolute" help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/19378009641748-LA-2A-Tube-Compressor-Manual
Thst waveform says one thing to me - clip gain b4 anything else .
I agree and share the same words towards the end of the video 🙌
Ah yes I stopped watching at the 11 min mark. My apologies...
@@BenDover-n7e no apologies necessary, my friend. Thanks for checking out the video!
Print that then run it through a la2a in limit mode again. You're welcome. ;) :)
Challenge accepted. Thanks for sharing :)
@MarcMatthewsProducer you're most welcome mate. Hope your channel is doing well. Thanks for the video. Also, if you ever get your hands on a real la, curious to know your thoughts. I have one and it's just gorgeous.
@personalwatching9312 Thanks, buddy, that's much appreciated. The channel is going well, slow but steady progress. I'll be sure to post my experience the next time I get my hands on a physical LA-2A. I think the last time was at Modern World Studios (Tetbury), but it was well over 10 years ago, and I could be wrong 😂
Guys like this who never used la2a with an 1176 and dont know gain automation are on youtube teaching these.
Thanks for highlighting the importance of gain automation. Toward the end of the video, at 13:51, I describe the process of using clip gain or gain automation before using the compressor.
If you use next time real vocals instead of AI, would be nice. Thanks
I would love to agree, but I can assure you that the vocals were performed and recorded by a real-life human.
@@MarcMatthewsProducer That´s interesting, it sound´s reeeally, even in the beginnin the "raw" and non compressed version, heavily digitally distorted and noisy, simillar
to AI vocals. But thanks for prooving my ears wrong.
This is bad. Use gain automation guys.
It's absolutely awful, but I do describe the use of clip gain or gain automation at 13:51 in this video.
Seems impossible to know if this was a good move or a bad one since we never got to hear it in context with the rest of the mix.