Controlling Vocal Levels Using Compression

I know that a lot of people use various ways to record their vocals as well as use various microphones. But, this is something that I have learned a long time ago to control vocals in a mix...

YOU HAVE TO USE COMPRESSION!

If you don't know what that is then it's time to get on board. A compressor squashes down or quiets the vocals based on a ratio. For example, a 3:1 ratio means that for every 3 decibels the signal goes pass the set threshold, the compressor compresses the signal by 1 decibel. What this does is control fluctuations in the recording. The higher the ratio, the more compression is applied.

What I use in my studio is an Alesis 3630 Compressor Limiter with Gate (pictured above). I use a compression ratio of 10:1 to 15:1 depending on the artist. This gives me a good strong vocal that is under control and fits well in a mix. I also set my threshold at -20 decibels. Sometimes a little higher if I have a very hard time controlling the vocals with compression alone.

Experiment with compression. But, it's definitely a must if you want your vocals to sound strong. The same guidelines can be applied for live events such as presentations and performances. I will touch on the subject of how to use a gate in an upcoming post.