Hi,
I have found an article oin SofTube's site about double compression (2 comps in series) on vocals. Really interesting. I am using it on a vocal track (acapella female voice) this way:

- 1st comp: fast attack, fast release (Focusrite RED 3)
- 2nd comp: slowest attach, slow release (NI Vari Comp... really transparent)

My question is: if the audio (the acapella one) has been heavily processed using reverb and delay fx, double compression is useful or not?

TIA

 

You have to ask yourself why you want to compress it? Does it need it?
If it's already verb'd-delay'd chances are it already have a good dynamic.
Heavy compression now on the already effected track may sound weird,
it all depends on what you're after.
Double compression is often used, but on the clean track. Peak catching fast compression + LA2A like leveling.
There's no rule saying you must compress this or that. I felt in the must compress everything error
myself in my early days. Especially on voice if the performance is good (aka singer know how to use a mic properly) there's no need often for heavy compression, just some mild leveling maybe.

 

@copylefter

The article's author did nof refer about clean track but about cleaner compression only... so I decide to try the double compression tecnique (...it sounds spicy...). I know when use it, now. Thanks.

 

Sorry didn't meant to say you dunno when/how to. Just maybe that is not the ideal situation to try double compression on
But hey, trying never hurt, I found many tricks just experimenting on things I would never thought to be working *yes*

 

What I like to do is to just knock off a little bit of the peaks with the first compressor and smooth a little further with the second, and with this technique it seems to me to compress a bit less conspicuously to my ear. I like that. And yes, to me too, not all vocal tracks need gobs of compression. It is a personal taste thing.

 

The more compressor in use, more neutral must be the settings.
Sometimes I use in line 3 compressors ( first hardwarware in record) and the last always Vertigo vsc2 , amaaaaaazing compressor

 

I use 8 compressors on a vocal. When I'm benchmarking. People are too obsessed with compressors and limiters these days IMO. Just use some here and there and don't be pushy. Small steps go a long way. Make a dynamic and nice sounding mix, it'll sound nice even when you put a limiter on it. A great mix is born really gradually.