Good mic or good compression?

[peterr]

I can only afford to get one of the two cheap and one top of the line. Would it be better to have a nice microphone going through a cheap compressor or a nice compressor on a ksm27, for example? For compressors, I'm considering a distressor or 1176 and for mics i'd probably get a u87.

[mjau]

I suppose it'd really depend on what you're after, sonically. A 57 mangled through a distressor might be just the thing for Stooges-like vocals or guitars, but if you're after a more pristine sound, I'd get the 87 and an RNC.

[JonJ1176]

forget the compressors. if you don't have a solid signal to work with, a compressor won't make it any better.

It is wiser to focus you funds on great preamps and decent mics. Preamps are the backbone to your recording signal, and will increase the quality of you signal chain. I'm sure most would agree.

An API 512c is a good place to start. $750ish.

Depending on what your looking for, there are many great mid-priced mics out there. I am not too fond of the KSM's. look around and read reviews. if you have the chance, test gear out to decide for yourself. Try by A/B'ing against each other.

[peterr]

yeah i see what you're saying.. I'm going for an Ethan Johns kind of sound (like Ryan Adams Heartbreaker or that new Ray Lamontagne album). so, i'll probably go with the latter.

[mjau]

Yeah, preamps of course will make a huge difference. Putting crap through a Distressor is gonna leave you with distressed crap (ok, bad, sorry). What are you using for pre's?

[peterr]

i just have a focusrite penta..

[Scodiddly]

Preamps are the backbone to your recording signal, and will increase the quality of you signal chain. I'm sure most would agree.

Not me. Preamps are important, but pretty much all of the ones out there are good enough for most people. Microphones are the most important part of the signal chain, aside from the talent.

[mjau]

Scodiddly,

Are you in Norway permanently?

[Scodiddly]

Scodiddly,

Are you in Norway permanently?

Nope, just a couple months. Then it's back to Michigan.

[Rigsby]

Yep, mics for all the above reasons and also that you can get the sound you really want and then either hire compressors for mixing or mix in a different studio that has the gear you want/need, but as has been said, if the tracks aren't great in the first place then compressors aren't going to really help you out.

The U87 is a beautiful mic, you're going to get some really lovely sounds with that. I'm jealous.