PC vocal compression/processing?

[DAS]

OK, I'm on the look out for software that will compress or process microphone audio in real-time on your Windows PC.

I have no idea whether such software exists, but essentially I'm wondering whether there are programs that you can run that simulate the radio studio boxes in the corner that process mic audio.

There are reasons for this I won't go into, but rest assured I don't want to pretend I'm Steve Wright in my bedroom or anything.

Any advice or suggestions welcome.

Danke.

[SteveL]

Process as in dynamics processor? As in compressor/gain/limiter? OtsDJ (otsdj.com) has a built-in dynamics processor, and it also allows a line in (or microphone in), which it puts through the dynamics processor.

I believe they have a downloadable 30 day trial on their website, PM me if you want it full.

If you mean compress as in save to a file and compress it with a codec, try Windows Media Encoder (microsoft.com/mediaplayer) - you can set it to save a live feed (e.g. a microphone) to a file (as well as being able to broadcast it on the internet). OtsDJ also offers a save to file utility, where you can save any output to file.

[cdd]

Last time I used OtsDJ you could only save WAV... guess it's moved on.

You probably already know this but Audition has Dynamics Processing, but as you say it's afterwards rather than real-time.

[DAS]

That program's really nice, and that's kind of what I'm after really.

I'm basically after a program that processes the microphone input to make your voice sound silky smooth - I've had a play about with OtsDJ and it kind of does that but it's all a bit odd. I'll keep playing about with it in the next 30 days...

Cheers.

[James Martin]

You also need a fucking good mic to start with. I also suggest running it through an amp which is then plugged into line in as this then allows for better quality.

[Anonymous]

That program's really nice, and that's kind of what I'm after really.

I'm basically after a program that processes the microphone input to make your voice sound silky smooth - I've had a play about with OtsDJ and it kind of does that but it's all a bit odd. I'll keep playing about with it in the next 30 days...

Cheers.

Any chance of hearing a sample of what you've managed?

As JM has said, you will need a good mic (You can get a decent one for around £120), and a mixer (for the phantom power and amp, and so you can ajust the EQ, Bass etc. before it reaches your computer.)

[DAS]

That program's really nice, and that's kind of what I'm after really.

I'm basically after a program that processes the microphone input to make your voice sound silky smooth - I've had a play about with OtsDJ and it kind of does that but it's all a bit odd. I'll keep playing about with it in the next 30 days...

Cheers.

Any chance of hearing a sample of what you've managed?

As JM has said, you will need a good mic (You can get a decent one for around £120), and a mixer (for the phantom power and amp, and so you can ajust the EQ, Bass etc. before it reaches your computer.)

I would give you an example but in the end I had to go into the studio anyway, so I didn't manage to test it out.

Cheers for the advice - I think I was looking for a cheapo, not a lot of effort option but I don't think that exists. So I'll have a look around for some proper equipment.

[Anonymous]

As a wise old studio colleague told me many years ago, when recording, if you put shit in (i.e crap microphone, levels, EQ, etc.) you'll get shit out. No matter how clever you are at audio manipulation, you'll never get the clear and crisp quality as if you had used professional equipment, and set everything up correctly.

Simply by investing a relatively small amount of money, but investing a lot of time and effort, it pays off eventually!