When I use compression the bass frequencies seem to be boosted too much in relation to the other sounds. Also, the kick drum sounds really artificial to me. I guess I should play around more with the settings. Maybe I should experiment more with a limiter and raise the overall levels because I don't want that sound I get in the lows when using the compressor.
In a live setting, the bass frequencies are frequently at higher spl's than the rest of the frequency range. Thus, adding compression will tend to 'fatten' the low end in the mix a bit with a typical live recording. To address this, I typically add a high-pass filter somwhere between 40-80hz with a ParaEQ plug-in - post-compression - to roll off the excess of the low-low end.
Aside from that, there ought to also be a multi-band compressor plug-in in Protools which you could use to compress the dynamics of specific frequency ranges without affecting others.
I tried different settings with the compressor and now I don't like the sound of the hi-hats.
I think lately my ears are even more sensitive than usual.
I will look for a multi-band compressor, try some more eq, and I will do some more research on the waves plugins.
It's frustrating when it all sounds good except the louder sounds have too much punch.
I like the preamp but maybe I will try more gain on the recorder and less from the pre and see how that sounds.
I would imagine worse but I may give it a try.
First, I think I will get a new cable to go from the preamp to the recorder.
I am just using one I got at radio shack that I think is intended for ipods.
I won't go overboard on spending a whole lot of $ on this, but it can't hurt the situation.
Thanks for the inpu+T's. I'm still open to any other ideas if anyone else has any.