#210: Should You Record With Compression or Wait Until Mixing?

Should you record vocals with compression or save it for mixing? It’s one of the most debated questions in music production, and in this episode of Inside The Mix, we break it down with practical advice for producers at every level.

Guest Tim Benson shares why he often tracked vocals with hardware compressors in the studio, not just for sound quality, but because hearing compressed vocals in headphones helped singers perform with more confidence and precision. We discuss how compression during tracking can shape performances, highlighting the psychological and creative benefits that go far beyond managing peaks.

But what if you don’t want to commit compression to your recording? Thanks to modern workflows, you can now monitor with plugin compression while recording a clean signal, giving vocalists the polished sound they crave without sacrificing flexibility at mixdown.

We also compare compression across instruments, exploring why it’s often essential for bass but risky for acoustic guitars. Plus, discover why microphone technique, like managing distance and consistency, may solve more vocal problems than compression ever could.

Whether you’re asking “Should I record with compression on the way in?” or wondering which instruments benefit most, this episode gives you the clarity to make smarter tracking decisions.

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