[PD] tanh() or a compressor?

[Mario Mey]

Now, I am checking volumes of my looper patch. I had to raise [*~ 4] the 
volume of the mic, to get a razonable volume, compared to a song file, 
for example. But, using this looper patch, I make beatbox. So, kicks and 
snares from my mouth get in the mic. And, using a visual array to test 
it, I realize that the kicks and snares are so much higher volume than 
the vocals.

The patch has FXs with feedbacks, so, they can make signal > 1. So, at 
the end of the patch, there's [expr tanh($v1)] to to avoid that...  
tanh() is simpler than a a compressor, but it loose some sounds (I 
think). Or I should trust in tanh()?

Multiple choice:
1- Use tanh() in the input, after adc~ and before dac~.
2- Use a compressor patch in the input, after adc~ (and tanh() before dac~)
3- Use a compressor at the end of the patch, before dac~
4- Stay as it is now...

Also, I can't spend more CPU process...

What do you recommend me to use?

Thanks.