Re: audio compression prior to recording

Thanks for the response. I guess I did not describe the issue properly.
It is my understanding that the vast majority of professional recordings in the music industry use dynamic range compression during the recording process. For example, a vocal mic or drum mic signal will be compressed before it reaches the recording software.
Once this signal is recorded, it may be compressed again when mastering and mixing all the various tracks.
Normally this 'pre-compression' is achieved with a physical piece compression hardware. Once this compressed signal is recorded in Audition (or any other program) it can be compressed again using the Audition compression effects. In other words, once the signal is recorded you do not need the outboard hardware compressor. You can use the Audition software to compress a pre recorded signal.
My question is this. Can I compress a vocal track while it is being recorded, without the use of an outboard piece of compression hardware? Can Audition first compress, then record a live vocal track?
Thanks again