Dynamics & Effects Presets on Yamaha Digital Mixer
Home > Home Recording Forum > Live Sound Reinforcement > Dynamics & Effects Presets on Yamaha Digital Mixer
Posted on Sep 15, 2009 07:55 pm
Doug Babbitt
Sound as good as you play
Member Since: Dec 23, 2008
Being a newb to the digital world, I'm wondering what to do for baseline dynamics and effects settings for various channels. I'm thinking my options are:
1 - Start with no dynamics or effects and apply custom settings as circumstances dictate. My main concern with this approach is the fact that I'm only one year into this hobby and still on a very steep learning curve.
2 - Apply the dynamics and/or effects presets on the board that best match the situation and tweak from there. I'm leaning in this direction, as I expect it will set the various parameters in the neighborhood.
I think the band is going to let me experiment a bit during rehearsals, so I'm hoping to be good to go in a few weeks.
The power of a digital console is really mind blowing. With good last generation units available for $500 or so, I don't know how you can go wrong.
Thoughts!
[ Back to Top ]
Sep 15, 2009 08:30 pm Doug, play with it all!
Use the dynamics on all of the channels that you think that you are going to need it for.
Yamaha is very good about having enough DSP on board so that you can't run out while up and running.
I will say that there comps and gates are not sensitive at all. Just by doing minor moves really doesn't seem to make any difference at all. You have to dig into them a little.
But, they do sound great! Have fun! Smack the channels around a little with the DSP!
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Sep 15, 2009 09:05 pm The settings would be relatively the same settings as with an analogue module... all dictated by the material at hand. Don't let the 'digitalness' of your equipment dictate your settings.
[quote]With good last generation units available for $500 or so, I don't know how you can go wrong.
[/quote]
heh... About the only way one could 'go wrong' is to jump into the perverbial 'deep-end of the pool', and end up being lost, overwhelmed, or even discouraged at the oversimplyfied-complexities of a digital counsole. A mistake I made, myself once, but grew into it after a while. It is relatively all the same afterall(digital/analogue, settins-wise)... just a case of getting to understand the 'whys' now that you have the 'hows'.
That's very cool that the band will let you experiment, because that's just what you need to do with new equipment... get some hands on exposure. Prior to that though, you may want to do some experiments alone to find out what 'whys' will apply to your bands situation... take some time to run tracks through it, one at a time... applying different settings of various processes. This may help you to get familliar with your gear, and avoid things like... Ooohhhhh... I don'no...
Overcompressiing, then boosting your guitar tracks in the mud-zone... or, cutting the silibance out of your lead-vocalists 80wpm onslaught, or even spiking your monitor mix by pushing the wrong button, and causing a feedback loop that will surely piss-off anyone with cans on.(Went!)
So yeah... nice board... don't hurt yourself. : )
Doug BabbittSound as good as you playMember
Since: Dec 23, 2008
Sep 15, 2009 09:06 pm Thanks Rob.
It was your advice that finally caused me to make the move to digital.
I know what you mean about sensitivity on the comps and gates. I've played with them a bit and found that I needed to be more aggressive than I was with outboard processors. I was afraid my ears were deceiving me.
Doug BabbittSound as good as you playMember
Since: Dec 23, 2008
Sep 15, 2009 09:18 pm Thank you for the words of wisdom Hue. You'll be happy to know that I have a healthy fear of the beast. It reminds me of when I bought my first motorcycle 6 years ago. All that power can get you in trouble fast and it's best if you don't learn the hard way.
Regarding practice ..... my 14-year old son is a budding electric guitar player and vocalist, so I'm practicing with him before practicing with the band. We're learning together, so we're pretty forgiving of each other's shortcomings. Plus, mom and dad are his source of gear, so he's got to play it cool.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 15, 2009 09:59 pm Doug, as stated by both, experiment to your hearts content while in rehearsal for sure. But your second choice is the best for starting off. It will give you and idea of what they think it should be, and then you simply tweak from there.
Like Rob said. Smack the beast around a bit. And for the most part, doing it during rehearsal won't mess anyone up.
Doug BabbittSound as good as you playMember
Since: Dec 23, 2008
Sep 15, 2009 10:31 pm Thanks for the answer Noize. That was my inclination.
I'm thinking:
1) Start with most suitable presets.
2 - 100) Listen, listen, listen ....
101) Adjust individual parameters incrementally to address any perceived deficits.
102 -200) Listen, listen, listen ....
201) Go home.
Again, it reminds me of motorcycles. Just substitute ride, ride, ride .....
