Effects loop routing

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Contributor Since: Sep 09, 2002

I wanted to ask what everyone thought of on how I'm using compression and if there's a better way to route my signal through the compressor or any signal processor for that matter.

I'm using a Behringer MX 802 that has both Pre Fader and Post Fader aux send and returns there's a special fader for each sends and returns. I'm still new to all this, so this is how I've got it rigged up right now: With the compressor inserted in the "pre fader" aux loop I turn the channel's fader to 0dB and start bringing the preamp's gains up until I'm peaking nicely around 0dB on the dB meter. This tells me I've got a nice clean and dynamic signal. Now I roll that channel's fader all the way back off to -infinty dB set that channel's Pre Fader sends AND that aux channels returns both to 0db. This now has the dB meter peaking exactly like it did with the channel's main fader at 0dB. Now I activate the compressor and tada, the peaks get clamped down.

is this right? am i anywhere close? Should I be pushing the aux send levels *over* zero and let the compressor bring them back below zero?? should I be using "post fader" auxs instead? This is particularly targeted at you dB, because I know you've used the same mixer and compressor together before. how did you set your channels up to be compressed? all comments welcome

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

May 15, 2003 06:59 am

I am not sure if I do it the "right way" but I always use the post for compression just because I like to have the control of the channel fader...I keep the fader wherever the signal dictates I should have it (usually in the neighborhood of 0) and I use the return knobs to set the output level of the final signal going to tape (or disc, or whatever).

Contributor
Since: Apr 03, 2002

May 15, 2003 11:24 am

same here db. ive got it through my aux send and returns and just use the knobs, saving my faders for channel control.

Bane of All Existence
Member
Since: Mar 27, 2003

May 15, 2003 11:40 am

well with compressors, you've usually got control over the output gain, so the aux input and aux return faders could stay at center without any problem, it seems. i always put my compressor in the post aux as well, and turn the pre aux down all the way. i always got the impression that compression exists as sort of a "finisher" to the sound, post-eq and pre-delay/reverb/etc. that notion got reinforced when i started using vegas and every track that pops up automatically gets noisegate>eq>compressor in the FX loop.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

May 15, 2003 12:46 pm

thanks for the replies. i though "post fader" meant that i was mixing both wet and dry signals together, one from the channel fader, the other with the aux return. Is this true. If so, then wouldn't "pre fader" be a totally wet signal, no uneffects sound getting through, something nessesary if i'm gating or limiting i would think. or do i have it all wrong?

Bane of All Existence
Member
Since: Mar 27, 2003

May 15, 2003 07:23 pm

check the manual for the MX802, but i was always under the impression that pre-aux was pre-EQ, and post-aux was post-EQ.

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