Connection of compressor to mixer
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Posted on Aug 19, 2003 09:04 pm
AndrewB
Member Since: Feb 11, 2003
I have a Behringer mx602a and have borrowed a compressor for a few weeks. I have the compressor connected thru the aux send and return of the mixer. However, I'm not sure that the compressor is processing 100% of the signal. There is no track insert on these mixers. The aux knobs range from -inf to +15. I currently have it set to 0 (12 o'clock). Thanks for any advice.
Andrew
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MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Aug 19, 2003 09:48 pm yeah i have a problem with this too. the aux things only blend the compressed signal with the original, which is really distracting. all i do now when i use my compressor is put it after the main outs, and make sure not to turn the main mix volume knob past 9 o'clock (where it overloads the line tolerance of my compressor).
Aug 20, 2003 11:11 am Yeah, put it out the mains. That's what I do. (It's much easier to work with that way too.)
Aug 20, 2003 01:49 pm my mx802 has the option of either pre fader OR post fader send. AUX 1 is prefader so I use that for the compressor. I turn the channel's fader all the way down, send it to the AUX 1 instead and adjust the AUX retrun accordingly. now the signal is 100% wet
i'd like to hear more about pre and post fader sends too. any experts wanna offer their advice??
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Aug 20, 2003 02:26 pm AndrewB, I have the exact same situation occuring, I run my compressor through the aux send/return of my mx602a... you mean this whole time it was just blending the processed signal with the original? and the wet/dry mix is controlled by the aux knobs? eek... well, I'm no recording engineer, I just do it to record my music. I'll have to dblcheck what setting the aux knob is on, and maybe try it again through the mains....
Aug 20, 2003 08:55 pm It's not as if you can't bypass the compressor with the push of a button, so putting it out the mains just seems to make more sense anyways. You can only use 2 tracks of it in the first place, so you're really mixing things up if you start to turn up the auxes on a bunch of tracks. It just gets pretty confusing. With reverb and effects, the auxes are a good way to do it, though.
Aug 20, 2003 10:02 pm Let me summarise (hopefully),
mic > mixer > compressor (via main outs) > sound card
I think this makes sense, however it means if any effect is placed in the aux loop (ie reverb) they will be treated by the compressor. This does funny things to the reverb I think. Maybe that's just the limitation of getting a small mixer!
Anyway I'm still trying to comprehend the -10 +4 thread!
Thanks
Andrew
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Aug 20, 2003 10:16 pm why not put the reverb after the compressor?
SonicoMember
Since: Apr 19, 2002
Aug 21, 2003 10:20 am I think the best way of patching the compressor with these mixers is via the aux send (pre-fader).
1.- Send the signal to the aux send pre-fader and turn off the channel fader.
2.- Connect the aux send to the compressor's in and compressor's out to another mixer's channel.
3.- Now you can control the compressed signal with the second channel's fader.
It's like having an insert on your mixer.
4.- If you are used to record dry while monitoring with reverb, you can send the new channel to the other aux (connected to a reverb unit) but this time post-fader and that's it.
Hope this help!!
Aug 25, 2003 09:04 pm How do you set the aux sends pre-fader? According to the manual the mx602 aux is post-fader.
Aug 25, 2003 10:46 pm If the mixer doesn't have a switch, then it isn't really possible-- Unless you're good at soldering. I know that my Behringer came with some instruction on how to go about doing that if you're daring.
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Aug 25, 2003 11:16 pm yeah i just did that operation with the MX802A. i just took a look at the MX602A manual, and it doesn't say that it has the same modification. i think you might be skrood. sorry dude.
also to clarify sonico's post about using the aux as an insert, it would be a good idea to have the aux that the signal is coming from TOTALLY OFF on the channel that it is going to. otherwise, that's one wicked feedback loop.
Sep 05, 2003 10:14 am yo Minkus! how did it turn out? what can you tell me about the operation? How is the patient feeling?
I'm planning on opening up my Behringer and doing the same thing, but I think I want to wire in a toggle switch so that I can select between pre and post fader ;O) just in case
any tips or things to watch out for would be appreciated -j
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Sep 05, 2003 11:34 am it works perfectly. the only thing that seems like it could really be dangerous is when you have to grind away the old connection. just gotta be delicate. i know you're good for it.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Sep 05, 2003 01:16 pm jamies the kink of frankenstein wiring!
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Sep 05, 2003 03:42 pm also jamie, you can always solder it right back to normal operation.
Sep 05, 2003 06:07 pm true that..
guess i better test my therories with the device opened up before i actuall commit to drilling a hole in the face. i think i'm going to put a tiny sub-mini SPST toggle switch on the front face near the Behringer logo (provided the space inside allows)
