Question regarding vocal mic signal path, and compressors
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Posted on Sep 29, 2005 01:42 pm
Bryan316
Member Since: Sep 23, 2005
Okay, so for a live performance setup, I wanna rely on my Dbx 266XL to cut background noise and talking from a distance, and compressing it so I can whisper and shout at the same volume, and keep from blowing my PA to hell. But I've always wondered where the compressor should be to get the best performance. I've been going mic -> mixer -> Aux -> Compressor -> Return. I have recently understood how inserts work, and that the 266XL is already set for using insert sidechains. Is it better to use it there? Or... is it better to run mic -> compressor -> mixer? I do realise that the compressor in the channel insert would only allow that one mic to use the compressor, and any extra vocal mics wouldn't be cleaned up.
So which is the most efficient way to run it? Mic to comp to keep the mixer's gain stage safe? Aux so I can clean up more than one mic, even though I'm the only one singing? Channel insert and set that comp exactly how I need it and never have to touch it in the future?
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el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Sep 29, 2005 02:41 pm I would say that you should use Dynamic Processors on Inserts and Time Based Processing on the Auxes. Of course I really like to use Parallel Compression which would use an aux...
If you send multiple tracks to the DBX you may have trouble triggering the gate correctly. use one track per gate if you run into problems.
As far as the compressor function of the DBX You could use it on an aux to compress multiple tracks.
Oh and I can't think of a time where i've set a compressor's settings and have been able to leave it there and "forget it"... it varies with the program material, venue, etc.
