Compression and condenser microphones
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Posted on Oct 03, 2009 05:21 am
audiophile
Member Since: Oct 03, 2009
I recently bought 2 Behringer MDX 4600's and have been experimenting with drum tones and compressing them.
Everything's just fine so far, except for when I start to work on setting up the overheads and hi-hat mics. No out of the ordinary settings on the MDX for the channels allocated to my Crash, Ride, and Hi-Hat mics, but for some reason (maybe I am completely naive, help!) I am getting zero sound. I have checked the cables, inputs, everything. They are all brand new (I've been saving for a while) and work perfectly. Changing out the microphones to dynamic mic's gets sound instantly.
I'm using 2 Audix F15's for the overheads, and an AKG100 for the Hats. I haven't even gotten to mess with my ambient mic (another AKG100) but I'm fairly sure I can except similar results.
Am I missing something? The mics work when not run through the compressor.
I really appreciate any and all help I can get on the matter. Thanks in advance, and if I left out any important details, I'll try and follow up asap. Thanks!
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cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Oct 03, 2009 07:35 am r u putting the mics directly into the compressor? it sounds like the phantom power isnt traveling to ur mics through the compressor
set ur mics up on ur mixer or device with phantom power and use the compressor as an AUX send instead.
Oct 03, 2009 11:32 am A compressor is a *LINE* level device.
Oct 03, 2009 02:38 pm Thanks for the replies. To better help understand and figure out what I can do here..
I'm running 2 Firepod interfaces to my Mac. I run 1 MDX2600 and 2 MDX 4600s. For arguments sake, I haven't gotten around to working with the inputs on the 2nd Firepod, although I do know that it does work from previous experience daisy chaining them. I run small (3m) xlr monster cables to connect the compressors outputs to the firepods inputs.
If it is a phantom power issue, what kind of alternatives to setting it up am I looking at? Anyone?
At this point I'm about to plug the overheads/hats directly into the firepod like I used to do and just go with Cubase 4's digital compression/gate tools, but seeing as I just bought all this new gear, it's kind of frustrating for it to seemingly "not" work.
Thanks again for anyone able to help or give some feedback.
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Oct 03, 2009 03:18 pm well if it is a phantom power issue, ur gonna have to find a way to get the power to ur mics and sitll have teh signal fed to the compressors, as i stated before this seems like the job of a mixer or just device that lets u route ur mic signal to and fro so u can have the mic being fed phantom power directly adn then its signal being compressed later. that is the extent of my knowledge at the moment as im not familiar with any of the equipment uve written
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 03, 2009 07:33 pm Phantom power will not travel through the compressor, and in fact could harm it.
So you need to have your condensor mics plugged directly in to your Firepod and the phantom power enabled. This will allow your condensor mics to output sound.
Add the compressor in the INSERT loop on one of your mic channels with a special insert cable (Y-cable). If your compressor is stereo, then you'll have another side of the compressor to run through the INSERT loop of another mic channel on your Firepod.
If you do use it as an AUX loop effect, you'll have to make sure that the mix is 100% wet or else you defeat the point of compressing. If any dry signal gets mixed in with the final output, you'll get the peaks and dynamic range of the original signal regardless of your compression settings. It has to be 100% wet, so the use of an INSERT loop is preferred.
Oct 04, 2009 02:07 am On top of that, a compressor IS A LINE LEVEL DEVICE. You can't plug a mic into it.
Best thing I'd suggest is to not even consider compression while tracking.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 04, 2009 06:37 am pretty hard to get the compression just right while tracking, especially if youre doing it by yourself.
you really need a dude who knows compressors to tweak it while you play it several times.
it would be good to get the absolute best outta ya pre, i can see what you mean there though..
Oct 04, 2009 08:29 am yes, like the others have said your problem is that the condenser requires phantom power, all condenser mics do...which can be found on most mixing boards and mic pre-amps....without it your mic is useless.
and i 100% agree with MM, don't compress while tracking.....epically drums......about the only thing i'm comfortable compressing while tracking is vocals.....but even then i usually don't.
