Double Compressors In An Effect Chain

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Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member Since: Dec 05, 2004

Okay On My Aux Sends On My Mixer It Goes

Mixer>>Autocom 1600>>Eq>>Eexciter>>Mixer

Would it be better to get another
compressor, and put it after the Exciter...So it would go like this..


Mixer>>Autocom 1600>>Eq>>Eexciter>>Autocom 1400>>Mixer

Or is that dumb. cuz some on told me to do this..

I personally think, its kind of dumb, since the signal is already compressed...

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Member
Since: Jan 08, 2003


Jan 01, 2005 04:01 am

Doesn't stay compressed however, after it's been through the Eq and the Exciter... Now, here's something important though, what part of the mixer is it coming out of and going back into?

W.

Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2004


Jan 01, 2005 11:20 am

Aux Sends and Aux return...

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2003


Jan 01, 2005 02:17 pm

Using compression on an Aux send? Isn't that a bit redundant?

Basically, it won't stay compressed anyways, so no point in putting it in last in the chain, it'd be defeated by the fact that the original track will be mixed in at the end of the bus.

W.

Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2004


Jan 01, 2005 06:14 pm

Waldo, explain what you mean, about aux sends & etc...

Member
Since: Jan 08, 2003


Jan 02, 2005 07:18 am

Okay, well obviously each input/output on a mixer has a different name for a reason, because they behave differently.

How you hook up each individual device to the mixer depends on the results you want.

Now, an Aux Send/Receive pair is typically used for MIXING effects with the original tracks. Say, a touch of reverb overtop of the existing vocals run through a track. It does not REPLACE the signal as an Insert would, so you will hear BOTH the 'affected' mix as well as the original track. (easy way to think about it if you can understand the language is that an Insert(ed) device is in series, an Aux device is parallel.)

So, basically, it's going to entirely depend on what you are trying to achieve, what the 'proper' way to hook it up would be.

If the intention of the final compressor is to limit a hot signal coming out of the last effect in the chain, then by all means, it will help. However, most effects have variable output levels, and it would be better to limit it at that stage, rather than throwing in another outboard unit to do so. Also, if the original signal is hotter than the final output, the compressor would be useless, as the hot signal would be mixed with the compressed signal, thus being defeated (other than you'll have a louder non-effect track than the effect track).

If the intention of the final compressor is to normalize the signal coming out of the last effect in the chain, then by all means, it will help. However, it will again be defeated if the original signal is hotter than the compressed signal.

If the intention of the final compressor is to add 'effect' to the output, such as breathing, brightening, d'essing, etc., then it would be useful, but again, as it's mixed with the original signal, it will depend on the level of mix how effective it is...

So basically, what are you trying to do with the sound? What do you want to achieve? What sounds better to you when you hook it up one way or the other? Your ears are always king...

W.

Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2004


Jan 02, 2005 02:00 pm

What you saying, if i use it on an channel one of my mixer, but the signal comming out of MAIN OUT, the effect chain is useless?

So I would run main out thru my effect chain then into my Interface?

I just want clear and nice sound..I only record vocals, and I want it to be the best quality possible..

using more basic terms...

how would u suggest me hooking it up?

Waldo, do you have AIM? This way I can hit u up..and i can ask questions and u can help me out..you been a big help so far..thankz

After reading uour post.. i was maybe thinking

MAIN OUT ON MIXER>>COMPRESSOR>>EQ>>ENHANCER/EXCITER>>MOBILE PRE AUDIO INTERFACE..

is that how it should be hooked up now?


Excuse Me, I Like 2 Ask Question
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2004


Jan 03, 2005 01:13 pm

i just tried this...

MAIN OUT ON MIXER>>COMPRESSOR>>EQ>>ENHANCER/EXCITER>>MOBILE PRE AUDIO INTERFACE..

so the whole signal comming out the mixer will be compressed, etc,

right?

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