how many of you use compressers ?

[CerealKiller]

Just want to know opions on compressers.

[Lonman]

Wouldn't run vocals without one! Also have one with a very slight compression ratio & brick wall limiter on my main output for added dynamics & speaker protection as well.

[madjim- with the Lord]

The Yamaha amp/mixer I use has compresion buit in to four of the channels. I use these channels with light compresion for my microphones.

I use no comprestion on the music channel.

The amp/mixer has a buit in limiter on the main and monitor outputs to prevent speaker damager. It also has and overall enhance/compresor which I leave off.

Jim

[mindonstrike]

My first day as a KJ I had some screamers that kept causing the amps limiter to kick in causing the amp to shut down for a couple of seconds and creating some embarassing audio drops.
I bought a compressor/limiter the very next day and haven't had any similiar problems in 9 years.

Ya' live and learn.

Sam

[CerealKiller]

what does a compresser do exactly?

[bryant]

I don't, but prolly will now. Lonnie, what do you suggest.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by CerealKiller

what does a compresser do exactly?

It helps to keep your volume levels in check - say you have a singer that is singing along & then really belts out a passage, the compressor will automattically bring that volume down to a predetermined setting making the vocal sound like the same level all throughout the entire song. Have you ever had a singer that was rolling along then just belted out - making his vocal VERY HIGH over the music - even to the point of distorting the speaker, a compressor will help this!

[gators66]

I also have a dbx166 xl and am extremely pleased with it. I had no idea what a compressor/limiter did but with Lonman's and other peoples help got it hooked up correctly and just started messing with it.
It isn't failproof but pretty simple to use if you dont get too cute.

[mindonstrike]

Not a bad idea to get one with a de-esser to handle problems with sibilance.

Not a real common problem but nice to be able to deal with when you do.

Sam

[cccolvin]

I have a DBX compressor on every microphone and a DBX Driverack PA+ which compresses and limits the overall sound and is a crossover, anti feedback and many more functions including EQ. It is the most important part of my sound other than a great mixer like Allen&Heath make. It makes any speaker system work to it's potential!

[cccolvin]

I will only use DBX compressors. They are not all equal. I use a DBX compressor on every microphone. I also use a DBX Driverack speaker management system on the overall system. It is a compressor, limiter, sub-harmonic synthesizer, anti-feedback, crossover, Parametric EQ, a 31 band EQ, and delay all in one rack unit. With the calibration microphone, it can set all crossover, anti-feedback, EQ and crossover settings to optimize your speaker -amp combination. This is the most powerful thing you can put on any KJ system. In 15 years, I have never lost a speaker and have less feedback than all of my competitors. It is a godsend. Compressors keep your sound in the sweet spot of the limits of your system. It takes a little while to tweak it but if you know what you are doing, it gives you the best possible sound. Also, a good mixer like Allen&Heath make, will give you top notch sound. I swear my A&H mixer has never crackled on any channel in 10 years. My Mackie lasted 1 year and it was shot.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by cccolvin

I will only use DBX compressors. They are not all equal. I use a DBX compressor on every microphone. I also use a DBX Driverack speaker management system on the overall system. It is a compressor, limiter, sub-harmonic synthesizer, anti-feedback, crossover, Parametric EQ, a 31 band EQ, and delay all in one rack unit. With the calibration microphone, it can set all crossover, anti-feedback, EQ and crossover settings to optimize your speaker -amp combination. This is the most powerful thing you can put on any KJ system. In 15 years, I have never lost a speaker and have less feedback than all of my competitors.

I call that same system my ears....lol
Seriously I don't use the driverack in my system but do have one on my home system, but it is a good system especially for those systems that lack some of the outboard gear & kj's that don't have the tech knowledge. It will improve their sound quite a bit with a simple setting within 9 out of 10 times.

[Stefan]

Protect your gear! Always use vocal compression and limiting with karaoke singers, and professional singers too.