how many of you use compressers ?

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

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!

What do you use, and/or recommend Lon?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

What do you use, and/or recommend Lon?

I use a dbx 166 on the system overall output, a dbx 266XL on two backup mics, 2 Symetrix 501 for 2 main mics - however these are no longer made, the closest equivalent would be the dbx 160A. These are single channel compressors, probably not feasable for most. I would recommend a dbx 166XL simply because it's a nice compressor for the price plus has a limiter built in - good for those screamers. The 266XL is also a nice unit without the limiter built in.
Now another really good unit is the dbx 1046 - it's is a 4 channel compressor with limiter in a one space rack.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

I use a dbx 166 on the system overall output, a dbx 266XL on two backup mics, 2 Symetrix 501 for 2 main mics - however these are no longer made, the closest equivalent would be the dbx 160A. These are single channel compressors, probably not feasable for most. I would recommend a dbx 166XL simply because it's a nice compressor for the price plus has a limiter built in - good for those screamers. The 266XL is also a nice unit without the limiter built in.
Now another really good unit is the dbx 1046 - it's is a 4 channel compressor with limiter in a one space rack.

Thx Lon.
Bryant

[CerealKiller]

Ok this is where I get confused "limiter" "compresser" a limiter sounds like one that would keep the screamers from overdriving my amp, right now I keep my fingers on the sliders. A compresser sounds like it would squeeze the vocals into certian frequencys, my mixer has a shape knob to control the freqs. I've been to many shows where compressers were used and it never sounded like my voice was comming thru in its true nature, do you think they just didn't know how to run things or was the compressor pulling back parts of my voice?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by CerealKiller

Ok this is where I get confused "limiter" "compresser" a limiter sounds like one that would keep the screamers from overdriving my amp, right now I keep my fingers on the sliders. A compresser sounds like it would squeeze the vocals into certian frequencys, my mixer has a shape knob to control the freqs. I've been to many shows where compressers were used and it never sounded like my voice was comming thru in its true nature, do you think they just didn't know how to run things or was the compressor pulling back parts of my voice?

A limiter will stop the signal from getting over a certain level. Great for speaker protection.
A compressor will help level out those signals that go from soft to loud to soft to loud - where you can actually turn the fader up a little more to bring out the soft, but when they get loud, it will react like turning the fader down - without needing to ride the fader all the time. You can be out walking around & the compressor will do it's thing.
What's a 'shape' knob?
I don't think those shows that you heard your voice had anything to do with the compressor, more sounds like they had the effects set wrong. But if it was due to the compressor they obviously had the unit set much to hard for vocals.

[CerealKiller]

the shape knob boost and cuts frequencies. Seems redundant at first cause of the high mid low knobs but it does make a diffrence, Mackie CFX12 MKII. Kinda wish I had the VLZ, cause though Preamps sound bad if turned up more than halfway

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by CerealKiller

the shape knob boost and cuts frequencies. Seems redundant at first cause of the high mid low knobs but it does make a diffrence, Mackie CFX12 MKII. Kinda wish I had the VLZ, cause though Preamps sound bad if turned up more than halfway

Where is the 'shape' knob on the CFX12? I've had one for years, never saw that?

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

I use a dbx 166 on the system overall output, a dbx 266XL on two backup mics, 2 Symetrix 501 for 2 main mics - however these are no longer made, the closest equivalent would be the dbx 160A. These are single channel compressors, probably not feasable for most. I would recommend a dbx 166XL simply because it's a nice compressor for the price plus has a limiter built in - good for those screamers. The 266XL is also a nice unit without the limiter built in.
Now another really good unit is the dbx 1046 - it's is a 4 channel compressor with limiter in a one space rack.

If I get this dbx166xl you recommend, do I hook it up between the wireless mic receiver (4 mics controlled here) and mixer, the mixer and amp(which you may remember I have bass and highs), or between amps and speakers(wouldn't think it would be there, though)?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

If I get this dbx166xl you recommend, do I hook it up between the wireless mic receiver (4 mics controlled here) and mixer, the mixer and amp(which you may remember I have bass and highs), or between amps and speakers(wouldn't think it would be there, though)?

Well you'll only be able to use 2 mics with that one - unless your receiver picks up all 4 mics on 1 channel? If your mixer has 'insert' jacks then I would connect it up through those on the 2 main mic channels otherwise between the mic & mixer - not as effective but will work.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Well you'll only be able to use 2 mics with that one - unless your receiver picks up all 4 mics on 1 channel? If your mixer has 'insert' jacks then I would connect it up through those on the 2 main mic channels otherwise between the mic & mixer - not as effective but will work.

Receiver has 4 mics, I use one, singer uses another one, then there are two wired mics also hooked up, I would probably choose the wireless receiver and one of the wired mics to compress. So, compressor goes between mic output and mixer input.

Please comment on Billy-o's suggestion about mixer to compressor to amp, knowing that I feed two amps from my mixer?

thx, Lon.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

Receiver has 4 mics, I use one, singer uses another one, then there are two wired mics also hooked up, I would probably choose the wireless receiver and one of the wired mics to compress. So, compressor goes between mic output and mixer input.

Please comment on Billy-o's suggestion about mixer to compressor to amp, knowing that I feed two amps from my mixer?

thx, Lon.

Look at reply #19 on page 1 for the response to Billy-O.

What kind of mixer are you using?

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Look at reply #19 on page 1 for the response to Billy-O.

What kind of mixer are you using?

I'm still with the behringer 1040fx we've spoken about before, until I get the mackie, on order now.

[billyo]

Originally Posted by bryant

If I get this dbx166xl you recommend, do I hook it up between the wireless mic receiver (4 mics controlled here) and mixer, the mixer and amp(which you may remember I have bass and highs), or between amps and speakers(wouldn't think it would be there, though)?

the way i had mine set up was..board to compressor, compressor to amp..( whatever amp that is plugged into your board )

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by billyo

the way i had mine set up was..board to compressor, compressor to amp..( whatever amp that is plugged into your board )

Only drawback to that is if you really just want to compress like a loud vocal, it will do that but it will also bring the music down at the same time keeping the vocal still much louder than the music. When you compress just the vocals, it will leave the music in tact and just control the mics - keeping the loud vocals in check with the music at the same time.

[billyo]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Only drawback to that is if you really just want to compress like a loud vocal, it will do that but it will also bring the music down at the same time keeping the vocal still much louder than the music. When you compress just the vocals, it will leave the music in tact and just control the mics - keeping the loud vocals in check with the music at the same time.

thats true, i havent used my dbx266 &/Lexicon mpx 110 in years, ( 6-7 years )since i stopped doing big venues, maybe i'll start using them..

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by billyo

thats true, i havent used my dbx266 &/Lexicon mpx 110 in years, ( 6-7 years )since i stopped doing big venues, maybe i'll start using them..

The MPX110 is an effect processor only, not a compressor of any sort. The MPX should be placed in the Aux send/return loop of the mixer.

[Rockrz]

Can't you use the compressor built in to your mixing board?

I think I'm going to snag the Behringer XENYX X2222USB

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036ECH0S/...=IIS5AXON6HX8M

It has "8 studio-grade compressors with super-easy "one-knob" functionality and control LED for professional vocal and instrumental sound"

This ought to work out pretty good... I hope...

[smoky]

I only use compression on "problem" singers. Compression will kill a lot of the skill of accomplished singers.

Smoky

[Chad Slater]

Do any of you use the DBX 286s? I bought it not too long ago and it seemed a good buy with it being a compressor, de-esser and expander/gate

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Only drawback to that is if you really just want to compress like a loud vocal, it will do that but it will also bring the music down at the same time keeping the vocal still much louder than the music. When you compress just the vocals, it will leave the music in tact and just control the mics - keeping the loud vocals in check with the music at the same time.

See it now, daaah (on my part) ....This would work for those guys at the end of the song that yell out perhaps, but i see where it would cut down the music too, during the song, but at least get the screaming out, and if he's gonna scream, then he doesn't get to hear the music very well during his screaming either (teach him not to scream).

I think i'd go with the compress mic only idea.