how many of you use compressers ?

[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.

[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?

[CerealKiller]

Is it the MKII version? Its in the manual, vocal channels have High Mid Shape and Low. Also I don't like the small submix buttons or at least they don't like smoky bars. the two channels I use for music just have Hi Hi-Mid Low-Mid and Low

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by CerealKiller

Is it the MKII version? Its in the manual, vocal channels have High Mid Shape and Low. Also I don't like the small submix buttons or at least they don't like smoky bars. the two channels I use for music just have Hi Hi-Mid Low-Mid and Low

Oh the swept mid - adjustable to certain frequencies between 100hz-8khz. I never saw it referenced as a shape knob in the manual which is why I was wondering. I see it references 'shape' via the 9 band graphic stating it is used to shape the frequencies of the main mix.
No it's the original that I have but the only difference between the two were cosmetic changes.

[bryant]

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 )

Board goes to two amps, as one feeds bass bins and one feeds highs, maybe Lonnie could tell us if serving the highs with the compressor and leaving the bass bin amp alone would be advisable?

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

Board goes to two amps, as one feeds bass bins and one feeds highs, maybe Lonnie could tell us if serving the highs with the compressor and leaving the bass bin amp alone would be advisable?

Run it on your mics, not the main outputs. You want to compress vocals not the overall mix.
As far as two amps, if you ran an external crossover, then you could put it between the mixer & the crossover, but it really won't do no good only on one and not the other.

[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.

[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.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

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

1040FX? I can't find any info on that one?

[billyo]

Originally Posted by bryant

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.

it's true what Lonman said, but when i had it hooked up the way i had, i never had a problem with any music cut down, or i just probably didnt noticed it, (who would, i had 6 amps , and 8 speakers and 4 subs hooked-up all the time when i used to do big venues ), but anyway i dont do that anymore..you wont go wrong with mackie boards , i have 3 of them ( 2 dfx 6 and 1 cfx 12 )

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

1040FX? I can't find any info on that one?

try 1404FX, Thx.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

try 1404FX, Thx.

Weird I can't find any info on that one either - even from Behringer. Does the mixer have insert jacks on the mic channels anywhere?

[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

[bryant]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Weird I can't find any info on that one either - even from Behringer. Does the mixer have insert jacks on the mic channels anywhere?

Sorry Lon, Zenyx 1204FX behringer mixer

[muzicman144]

All the effects are wonderful ONLY if you understand how they work AND how to use them. A complete nightmare if you do not.
muzicman144

[Singsation]

Hi all just reading through some of your posts, I use a behringer MDX2600 and i compress the whole mix, as it keeps all of the mixer output in check therefore protecting your bass bins and your tops from damage. It also has a limiter to protect everything whilst you have toilet break and some enthusiastic menber of the crowd tries to crank it up when your not there. I have the ratio set to 2.1 and attack set at -10 dec and the auto button pressed and the compresser does the rest. The xlr outputs go then to my x/over. Simple. Most CD's are compressed this way before printed as to keep the Volumes uniform across the mix.
Cheers.

[Monolithent]

As for compressors there are other uses for them as well but for the purposes here I use a compressor in the insert channels of all the mics with limiters set for all but mine. And my driverack has a compressor limiter built in to it that I use for outputs from the mixer to the amps. If you study how to set up a proper gain structure you an actually use certain compressors to increase the sound from your speakers safely. Compressing out transients and then bumping the gain and setting the limiter properly you wind up giving the amps more signal but inside a more controlled bandwidth with very few if any transients. Works very well once you get the hang of it. Can make a 2000 watt amp behave more like a 3000 watt. Just be sure to read up on it before you do it. If you screw it up you can kiss your speakers good-bye.