compressor/limiter settings

[mutt]

I just bought a Behringer MDX4400compressor for our band to use with our stage set up. I got it because we have two main problems with our vocals -
1. Our female singer goes from her regular volume during the sound check to hyperdrove when she gets crankin'. Even with a sound man, it usually clips and distorts in the monitors.
2. One male singer has a "soft" voice that really needs something to level it out and boost the low parts.

The Behringer manual must have been written by someone from MIT. It has a lot of great info on sound waves,etc, but what it doesn't have is a recommended starting setup for vocals. Can someone tell me a good starting point for the different settings? Each channel has:
1. -40 to +20 threshold knob
2. 1 to 10 ratio knob
3. -20 to +20 output knob
4. 0 to off peak limiter knob
5. An interactive switch from hard knee to IKA (I guess soft knee) characteristics.

What might be a good starting point for all of these knobs and switches for the female vocals live?

mutt

 

[MISTERQCUE]

There's an excellent concise summary on compression that probably can assist you in
most compressor applications.
Visit. wwwdrawmer.com .

 

[dobro]

I'm in the same position, more or less, as mutt. I tried the drawmer site, but couldn't get into it. Can anybody suggest some starting settings? I bought this piece of metal and knobs because of otherwise good takes being ruined by clipping when recording.

How about:

* -30 threshold

* 2:1 ratio

* push the 'auto' button and let attack and release take care of themselves?

dobro,
first and last of the techno minimalists