The right way to hookup a compressor?

[fireworksgoup]

I just recently purchased a Behringer Autocom and I'm not sure what would be the right way to hook it up to my Alesis Multimix8 USB. For vocals the only what I could think of would be sending the cable into the compressor and then out to the mixer channel. I know alot of people suggest using compressor AFTER you've recorded, but I'm not sure if I can do this if I'll be recording screaming vocals.

I'm sort of bad with the right terms so bare with me on this next one:

If I was recording using multiple mics at the same time, could I some how work the compressor like an effects loop on the mixer?

Any suggestions on the best way to hook this up, would be much appreciated.

[mikey@thecave]

yes you can do it that way if you have an out board preamp first or if you use the preamps in the mixer and your board has effect inserts you can use them

[Wireneck]

There are a few ways as Mikey noted.

-Go from mic pre, into the compressor, out into software or hardware recording device.

-Use the compressor in the insert channel of the mic pre during tracking.

-use the compressor in the insert channel during mixing.

I personally don't use compression while tracking but if you have someone who is all over the place it may be needed. Just set it to limit and make sure you do a few test runs before you hit record. A bad comp setting can ruin tracks later down the road when your trying to mix. You can always add more compression but you can't take it away after the fact.

[undrgrnd studio]

How can you add more compression if you have a limited tracking machine like an 8 track harddrive recorder. Would you send the signal out of the recorder and through the compressor, then back into another track? That seems like an awful lot of extra time wasted. What happens if you use compression while recording that makes it undesireable?

[mikey@thecave]

no no you can compress while recording i do it all the time --just remember your stuck with the results -

[undrgrnd studio]

Originally Posted by mikey@thecave

no no you can compress while recording i do it all the time --just remember your stuck with the results -

OH! Ok that goes without saying. I thought you meant something else. I guess the real solution to a problem like I mentioned, is to get a better recorder with more tracks.