aux or insert, how do YOU use your comp?

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andrew321

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hey all, quick, dumb question for anyone with the time to answer.

how many of you guys run your compression through aux busses/fx sends, and how many of you use channel inserts and a patchbay? I'm in the process of putting together my first little project area, and I recently got a cheap used rnc. It's my first compressor, and well, you know how THAT goes... :rolleyes:

I understand that when using an aux send, you can now control the volume amount of wet and dry signal. I could understand how that might be usefull with a verb, but not with a comp.

Anyways, i just wanted to get an idea of what the norm is. Any tips or pointers or "do a search, jerk"'s would be greatly appreciated. :)
 
Compressors are generally run as an insert. Aux sends are better suited to time-based effects like reverb and chorus.
 
and the reason this is done is because usually you want two different wet/dry signals with reverb. You still got your original and then you also have your effected somewhere else. An aux just copies the signal but also sends the rest of the original on through.
When you compress or EQ, you usually don't want the original anymore...just the effected version. so you use an insert, which takes the signal out of the signal path....sends it to the compressor and brings it back where you left off.
 
andrew321 said:
I understand that when using an aux send, you can now control the volume amount of wet and dry signal. I could understand how that might be usefull with a verb, but not with a comp.
Click to expand...
MadAudio said:
Compressors are generally run as an insert. Aux sends are better suited to time-based effects like reverb and chorus.
Click to expand...
Mix the two above quotes together and you have your answer. :) You are both basically correct, but even more correct when you add your answrs together.

Rarely does one need to mix a dry signal with it's compressed counterpart (though there are special exceptions; see below.) Also - again with eceptions - it's not too often where you'll want to send more than one channel strip to the same compression circuit/setting, and when you do, it's often strapped across a sub instead of returned from an aux. For these reasons you'll rarely find a compressor out on the auxes, and it makes more sense to insert them.

There are some special exceptions. One famous example is the "Motowm vocal" effect where a vocal is augmented by putting a little of a compressed version of it behind, but - unless you work for Barry Gordy - you probably won't be using your comp for that most of the time.

G.
 
Wow, i didn't expect a response so soon! Thanks so much for the knowlegable replies, you've cleared up more than a few things for me.


I guess I have to get some insert cables now. :rolleyes:


Thanks, and take it easy, all
 
I also run a compressor on subgroups for drums and bring it back on two console channels to beef up drums. You set up a drum mix on the stereo buss as you would. Then you also assign the drum channels to a sub group that's panned out left and right and send that subgroup to a compressor and step on it hard. Bring it back to two channels and push it up under your existing drum mix to taste.
 
i use the insert across a channel alot, i use it inserted across a stereo bus alot for drums. sometimes ill pull the line out off a channel/track run that through a comp and then back on a seperate channnel as a compressed double of original.
 
Cool ideas... @ track and rich

I've heard of doing similar things, hopefully I'll become good enough to try them out soon!

(I think the problem is these darn forums are so addicting, I embarrased to say I probably spend more time reading about making music than actually doing it! :rolleyes: )
 
as for sub-comping drums (I do that for "pumping" effects, I do hiphop)...my mixer doesn't have any subs... could I just use my comp the aux-way and turn the aux sends completely open?

:confused:
 
Mo-Kay said:
as for sub-comping drums (I do that for "pumping" effects, I do hiphop)...my mixer doesn't have any subs... could I just use my comp the aux-way and turn the aux sends completely open?

:confused:
Click to expand...

yeah - you can do that and then bring it back into your board elsewhere (aux return/ empty channels.)

the send will dictate how much is going to the compressor.

did this for years on a 1604.

i go recorder - compressor - board...unless i'm subbing.

Mike
 
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