Compressor sidechain insert to patchbay

[diggy_dude]

I want to bring the sidechain insert of my dbx 166A out to the patchbay to make it easier to add or remove an EQ to the sidechain. How can I allow the compressor to function normally when no EQ is connected, i.e., with an insert cable plugged into the sidechain inserts but nothing connected to the send and return ends of the cable? Could I simply bridge the send for each channel to the same channel's return with a patch cord on the patchbay's front panel?

 

[moresound]

I want to bring the sidechain insert of my dbx 166A out to the patchbay to make it easier to add or remove an EQ to the sidechain. How can I allow the compressor to function normally when no EQ is connected, i.e., with an insert cable plugged into the sidechain inserts but nothing connected to the send and return ends of the cable? Could I simply bridge the send for each channel to the same channel's return with a patch cord on the patchbay's front panel?

If I'm reading this right Diggy ..... I think that will work ..... did you try it out?

 

[Massive Master]

Just normal the connection (or sure, you could use a patch cable).

 

[diggy_dude]

If I'm reading this right Diggy ..... I think that will work ..... did you try it out?

Not yet. I didn't want to blow money on insert cables without finding out whether it would work first.

Just normal the connection (or sure, you could use a patch cable).

I just looked that up in the patchbay's owner manual. It looks like it will do the same thing as a patch cord. Thanks!

 

[MOFO Pro]

You don't want to use an insert cable for side chain on a compressor. There's no return for the compressor on the side chain circuit... you may require a y cable to split the source of the side chain input which will also be left in the mix. The signal at the side chain input is not compress, the dynamic info from that input is used to trigger compression on the signal chain path in the compressor

 

[diggy_dude]

You don't want to use an insert cable for side chain on a compressor. There's no return for the compressor on the side chain circuit... you may require a y cable to split the source of the side chain input which will also be left in the mix. The signal at the side chain input is not compress, the dynamic info from that input is used to trigger compression on the signal chain path in the compressor

The owner's manual says to use an insert cable. A buffered version of the input signal is sent to the ring (send), through the external EQ, and back to the tip (return).

 

[RawDepth]

You don't want to use an insert cable for side chain on a compressor. There's no return for the compressor on the side chain circuit...

On this particular unit, that insert (sidechain) point can make use of an insert cable so that you can use an EQ for the sidechain trigger. It works like this...

The signal present at the standard input jack is internally paralleled over to the sidechain jack. The sidechain jack then behaves like an effects loop. It sends signal out to your EQ (via the ring) and the EQ'ed signal is returned to the same jack (via the tip) to activate the compression. That way you can pinpoint a specific frequency to cue the compression circuit without needing to feed the sidechain circuit from a second outside audio source.

Massive Master has given the original poster a good solution, however, this may not work either. The manual also says that plugging a cable into the sidechain jack (whether it be insert or mono) will internally break the connection between the standard input jack and the detection circuit. Having a cable permanently plugged into the sidechain jack may force you to use it with sidechain signal every time.

 

[MOFO Pro]

I stand corrected... makes perfect sense... I just never heard of it implemented by any manufacturer...

 

[diggy_dude]

Having a cable permanently plugged into the sidechain jack may force you to use it with sidechain signal every time.

Wouldn't my original idea of bridging the tip and ring on the patchbay front panel solve that? For that matter, why wouldn't normaling the patchbay connection work? Both would complete the circuit from send to return.

 

[MOFO Pro]

From what I've heard here for this particular unit it should work, the question is do you want it to work this way... triggering the compression of the side chain input from the the unmodified source. Why not use the compressor without the side chain until you need a side chain. I take the cleanest, shortest, simplest route, but who knows it may just add the little bit of mojo you've been seeking your entire recording career... the holy grail of compression technique, but you won't know until you just friggin' try it...

 

[RawDepth]

Wouldn't my original idea of bridging the tip and ring on the patchbay front panel solve that? For that matter, why wouldn't normaling the patchbay connection work? Both would complete the circuit from send to return.

It all depends on how the circuit is broken inside the compressor when the plug is inserted. Some jacks have a physical "shunt" mechanism inside which opens or re-routes the signal when a plug is present.

You'll just have to try it with a plug inserted and see if you can use it both ways.

 

[diggy_dude]

I understand that it will lengthen the sidechain route unnecessarily when no external effect is patched in. On the other hand, it's a pain to go behind the rack to plug in an insert cord every time I need it.

 

[RawDepth]

I understand that it will lengthen the sidechain route unnecessarily when no external effect is patched in. On the other hand, it's a pain to go behind the rack to plug in an insert cord every time I need it.

You may be correct. The more I think about it, the more I think it will work. Give it a try. What have you got to lose?