compressor

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artCROSS

New member
Newb question:
Is it possible to connect my compressor to the aux send/return of my mixer and send more than 1 channel to it? assuming that i want to have the same ratio, etc. on all the channels.
Thanks!
 
artCROSS
It is possible..but why would you want to? What are you trying to compress ?

Paul Robison

TFPro USA
 
Yes it is. That would be one way to make, say a drum-sub mix with a compressor on it -but might end up being harder way to do it. Remember that now, if you don't turn off the track's main feed to the main mix, you have both the compressed and the non mixing together. And what about track eq? Does it come after the point where the aux takes the signal? (Are you loosing track eq?)
 
the reason i want to do it is b/c i'm stereo micing an acoustic guitar w/ a stereo pair of mxl603s...again, i'm very very new at this, and i only have a one channel compressor. i'm not to worried about eq b/c i do all my eq on the computer...the mixer is just for inputs and preamps
 
You really shouldn't need/want to compress acoustic guitar going in, and very little if any in the mix. If you have time and you are just playing around experiment with it, but if it's something you are working on, keep the compressor out of the picture. If your looking for better sounding tracks work on mic placement.

Paul Robison


TFPro USA
 
To bad you have to loose your stereo to do that. Maybe do the compressing in the daw too?
 
if i dont' compress the acoustic guitar going in, it sounds too...twangy, but i guess you're right, i just need to work with mic placement.

while we're on the subject, what instruments do you recommend compressing going in? I have a compressor plugin, and i don't use any outboard effects (of course i'm just starting to learn how to use these plugins) but i have a one channel compressor i usually use for compressing vocals, acoustic guitar, drums (when they are submixed to 1 channel,t hen compressing the entire channel. i'm getting a new interface that will allow me to have more than 1 input, so i'll probably stop doing this) and even when i mic a guitar cab, but i dont' know any better.
 
artCROSS,
As a "rule", unless the source is very, very dynamic, or you are adding "effect", try not to compress on the way in. Most programs, Nuendo, Samplitude, for example will let you bring in material very low and then pull it up in the box. If you are clipping on the way in, look at a good transparent limiter like the Safesound P-1. Depending on the player or performer, sometimes I'll squish vocals or bass. Getting you head around compression takes time, play with it and make mistakes!! Is your mono compressor a plugin or outboard ?

Paul Robison
TFPro USA
 
Last edited:
its a mono one. it was a "happy trying to DIY" gift from my girlfriend, a presonus comp16 compressor. However, i also have a soniusfx compressor plugin that came with Sonar, but i'm getting a mac soon, so I won't be able to use it anymore.
 
artCROSS said:
.... However, i also have a soniusfx compressor plugin that came with Sonar, but i'm getting a mac soon, so I won't be able to use it anymore.
Click to expand...
That to is a shame.:) Sonitus has a very nice comp+limiter. I'd typicaly use use them after the fact than an average-so-so analog going in.
 
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