Hooking up a Compressor without inserts

[ido1957]

I just bought a new mixer and it has no inserts . I use Aux send A for reverb, and Aux B is available for whatever... Can I Aux send Channel 1 through my compressor and return it on a separate channel (or the Aux return) without wrecking anything?

I want to send the compressed mic signal to my computer via USB. I have individual USB outs on each channel so I'm thinking I can send just the compressed signal to the computer. I just have to load the drivers again. Or in another method, I could send the individual channel panned L out through main L to my USB inputs on my U42S.

I like a mild compressor on my NTK when I record or practice.

Edit - I have an Alt 3/4 thingamajiggy too - would that work okay as a send for the compressor?
Sound reasonable?

 

[Jim Lad]

I'm pretty sure you can do it that way, others may confirm that for you but depending on whichever compressor you buy, you may not have to.
Get one with a "Mic in" and "Line out" to your mixer/interface.
eg. I have the Joe Meek 3Q, channel strip which allows you to do this.

 

[gecko zzed]

I use Aux send A for reverb, and Aux B is available for whatever... Can I Aux send Channel 1 through my compressor and return it on a separate channel (or the Aux return) without wrecking anything?

I want to send the compressed mic signal to my computer via USB. I have individual USB outs on each channel so I'm thinking I can send just the compressed signal to the computer.

I have an Alt 3/4 thingamajiggy too - would that work okay as a send for the compressor?

There are quite a number of ways of doing this.

One is to put a signal through channel one, send an aux out to the compressor, bring the compressor's output into channel two, and send this to USB.

Or you can send a signal to channel one, route this to Alt3/4, send this output to the compressor, bring it back into channel 2 and send the main outs to USB.

 

[ido1957]

One is to put a signal through channel one, send an aux out to the compressor, bring the compressor's output into channel two, and send this to USB.

This is how I did it tonight - it sounds pretty good and seems to have a bit more headroom before feedback.....which is tough with a condensor used live...

 

[Ethan Winer]

I want to send the compressed mic signal to my computer via USB.

Why not just record straight and compress in software later? That's a lot easier, and has other advantages too such as being able to change your mind. I never record with any effects, other than guitar FX that are a basic part of the sound.

--Ethan

 

[Jim Lad]

Hy Ethan:
I agree with you on most of that but do make an exception for compression. Once you've got it set, you get nice waves to work with and no distortion. Get it wrong though, and like you've said, your basically stuck with it.

 

[ido1957]

I only use mild compression so it doesn't impact it greatly. Just beefs it up a bit. I still want to use the compressor because:
1) It sounds nice on the vocals
2) You can't route it into the computer using the equipment I have
3) The compressor in Sonar is okay but not my favorite and doesn't sound as good in my opinion
4) I can't afford any higher priced plugins like waves or uad
5) I paid a lotta bucks for it and don't want to sell it

I'm sure there are compressors built into the high end pre-amps in many studios that are recorded direct to computer