How do I connect a nanocompressor to the Tascam 424 MK3 ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cjacek
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cjacek

cjacek

Analogue Enthusiast
Hi ...

Just as the heading asks ... How do I connect a nanocompressor to the Tascam 424 MK3 ? I wish to have a pretty clear route for the mic into the "mic in" and so I wish to connect the nano some other way as not to interfere with the mic pathway and perhaps generate more noise. (Now, I only record my vocals to pre-recorded music so it's pretty simple recording.). Please help.

Thanks.

Dan
 
Dan,
I use a Behringer compressor MDX2200 with my 424 MKII. I've gotten the best results by going from my mic (CAD E100 or Shure SM58) to my ART Tube MP (need phantom power with the CAD)to the compressor then to channel one (panned hard left) of the 424. They call this "compress to tape." This works good for me because I want to compress before effects are added (via effects send 1 and 2). Use channels 3 and 4 (panned hard left and right respectively) for the pre-recorded music. Bring the vocal back to center when you mix down to tape or whatever.

I guess an alternative would be to run a patch cable from channel one (vocal) out the back to your compressor then from the compressor back into channel 2 (panned hard right). Haven't tried it so not sure. Just my thoughts.

Don
 
DigitalDon said:
Dan,
I use a Behringer compressor MDX2200 with my 424 MKII. I've gotten the best results by going from my mic (CAD E100 or Shure SM58) to my ART Tube MP (need phantom power with the CAD)to the compressor then to channel one (panned hard left) of the 424. They call this "compress to tape." This works good for me because I want to compress before effects are added (via effects send 1 and 2). Use channels 3 and 4 (panned hard left and right respectively) for the pre-recorded music. Bring the vocal back to center when you mix down to tape or whatever.

I guess an alternative would be to run a patch cable from channel one (vocal) out the back to your compressor then from the compressor back into channel 2 (panned hard right). Haven't tried it so not sure. Just my thoughts.

Don
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Hi Don,

Thanks for the reply ! I also use a similar setup as you - APEX CONDENSER MIC to ART TUBE MP to ALESIS NANOCOMPRESSOR to CHANNEL ONE TASCAM III. (I sing through headphones so I have the pan centered on ch 1). I then use channels 2 and 3 (pan hard left and right) to record the music track. Why do you pan hard left for the vocal part ? Also, why don't you use channels 2 and 3 for the music track ? As for my setup, someone suggested I should not run my compressor in that way. They said to run it throught the "inserts" in the back. I don't know why because I have good sound the way I do it. Thanks again for the reply.

Dan
 
I believe you use the compressor as an "insert" when you mixdown. 424 R/L RCA outs--> (stereo EQ)--> dual channel compressor--> mixdown unit.
 
england said:
I believe you use the compressor as an "insert" when you mixdown. 424 R/L RCA outs--> (stereo EQ)--> dual channel compressor--> mixdown unit.
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Hi england,

So, if I understand correctly, when you (meaning anyone) use a compressor as an "insert" or NOT directly from the mic to the compressor to the recorder, then you are using the comp as a "mixdown" tool only, right ? So the right way to use a comp is directly from mic to recorder ?

Thanks.

Dan
 
Right, unless you are recording something requiring compression, such as a bass. If you're using something that needs compressing (bass, vocals, whatever), then you put the compressor in the signal chain between the instrument and the recorder (some also use a direct box for bass). Then, when you mixdown the compressor can again be used but this time as an insert as I described above. Basically, one device serving two purposes and connected two different ways.
 
england said:
Right, unless you are recording something requiring compression, such as a bass. If you're using something that needs compressing (bass, vocals, whatever), then you put the compressor in the signal chain between the instrument and the recorder (some also use a direct box for bass). Then, when you mixdown the compressor can again be used but this time as an insert as I described above. Basically, one device serving two purposes and connected two different ways.
Click to expand...

Ok, thank you very much england !

Take care,

Dan
 
england said:
Right, unless you are recording something requiring compression, such as a bass. If you're using something that needs compressing (bass, vocals, whatever), then you put the compressor in the signal chain between the instrument and the recorder (some also use a direct box for bass). Then, when you mixdown the compressor can again be used but this time as an insert as I described above. Basically, one device serving two purposes and connected two different ways.
Click to expand...

Actully there might be some potential problems hooking up your instrument direct to a compressor.

It depends on the sensitivity and the impendence of the compressors input as well as the compatibility of the output to the mixers line input.
If every thing matches then you can get a good clean compression but if not then it will tend to sound thin.

With bass it can be a problem but less so with Keyboards
 
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