How should I hook the following equipment up??

[nickles]

Okay, so recently i have learned the an essential part of equipment i was missing was a compressor. So after looking my setup I am getting pretty overwhelmed. This is what i am working with. All mixing is done through my computer using Sonar, I have a PV6 USB mixer, a CAD GXL2200, Peavey cel2 compressor, and an amp that drives my PA speakers. I have attached some pictures to help, what is the best way to hook all this together? Thanks for any help... Nickles

 

[moresound]

PA speakers? Is this for live use?
If so it would be Microphone ---> Mixer ---> Compressor ---> Amp ---> Speakers.

 

[nickles]

Not for live... speakers are just to listen after I am done, problem i am having is the compressor comes after the mixer, it seems as if i am going to have to go straight from the compressor to the computer to record? IDK, what do you think?

 

[moresound]

You shouldn't need the compressor till after you have your tracks recorded then you use the compressor.

What DAW are you using Nickles?

 

[mixsit]

For recording? It isn't essential at all. The plugs are as good perhaps better in some cases- and available in flavors and styles the would cost thousands to do in hardware.
Main reasons to comp in the the way in; If it can get your signal closer to it's 'finished target so there's less to do in the mix, or that particular hardware does something special. Since it can't be undone it also presumes useing actually hit that target needed in the mix (It's totally possible to get it wrong
If you're going into the computer USB that mixer doesn't have (that I can see) the normal patch point for it; either an 'insert for the channels or the main fader, or after the mixer's output > comp in > comp out to a converter> to the cpmputer.

 

[nickles]

I am very new to this... DAW?... not sure what that is.

 

[nickles]

I hooked it up last night how you finished that post. whole path was... USB audio out from the computer (right channel) Microphone in to mixer (left channel), from the mixer the MAIN OUT is going to the amp, then the CTRL OUT is going to the compressor. Then from the compressor I went from 1/4 to RCA(left and right chanels), which turned into 1/8 into my Line in. I tend to get loud on the mic sometimes. LOL

 

[LeadPaint]

DAW, digital audio workstation. The software you use for recording and mixing.

 

[nickles]

Sonar Producer Edition

 

[nickles]

The reason I got the compressor in the first place was someone on youtube said my voice and mix would sound alot better with a compressor. If you search twoodnick on youtube, Miguel "Sure Thing" Nickles Cover is the song. (I would put i link but i have to post 10 times first... haha , also, when mixing, what are normal effect to put on vocal tracks? Thanks

 

[moresound]

Get 4 more post than show the link.

 

[nickles]

ok i guess i can just type four short sentences

 

[nickles]

About stuff like,

 

[nickles]

that fact the forum makes you wait 30 seconds to respond...lol

 

[nickles]

and this should be 4

 

[nickles]

Miguel "Sure Thing" Nickles Cover - YouTube here is the link

 

[mixsit]

Yeah, do a little leveling/smoothing on the voc.
But that doesn't mean it had to happen at tracking.

btw.. Thanks for the bump

 

[nickles]

No Problem, by leveling/smoothing, are those things that i do in sonar? only thing i put on my voice was a little reverb.

 

[mixsit]

No Problem, by leveling/smoothing, are those things that i do in sonar? only thing i put on my voice was a little reverb.

Well yeah. Wasn't that the whole point about the compressor. That would be your compressor plugs, or/and automation ('Track Fader or 'Clip Envelopes in 'cake speak
It was a quick partial listen but really it's setting ing there pretty well already. I didn't hear any big (as in time length) -phrases or words that dropped out. Off the top I'd say comp. Try a bit of 2:1 moderately fast attack and release, a few db to start.
Bigger chunks, emphasizing/deemphasizing things, trimming stuff and final mix automation is where the envelopes would come in.

 

[shortedaman]

Dont use your computers built in soundcard. Thats a no no.