cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
Hello,
Currently I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO mixer and the DBX 266XL compressor and I hooked it up into the Mackie's insert for channel one (for voice) using my sm57. I hope I can clearly explain my dilema so here goes .. I use moderate settings for voice to control it but not to squash the dynamics totally. I use 1:2 - 1:4 ratio max, the "overeasy" and "automatic" release/attack times and it all sounds very natural. Problem is I don't know when, and at what point, on the Mackie's LED meters should the compressor start to clamp down on the input signal. Should the comp start to reduce level before it reaches 0db or at 0db or after ? Also, what's a good way to always prevent the compressor from taking away too much of the higher frequencies ? Another question which I'm struggling with is: Is there a compressor set-up routine that most recording engineers/singers use before recording ? Do you, for example, first set the level without the compressor or how does it go ? There are just too many variables to play with and I feel a bit overwhelmed and I'am asking is there a process from A to B to C to D etc ... that one must go through when setting a compressor ? Also, I found myself talking really loud when setting these levels and then couldn't sing cause my vocal chords had a workout just from the setting up part. Is it neccessary to sing/talk loud for an extended period of time when setting this thing up ? How do you people go about doing this ? Also, it's hard to set a compressor when some of your softer songs react differently with a compressor than do some loud ones and I find I have to re-do the whole set-up, with once again the strain on my voice from adjusting levels. Then the levels are wrong again for another song. Is there a way to do this without the associated vocal fatique and constant adjustments ? I would rather set a "universal" comp level for my voice, no matter the song type, and just focus on adjusting levels for my backing tracks. Thanks a lot and for someone who has my type of set-up, please provide YOUR example settings and any other advice. Many thanks for you help.
Daniel
Currently I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO mixer and the DBX 266XL compressor and I hooked it up into the Mackie's insert for channel one (for voice) using my sm57. I hope I can clearly explain my dilema so here goes .. I use moderate settings for voice to control it but not to squash the dynamics totally. I use 1:2 - 1:4 ratio max, the "overeasy" and "automatic" release/attack times and it all sounds very natural. Problem is I don't know when, and at what point, on the Mackie's LED meters should the compressor start to clamp down on the input signal. Should the comp start to reduce level before it reaches 0db or at 0db or after ? Also, what's a good way to always prevent the compressor from taking away too much of the higher frequencies ? Another question which I'm struggling with is: Is there a compressor set-up routine that most recording engineers/singers use before recording ? Do you, for example, first set the level without the compressor or how does it go ? There are just too many variables to play with and I feel a bit overwhelmed and I'am asking is there a process from A to B to C to D etc ... that one must go through when setting a compressor ? Also, I found myself talking really loud when setting these levels and then couldn't sing cause my vocal chords had a workout just from the setting up part. Is it neccessary to sing/talk loud for an extended period of time when setting this thing up ? How do you people go about doing this ? Also, it's hard to set a compressor when some of your softer songs react differently with a compressor than do some loud ones and I find I have to re-do the whole set-up, with once again the strain on my voice from adjusting levels. Then the levels are wrong again for another song. Is there a way to do this without the associated vocal fatique and constant adjustments ? I would rather set a "universal" comp level for my voice, no matter the song type, and just focus on adjusting levels for my backing tracks. Thanks a lot and for someone who has my type of set-up, please provide YOUR example settings and any other advice. Many thanks for you help.
Daniel