Paging Alan! Help with settings for Joe Meek MC2

  • Thread starter Thread starter chessparov
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chessparov

New member
Alan, as you know, I'm looking forward to receiving the Joe Meek
MC2 compressor shortly. Curious as to good starting points in
your opinion as far as vocals and during mixdown.

How does this sound?...
1) Vocals- 5 milliseconds attack, 1/2 second release
2) Mixdown- not sure

Thinking that as basically a soft knee compressor, around 5ms
is generally better than 3ms on "attack" to avoid pumping.
And that closer to 1/2 second is better than 3/4 second on
"release" since an opto compressor is "slower" than a VCA,
realizing the slower speed is better at allowing transients through BTW.

If for some reason, you don't see this in the next couple of days,
I'll e-mail you direct. Just thought this info would be good for others planning on using this type of compressor.

Thanks
Chris
 
Isn't a meek just all about playing with the knobs until it sounds right?
Anyway, the manual that comes with it has a lot of ideas about how to use the compressor on different kinds of sources.
My VC6Q even came with a page with pictures of suggested knob positions. Not saying that it was bad advice, I tried those settings for one day, then I threw them in a corner and went my own way.
If you can't wait, you can download the manual at http://www.joemeek.net
 
Thanks for your response Christiaan.

Alan knows that although I'm familiar with the suggested "manual" settings, having had the VC3Q and VC6Q,
he's had so MUCH experience with the Meek boxes he's bound
to offer some new food for thought!
Rather than totally re-inventing the wheel, having a professional
engineer to help flesh this stuff out helps to save me hours of
experimentation. (off the hours already planned anyway)

Chris
 
Hey Chris,

Sorry but I am running through airports on the way to the UK. I will get back to you on this one...
 
No rush, I'll just have to tell the guys in U2 they just have to wait
before they can be recorded!

Thanks
Chris
 
Just received the MC2 yesterday and have had a chance to
experiment on solo voice and complete mixes.

The settings shown in the manual do seem as though they are
resonable starting points.
Altering the "release" dial makes a big difference on how close or
far the bass (instrument) seems to be.

Just wondering when puttiing a line level source in, if this is like
the other Meek's where this should be pinned at +4 (red), with
occasional peaks at +8(red)? Been putting the compression dial
up to "9" to get 2-4 dB reduction (is that too high?)

Definitely makes a digital source sound more "analog" due to the
fattening effect of the compressor IMHO. It also seems like the
musical source is closer and more up front.
All in all, relieved to have a Meek back in the house!

Chris
 
chessparov said:
Just received the MC2 yesterday and have had a chance to
experiment on solo voice and complete mixes.

Just wondering when puttiing a line level source in, if this is like
the other Meek's where this should be pinned at +4 (red), with
occasional peaks at +8(red)? Been putting the compression dial
up to "9" to get 2-4 dB reduction (is that too high?)

Definitely makes a digital source sound more "analog" due to the
fattening effect of the compressor IMHO. It also seems like the
musical source is closer and more up front.
All in all, relieved to have a Meek back in the house!

Chris
Click to expand...

Chess,

The C2 is a weird animal. The input like way more than +4, however you cant push the front that high until you have the compressor in. Once it is in, you can crank up the front end. Then you will see those yellow gain reduction lights come to life.

Now, not many like that heavy of a compression, but for drum sub mixes, it is friggin killer. Since this unit uses a newer photo sensor, it behaves just a little different from the C2. If you want heavier compression setting, slow down the attack to about 3 or 4ms, and the release about at 750ms. Crank the input real hard...+15 and set the compression at 8, that will kick you in the butt.

Otherwise, for lighter stuff, the unit is straight forward and you should not have any problems with it.
 
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