
Steenamaroo
...
I didn't assume you were an idiot.
I made that decision based on the evidence
You're in the noob section with a self confessed 'stupid question'. Roll with the punches.
DBX q+a says
Q:I plugged my microphone into the compressor, but the signal is very weak. What is wrong?
A: The dbx compressors are line level devices. A microphone will not provide enough level to drive the compressor. You will need to plug into a preamp first, then into the compressor.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
I made that decision based on the evidence

You're in the noob section with a self confessed 'stupid question'. Roll with the punches.
DBX q+a says
Q:I plugged my microphone into the compressor, but the signal is very weak. What is wrong?
A: The dbx compressors are line level devices. A microphone will not provide enough level to drive the compressor. You will need to plug into a preamp first, then into the compressor.
I couldn't have said it better myself.