VS880EX compression/limiting

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fanbagglia

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Has anyone used the built in compressor and limiter effects on the VS880EX?

If so, do you use pre-fade or post-fade?

What specific effect (dual compressor/limiter, limiter, compressor) do you use for bass, drums, guitar, and vocals?

What are some of the settings you've used for each?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Compressors and limiters should be used as INSERTS, so you don't have the PRE/POST fade option.
The theory and settings for compressors is quite involved and very opinion-driven. Try experimenting and see what you think it sounds like. There really are no "rules". Most modern music uses a lot of compression, but many disagree with this practice. I like "a little". ratios of only 1.5 to 2 and thresholds such that the max reduction is only maybe -6 dB, but adjusted based on sound. Most of the time the music is just "tickling" the threshold. But I am no expert, and arrived at those settings by trial and error.

Rick
 
Yeah,I use 'em sometimes.The presets for Vox and Bass are a good starting point that you can tweak to suit your needs for a particular track.I also like some of the MTK presets,again,i mess around with the freq.and threshold to suit the track.
 
reply to fanbagglia

Hello again.

I mentioned in another post how I use compression. I always use the onboard Dual Compressor for drums, bass and vocals. There is nothing to set, as it is an "Insert." If you are recording two tracks of drums or vocal, use the "Insert L" and "Insert R" function to acheive stereo compression. It works great. I have found that it really smoothes out the levels. If you have, for instance, drum tracks that were recorded without compression, but you wish like hell they had been, just record them to two V tracks, using compression, them move them to wherever they need to be. IG: Drums on V Tracks 5-1 and 6-1 recorded with compression to V tracks 7-2 and 8-2, moved back to 5-2 and 6-2. Then just use the 5-2 and 6-2 tracks in you mix instead of the original uncompressed 5-1 and 6-1. Just make sure you insert the compression into the play (Green) mixer function of the tracks playing back (to be recorded). If they are inserted into the input (orange) function, they won't record.

Also, do use the "Mixdown" function for final mix. There are a number of pre set choices that add compression, delay, EQ, etc. I often use "Rock Band" and "Bright Mix" but there are a lot more. It is an Insert for the Master block. it is on all VS880-EXs with 2.0 and above. It can be added to older machines by installing the new softwear available free on the Roland web page.
 
How is the "Mixdown" function accessed on the 880. I have 2.05 but the book says nothing????
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!
 
Accessing Mixdown functions

I never can quite remember how to access the function without doing it. Download the file from Roland's web page that gives the instructions for 2.0. It lists the different functions available for mixdown and speaker modeling. They are all accessed as effects (inserts), but they have to be plugged in to the master block. To access the function, all effects (1 & 2) must be off. I am not at my Roland now, but to the best of my memory, I think you hit "Shift" and "Master" (The button that switches the mixer section from input [orange] to play [green] at the same time. You may have to punch Parameter -> or <-, but you will eventually be asked something like Master (something) on or off. I don't remember the exact phrase. Rotate the selector knob to yes, then punch "effect 1" and choose the desired effect for mix down, or speaker modeling. (Just as you normally do to select effect 1). I don't remember the numbers (C something), but they are at the end of the list of effects. The first one is "Pre Mix Down" I think, and some of the others are "Jingle Mix" "Hard Compress" "Soft Mix" "Rock Band" "Dance" "Bright", "Lo Cut", etc. The Speaker Modeling choices follow. Although you only select Effect 1, effect 2 cannot be used at the same time, as functions from both effect 1 & 2 are used to acheive the function.

I am sorry I wasn't more exact in the directions. My VS-880EX is in my studio, and I am not there. If you can't figure it out from the poor directions I have furnished, send another email and I will sit down at my 880 and write down the exact directions and send them to you.


Larry
 
Thanks for getting back so quick - I thnk I can figure it out from here!!!
Thanks again
 
Hey bloomington, I don't think you are going to find it unless you have the 880ex. I have a straight 880 and don't have mixdown effects.
 
Yeah,Larry's referring to a small group of patches in the 880EX v.2.0+ collectively known as "Mastering Tool Kit." I've often wondered why Roland hasn't made these available as a stand alone box like some of their reverbs etc. for folks like you.But,with the passage of time the 880EX's are coming down in price.They have an NOS one at my local GC for $899 right now...
 
I have the 880EX with 2.05 so I should be OK finding the "Mixdown" mode!!!!
 
880EX 2.05 Has Mastering Tools

Yes, 2.05 has the mastering tools. Anthing 2.0 and higher has the Mastering tools and Speaker Modeling. The manual furnished with the (my) 880EX mentioned nothing about it, even though the machine had 2.01 on it. I didn't even know about the functions until I read the short manual I downloaded from the Roland web page a year ago. It lists all the functions and explains their uses. I have since upgraded to 2.10, but have noticed no change in finctions.

Larry
 
v.2.011

I think you're referring to v.2.011,which essentially exists solely to correct the omission on the VS880EX of a "DC Cut" switch on the System menu.DC cut applies a sloping cut starting at approx.100hz and increasing as the frequency gets lower.It's there for those times when you're using the S/PDIF outputs to go to an older DAT machine,some of which freak out if given too much bass.In normal use you'd want this switch set to "off" but on the original 880EX it was permanantly "on" since they left out the switch...it only affects the digital outputs so you wouldn't notice it's action on the analog outs.
 
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