what is it about compressors?

  • Thread starter Thread starter andyouandi
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andyouandi

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the only way i know to set one up is using channel inserts on a mixer... and i was told this... i dont even own an insert cable. And I also heard that you can't use it with Aux send/returns (fx sends/returns)

what if i dont want to bring my mixer to a gig? how would i use it?

could I go bass > compressor > amp?

HELP THIS POOR AMATEUR! :(
 
You mean live at a gig? If your amp has an fx loop just plug it in like an effect. If you use a head/cab setup, just patch it between preamp & amp. Preampout-comp in-comp out-power amp. Hell, just plug the bass right into the compressor first if you want.

People generally use auxes on mixers to send the signal to an fx processor. Using an aux lets the original signal continue through the board, sends a copy out to a processor, and you bring signal plus fx back to the board and blend as you like. Really, you generally just bring the fx (ie reverb) back "wet", with no original signal, but the idea is you get to blend in fx as you like. With a compressor, you are looking to modify the original signal before it goes to the rest of the board. An insert point lets you do this.
 
andyouandi said:
the only way i know to set one up is using channel inserts on a mixer... and i was told this... i dont even own an insert cable. And I also heard that you can't use it with Aux send/returns (fx sends/returns)

what if i dont want to bring my mixer to a gig? how would i use it?

could I go bass > compressor > amp?

HELP THIS POOR AMATEUR! :(
Click to expand...

Dear Poor Amateur,

Buy an insert cable and you're done. You could also run line level out of your mixer to the compressor, and line out of your compressor to another device or back into another channel on your mixer.

The problem I see is you must get that instrument level signal to line level, and a preamp (your mixer's preamp should be fine) will do this. I don't think you'll be able to plug your bass directly into your compressor as your compressor will be set up to accept line level signals.

So keep your mixer with you as your preamp seems to be the solution. But you're going to have to spring for the $8 insert cable...

War ;)
 
You can plug a bass (or a guitar) right into a compressor and it will work. You will have to adjust the threshohold down a bit, but it will be fine.
 
Farview said:
You can plug a bass (or a guitar) right into a compressor and it will work. You will have to adjust the threshohold down a bit, but it will be fine.
Click to expand...
It's not going to work very well at all if the compressor is set for the +4dBu gain structure!
 
There is a gigantic list of whammy tap master guitarists and wizard bass players that have their rigs set up just like that. Some of them do have it in an fx loop, but mostly it's in front of the head or processor (where the gate is more effective)
The nominal output of a guitar is pretty low but the transients that you are trying to knock back aren't. I just plugged my bass into my DBX 1066 and with the threshold st at -15 at a 3/1 ratio my playing was 4 db into reduction. My guitar hit -12db of reduction with the same settings. It does work, it always has.
 
Warhead said:
Dear Poor Amateur,

Buy an insert cable and you're done. You could also run line level out of your mixer to the compressor, and line out of your compressor to another device or back into another channel on your mixer.
War ;)
Click to expand...

For the even poorer amateur:

What is an insert cable? How is it different from a typical cable?
 
dan the spectre said:
For the even poorer amateur:

What is an insert cable? How is it different from a typical cable?
Click to expand...

An insert cable is for the insert jack on a board. It's a 1/4 male TRS to two 1/4 males TS. The tip is hooked to one of the 1/4 and the sleave is hooked to the other. One is send and the other is return.
 
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