wiring? mixer>compressor>mp3 player

[VEGADAMUS]

Hello everyone,
I had a question about wiring my mixer (behringer x1832usb) to a compressor I just got (behringer pro xl mdx2600) to an MP3 player. I never used a compressor before so I'm not sure what wires I need and where to hook em up too. Any help you can give is appreciated. Right now my mp3 player is connected to the stereo in on my mixer.

 

[Mr. June]

Not sure why you'd want to hook up a compressor to a MP3 player, but you'd have to go MP3 out to Comp in, then Comp out to Mixer in. For what it's worth, you'd have to buy a couple adapters/cables to get it to work properly...and for no real advantage. I'd do some reading up on compressors and their purpose in the studio.

 

[ido1957]

Channel inserts on each mono channel for flexible connection of outboard equipment. No main insert.
MP3 Player headphone out -> Split headphone to two 1/4" jacks -> plug the 1'4" jacks into inputs 1 and 2 of the compressor. Then route the compressor outputs (1 and 2) via 1/4" or XLR back to two inputs of your mixer. Set the compressor to linked stereo so the compression is the same on both sides (or set the knobs the same).

 

[VEGADAMUS]

thanks ido!

Mr. June, I'm starting a podcast about music and wanted to play music during the show, I saw this set up on youtube and the tutorial said it would be used for ducking so you dont have to yell over the music. The person explains it here
Podcasting Gear and Cabling - YouTube

 

[bouldersoundguy]

In addition to passing signal from the iPod through the compressor and into the mixer, you need to send signal from the microphone to the sidechain input of the compressor. You can get that signal from a mixer's aux send, sub group, direct output or the like.

And you should link the two channels of the compressor.

 

[Bobbsy]

Sigh. I guess I'm old fashioned, but I'd personally prefer the control I'd have if I just pulled down the MP3 channels slightly when somebody is talking and push it back up when you want just the music. DJs have been working that way (without automatic ducking) for years.

Where I would use the hardware compressor though is on the main mix output to even off levels of the whole programme before "transmission". Podcasts are often listened to on earbuds in noisy areas so a smaller dynamic range than normally desired tends to work better.

...but I'm an old fashioned geriatric git!

 

[VEGADAMUS]

In addition to passing signal from the iPod through the compressor and into the mixer, you need to send signal from the microphone to the sidechain input of the compressor. You can get that signal from a mixer's aux send, sub group, direct output or the like.

And you should link the two channels of the compressor.

would i still have to do this if my mixer has built in compressor for the mic lines?

 

[Bobbsy]

would i still have to do this if my mixer has built in compressor for the mic lines?

Yes. I watched that Youtube video. The guy who posted it was using the mixer compression to even out level differences among the mics and specifically mentioned using a sidechain compressor to dip the music level when people are talking.

To try and explain it in a couple of sentences, "side chain compression" uses sound from one source to control the compression of another source. In this case, the sound from the mics is used to turn on compression to lower the music level--and when there is no sound from the mics, the compressor turns off and the music goes back up to full level.

 

[VEGADAMUS]

Yes. I watched that Youtube video. The guy who posted it was using the mixer compression to even out level differences among the mics and specifically mentioned using a sidechain compressor to dip the music level when people are talking.

To try and explain it in a couple of sentences, "side chain compression" uses sound from one source to control the compression of another source. In this case, the sound from the mics is used to turn on compression to lower the music level--and when there is no sound from the mics, the compressor turns off and the music goes back up to full level.

Thank you! I was planning on using the compressor when and if we have a guest MC. So when he raps/sings over the mic the mp3 player wont overpower his/her voice.

I plan on doing it the old fashioned way like yourself when we're just talking and playing random tracks.