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Junior Varsity
Compressor novice... need starting point for rock vocals
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<blockquote data-quote="Eric Cagle" data-source="post: 48017" data-attributes="member: 277"><p>Re: Compressor novice... need starting point for rock vocals</p><p></p><p>+1 on what everyone else has said. All very good points. Nice details by Mike. The 166XL is a VCA unit if you did not already know that. Evan's settings are spot on for any of the DBX units I have ever used as a place to start, especially the 0db threshold and turning off the absolutely terrible sounding peak stop limiter. I am going to add a few things to it. If your singer is all over the map with dynamic range you will want to go to a 3:1 but no more than 4:1 ratio to smooth her out a little more. Less is better if it gets the job done but I have a feeling you will need at least 3:1. If you are gained in correctly the the gain reduction lights should occasionally just come on 1 or 2 lights in over-easy mode or just an occasional tickle in regular mode during normal singing. This is a guide whether using it on a vocal bus or as a channel insert. I don't usually use the over-easy for vocals but it is just a preference. When she starts to belt it out the compressor will grab on and you will see several db of reduction happening, hopefully never more than 4 or 5 LED's worth (8-10db...... again less is better but if she is all over the map you will see some reduction.) </p><p></p><p>Significant improvements can be made as you learn to use it and set your own attack and release times but but those settings are pretty bomb proof starting out. I would strongly suggest a compressor on the Bass guitar if you are taking a direct out and running it through the PA but it requires a different set up to sound good.</p><p></p><p>I much prefer the sound of the 1066 to the 166 series but you can use can use it as a main out insert to smooth out your mix if you are careful. In this case especially less is more so if you do it be very careful. Same settings, 2:1 is better on the ratio. Hit the contour button which will let a little more kik come through. Back the attack and release times to 9:00 as a place to start to let more of the drum transients come through. Depending on how you mix, only the drums should tickle the gain reduction lights during music only. Roll the threshold up a few db if you need to. The lead vocal should should trigger the gain reduction on her loudest parts 6 db or less. It will push the rest of the music down a little when the vocalist sings and smooth her out. This might not work if your singer is real inconsistant but again just a place to start if you have only one compressor. If you are running mono you could use one side for the mains and one side for the bass guitar if it is taken direct (as opposed to mic'd) through the PA. You could also use one side to tame the vocals a little bit if you didn't use it on bass. Just some suggestions of places to start.</p><p></p><p>The best way I know of to learn what your compressor will do is to record a few individual tracks and maybe a board tape, patch it in and listen through a decent set of head phones in your spare time. Read the manual and research a little bit. Turn the knobs and listen to what each does to the sound. Then ask some more questions. Good luck!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Eric Cagle, post: 48017, member: 277"] Re: Compressor novice... need starting point for rock vocals +1 on what everyone else has said. All very good points. Nice details by Mike. The 166XL is a VCA unit if you did not already know that. Evan's settings are spot on for any of the DBX units I have ever used as a place to start, especially the 0db threshold and turning off the absolutely terrible sounding peak stop limiter. I am going to add a few things to it. If your singer is all over the map with dynamic range you will want to go to a 3:1 but no more than 4:1 ratio to smooth her out a little more. Less is better if it gets the job done but I have a feeling you will need at least 3:1. If you are gained in correctly the the gain reduction lights should occasionally just come on 1 or 2 lights in over-easy mode or just an occasional tickle in regular mode during normal singing. This is a guide whether using it on a vocal bus or as a channel insert. I don't usually use the over-easy for vocals but it is just a preference. When she starts to belt it out the compressor will grab on and you will see several db of reduction happening, hopefully never more than 4 or 5 LED's worth (8-10db...... again less is better but if she is all over the map you will see some reduction.) Significant improvements can be made as you learn to use it and set your own attack and release times but but those settings are pretty bomb proof starting out. I would strongly suggest a compressor on the Bass guitar if you are taking a direct out and running it through the PA but it requires a different set up to sound good. I much prefer the sound of the 1066 to the 166 series but you can use can use it as a main out insert to smooth out your mix if you are careful. In this case especially less is more so if you do it be very careful. Same settings, 2:1 is better on the ratio. Hit the contour button which will let a little more kik come through. Back the attack and release times to 9:00 as a place to start to let more of the drum transients come through. Depending on how you mix, only the drums should tickle the gain reduction lights during music only. Roll the threshold up a few db if you need to. The lead vocal should should trigger the gain reduction on her loudest parts 6 db or less. It will push the rest of the music down a little when the vocalist sings and smooth her out. This might not work if your singer is real inconsistant but again just a place to start if you have only one compressor. If you are running mono you could use one side for the mains and one side for the bass guitar if it is taken direct (as opposed to mic'd) through the PA. You could also use one side to tame the vocals a little bit if you didn't use it on bass. Just some suggestions of places to start. The best way I know of to learn what your compressor will do is to record a few individual tracks and maybe a board tape, patch it in and listen through a decent set of head phones in your spare time. Read the manual and research a little bit. Turn the knobs and listen to what each does to the sound. Then ask some more questions. Good luck! [/QUOTE]
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