I am experimenting on set and forget light compression on the master buss to glue the mix together going to FOH.
At the moment MD drums are being compressed via the internal master compressor and going out to a mixer via a thru track into Octa and out the cue inputs.
Sampled synths in Octa have per track compression where necessary from the Octa compressor and then going out to the mixer via the main outputs.
So a compressor from the mixer outs to FOH seems like the best option.
With varying dynamic range and material from track to track, do you think it is possible to set a compressor for this task and not have to change the settings during a live set? For the most part the material is quite drum heavy…
I would be interested in any views on this and compressor settings that you think are suitable for this application. I will be using either a FMR RNC1773 or a FMR RNLA.
I am using a FMR RNC 1773 for my live sets with the following settings…
Nice Mode = ON
Threshold = neg 8
Comp = 2:1 or a bit less
Attack = .3
Release = between .6 and 2.0
Gain = to your liking adjust accordingly
The RNC is quite transparent but does round out and tame the mix…
Studio use I use a ART PRO VLA II leveling amp which warms up the mix and can tame things and then squash and make it pump… I would use this live but my raodcase has no room for it…
Have not used the RNLA but it may be your best bet from what I have read I was considering one but got the ART…
Great for side chaining but not great for overall mix…[/quote]
Depends on what kind of a sound you’re looking for. For standard 2-bus compressing duties it’s not very good. For instant distorted ghetto techno sound it’s great.
It does a great “fire-and-forget” job on the master bus! at least as far as I can assess the quality of compression as a musician not engineer. then again the Dynamaxx seems like a perfect tool for people that do not always know what they’re doing
If the audio signal contains short loud peaks, this thing can also quickly turn into a limiter, punching those peaks down. What’s also interesting to know about the Dynamaxx is that sounds very gentle and nice (no distortions etc) even when pushed really hard. I tried this by adjusting my setup so that the Dynamaxx is pumping about -1db’s and then increasing the volume on the mixer by 100%. It almost sounded as if nothing would change or if the main volume knob on the mixer were defect (of course the sound became “fuller”), but when turning the Dynamaxx off the sound became very loud. Much nicer than a usual brickwall limiter and compressor/limiter at the same time, depending on the input signal.
@RNLA: great little punchy drum compressor. main advantage is the log release for much more dynamic pumping than with linear release. however, I’m not sure if that’s the best choice on the master bus, at least when you can’t resist against the “come-on-let’s push it little harder and harder” syndrome on stage. I mainly use it for nicely swinging sidechaining.
Edit: I just remembered Trond talking about the fun he had during a live show while pushing his new comp (wasn’t it a RNLA) harder and harder. The RNLA is a nice little, good-sounding fun/FX comp, the Dynamaxx is the more “rational” choice to keep everything sorted.
Yeah not looking for too much colouration. Just to glue drums, synths and vox samples together a bit before hitting FOH. The RNC is mostly transparent and seems to do a good enough job.
I will insert the RNLA when I get it back (soon I hope) and see how it sounds on the master. I know it is not as transparent as the RNC.
Not really looking for a new comp at the moment. Gotta make do with what I have for now. Just bought two new synths so I got to behave
Also, Elysia Xpressor, it has super fast if not the fastest peak reduction (Auto Fast) among HW compressors. Available in standard 1U rack version or 500 series. Not to mention is super flexible and creative compressor, with negative ratio setups, gain reduction limiter . warm mode, log release etc. it just kicks ass IMO.
Ruben ,the man behind Elysia crafting is also the mastermind of SPLs’ Mixdream and Transient Designer and some other SPL stuff
Another option if decide to misbehave again , is a TC Finalizer or Quantum DBX… You can send program changes from MD/MM or OT to change patches per song. A more personalised set & forget.
Finalizer can even use the RNC as a send/return effect. I use an Overstayer VCA instead of, but sure the RNC would be fine, & its compact.
Stop talking about all these compressors! My GAS is easily triggered…
I can send PGM messages for a more tailored comp to my DP4, but fuck carrying that thing around.
Jeffe I think you might ultimately be right here. Gonna give it a test run anyways to see if it adds anything worthwhile.
