How to: Compressors?

[Magic]

Okay, I have a basic understanding of sound and mixing but I recently came across a PA with compressors in the effects rack which all the mics were hooked up to through the desk.

 

What do compressors do and how do you set them up? I want to increase my knowledge but their is no manual with the compressors and I don't know how to find out any more info.

 

The units were Behringer MDX4600 Multicom Pro-XL. Anyone care to share their knoweldge and educate me in the dark arts of compressors? What do all the twidlly knobs actually do?

 

Regards.

[Tree Tordoff]

You've been a member on this forum long enough to have read this before, but here's my version....

 

Compressors work in different ways but here is effectivly what they do.....

the compressor "listens" to the signal going through it and if it "thinks" its too loud then it turns it down a bit. Its like having a magic assistant "riding" the fader for you.

 

The knobs on the front ;

control the level at which it thinks its too loud; threshold,

and the amount it turns down; ratio.

Some compressors can also change their reaction time....thinks its too loud then waits abit before turning down, hey its quiet again, so lets not bother.

and the time it keeps it turned down for.

 

Sounds wonderful, but remember the magic assistant helping you is not always a good sound engineer.

 

 

Tree.

[Bobbsy]

My second time today to recommend a Rane Note, but they ARE good.

 

For a more detailed look at compressors, visit: http://www.rane.com/note155.html

 

Have a look at "Dynamics Processors Basics" and "Basic Compressors" in particular.

 

Bob

[Just Some Bloke]

Have a look at this thread which has a lot of basic information on how compressors work.

 

I used the search function above to find it for you. It's really useful. :)