Compressors live- where would you insert

[theDBC]

It's a slow day at work, so here we go...

You have 2 distressors, 3 dbx 160x and 3 rnc (can be used as 1 channel mono or stereo)
Where would you insert them?

Before the distressors, I was using
1 160x on group 1 where I buss the kick and snare
1 rnc stereo on 3&4 where I buss the vocals
1 rnc stereo on the main insert after the eq
2 160x on the individual vocal channels when I have screamers

I don't really use the other rnc, but it's available if I want it. I don't comp individual drum channels, just a little bit of gate on the toms to stop feedback then send to buss 2 where there's a 266xl.

I am thinking of putting one distressor on the vocal group and use the other for the kick/ snare group and keeping the rnc on the mains. ditch the other 2 rnc and use the dbx on bass and vocals.

[peter-pan]

Kick 160X
Snare 160X
Bass 160X
Vocal Distressor
Vocal Distressor
RNC Master before the EQ

This is my personnal standard set up, most of the time less is better! Learn to drive the fader and mix the act before to add to many toy's.

JF

[plexisys]

1 stereo unit on the main stereo mix
1 stereo unit on the drum sub mix
1 stereo unit on the vocals sub mix

If I have keyboards I always have one there. I've seen to many huge volume swings from keyboard to keyboard and player to player. (drives me nuts)

The rest just on individual channels as needed.

[theDBC]

Originally Posted by peter-pan

Kick 160X
Snare 160X
Bass 160X
Vocal Distressor
Vocal Distressor
RNC Master before the EQ

This is my personnal standard set up, most of the time less is better! Learn to drive the fader and mix the act before to add to many toy's.

JF

I use less compression when possible, mostly to keep the peaks under control. If I was working with the same band every night I'd probably use even fewer. many of the bands we get are not the most disciplined, so I use some compression to keep things even. Not as a crutch, as a "just in case".
Mixing a band is no trouble, inconsistent drummers and singers are.

[Samc]

Originally Posted by theDBC

It's a slow day at work, so here we go...

You have 2 distressors, 3 dbx 160x and 3 rnc (can be used as 1 channel mono or stereo)
Where would you insert them?

The first question for me is do I have to use them?

[Samc]

Originally Posted by theDBC

Mixing a band is no trouble, inconsistent drummers and singers are.

And what happens when those inconsistent drummers and singers are also part of the band?

[valleysound]

I almost never use a compressor on a kick, maybe once a year. I never use one on the mains. You should put the comp insert before the eq. Everytime you change the eq with a comp behind it, it changes how the comp is reacting to the signal. If your toms are feeding back then the correct tool would be to eq out the feedback. If the monitors are coming from FOH then comp the vocal bus. If there is a separate monitor console then comp the individual vocal channels and maybe one across the vocal bus.
This is all rather brief. Every situation is different. There are some bands I never use a comp and just ride the faders and other bands where the comps act as limiters because the band is inexperienced and can't control their dynamics.

[drtechno]

depends on the material....

I only use that stuff when I need it to have the right sound I'm looking for.

otherwise, simplicity is the best design;

granted, insert of comps on the channel helps in vocals, and bass and inconsistancies on guitar gain structures and add life to wimpy worn snare and bass drum.

I rarely use compressors on a groups, limiting I've done more on those.

master insert Ive used to use my foh eq w/limiting on, but now that was before the dbx driverack was invented.
I'll sometimes pop the eq in the foh master if I need a little bit more control (notching eq purposes)

[theDBC]

Originally Posted by valleysound

I almost never use a compressor on a kick, maybe once a year. I never use one on the mains. You should put the comp insert before the eq. Everytime you change the eq with a comp behind it, it changes how the comp is reacting to the signal. If your toms are feeding back then the correct tool would be to eq out the feedback. If the monitors are coming from FOH then comp the vocal bus. If there is a separate monitor console then comp the individual vocal channels and maybe one across the vocal bus.
This is all rather brief. Every situation is different. There are some bands I never use a comp and just ride the faders and other bands where the comps act as limiters because the band is inexperienced and can't control their dynamics.

I run the main insert into the EQ then to the comp and back into the insert. Nothing between the main outs and the crossover.