been playing around with an SSL 384 on the mix. I was told the "go to setting" on this box is 2 or 4:1, attack at 1 (two clicks from left) and release on auto. This at first seemed like pretty fast to me because I usually use really slow attack and fast release on two buss comp but for some reason on the SSL, when you hit the 1, it adds more of a "smack" with the drum transients.. I'm figuring out now if I like that or not... But I was wondering how you set the thing. Also I was warned to not be afraid of 4:1 and I agree that the 4:1 setting on the mix just sounded better then the 2:1 on almost every attack setting on every mix I threw in it. Thanks for your comments.

The starting point on my C2 is slowest attack (30) and fastest release (.1), 3:1 and 2 to 4 db compression. Tweak to taste depending on the material.

Nic

Twist the knobs around untill it suits the LOUDEST part of the track... then perhaps back it off a little

use a fader to feed the comp, you'll thank me later!!!

I started a post on Randy Staub in another forum.. I know he's an SSL guy and I assume he uses the mix comp.. anyone know what his settings are or any of the other big rock guys? He has such a great smack on his mixes. The slower attack on the SSL doesn't deliver the pop like the slightly faster ones do, mainly the "1" setting.

I like and probably only use the slowest setting.

slowest or next-to slowest for me.

Thrill, junior, auto release though right??? I found it loses a lot of transparency as soon as its taken off auto release.

For mixbuss work 99% its auto release.

Funny, I rarely use auto release. Usually around .6 but depends on the tempo and low end content.

i have a 4056 g console....LOVE the quad bus comp....modern rock stuff is almost always attack at 1....auto release....squash to taste...i like to bypass the master fader and patch the quad comp after the st out of the ssl...that way i can hit the master bus as hard as i want to get some heat...and then hit the quad comp before hitting tape.....it works for me..

i also have a trident...and would love to get an external ssl quad comp for it...i prefer the trident overall for eq's and the sound....but that bus comp is the ssl sound to me.

i agree that i can actually get MORE smack out of the drums with those settings...but i am MIXING WITH IT ON THE WHOLE TIME !!!

cheers,
j

if you bypass the MF and use the quad comp as stereo bus compressor, how do you attenuate your signal going to tape if it's too hot? Or do you have a mod on the compressor's output gain?

Or do you have a mod on the compressor's output gain...


you got it...(please dont ask about it...my head might explode !!! I am NOT a tech guy...just turn it until it sounds right!!!) we had the tech who commissioned it do this mod...just have an output knob that does the trick...also really helps when using the quad on an insert for drum buss compression duty...on our board...(we still have a E center section....bypassing the master fader is a HUGE difference in the sound..

he (keith the tech) told us about a mod to patch into the listen mic also (ala hugh padgam)...did not do that however....curious if anyone else here has...

cheers,
j

I tend to use the faster attack settings, they sound more record like to me. I mix with the thing on from the begining. I usually use the auto release.

same here...

John

i guess i'm the only one who likes 10:1 ( 1 for attack and .6 for release -sometimes auto). i'm usually just moving the meter, maybe 2, 3 db tops. always more punchy for me. i like to add a few db on the output knob as well.
great mix box

For me it's 10 or 30 (two longest) Attack most of the time.

with shorter attack times it can get a bit bass-light occasionally.

what's your 'go' ratio Thrill?

I'm usually at 10:1(just sounds more open), attack at 1 or the slowest setting depending on the song, release on auto, barely moving the meter at all.
Sean

2:1 or 4:1 most of the time.

10:1 on a rare occasion.

How do you do that ?

Keep the settings coming guys. Its very interesting to see what everybody else uses on such a aggressive compressor. Even with it being so dependant on source etc...

On the master buss I generally use slower attack times and auto release. Ratio = 2:1, and sometimes 4:1. It's good to keep in mind that the compressor's knee gets sharper with higher ratio's. A little SSL goes a long way!

How do you seperate the quad comp from the master fader??

In the G desk that I use they are one unit, because the masterfader uses of course the same VCA.

Or did you mean you use a group as new master fader to hit the quad comp?

I still don't get what the difference is, because the group would be first anyway and I can hit the comp as hard as I want. Please enlighten me!

Or buy a Ridge Farm Boiler as I have done. It's a listen mic/talkbalk compressor in a 19" rack, at least that's what they say.

You can do it on the patchbay or you can mod it.

If on the patchbay go in thru the side chain.

Or you can modifiy the comp and patchbay(a very easy mod).

On my patchbay there is no sidechain for the compressor. I'm talking about a G desk.

I have a Pre and Post VCA insert. that's about it. That way I bypass Quad Comp & Masterfader.

I still don't understand how you can seperate the Masterfader from the Quad Comp. Don't they share the same VCA?

They all have side chains.

Its one of the tricks you can use on SSL's to go into the comp without going through the mixbuss.

Lets say you want to use the Quad comp on your drumsub and a different comp on the mixbuss(which i do all the time).


Feed(or patch) a drumsub group into the side chain of the Buss comp and return it on 2 channels.

Use the pre VCA insert send to feed the seperate mixbuss comp.

Send the output of the mixbuss comp straight to tape or to a super outboard fader(me) and then feed the tape(or Masterlink).

Voila mix is done. heh

Are you doing Dance music only ?

This is a very strange way to use this comp on two buss

I still don't get it. There is no sidechain on my PB. Look at the picture.

To do what you want to do I go with the Drumsub into the pre VCA ins return and bring the post VCA ins send up on two channels.

Whereas for the mixbuss I go from pre VCA send into the comp of my choice and from there back into post VCA return.

I still don't get how mixman499 said before can you split the masterfader from the quad compressor. When I put the quad comp onto my drum sub I also have the masterfader there since it feeds the same VCA.

Can you answer that thrill?

Hi,

First of all your patch bay looks as messy as mine. heh

I don't have the schematic in front of me but there are 2 patch points that are dedicated for the side chain.

On my patchbay(which the labeling has worn off after constant abuse)i marked with a piece of tape.

Mixman 499 has a modded SSL obviously.

He probably has patchpoints directly to the patchbay for the inputs and outputs of the quad comp bypassing the master fader altogether.

This is a common mod.

You can purchase an outboard fader if you like.

I have a very transparent outboard fader as well.