Soundboard Basics 10 - Basic use of a compressor

[selatik1]

In future videos, please don't play background music — it's distracting. Of course, music is OK during an actual demo on how the unit works, but other than that, no distracting background sounds would help your viewers to focus on the technical material in your presentation.

It's best to script what you are going to say, so as to eliminate most of the extraneous banter. As you know, framing the shot properly is usually a good idea. And never apologize for screw-ups during your presentation.

[orionsax7]

Question. I have a much smaller mixer. Behringer X2442USB. It has independent built-in compression knobs for each of the mic input channels. The knob reads from 0 to 10. The manual the mixer came with is pretty much crap. How would these one-knob compressors work? I'm assuming that it is compressing more as you get closer to 10? When messing around with a mp3 on channel one and raising the compression knob, the PFL signal is getting louder. I reduce the gain on the channel to bring it back to 0

[motojeff]

@orionsax7 Most likely the knob is simply setting the threshold where the compressor begins to compress the input. Its Probably at a 4:1 ratio,

[IndepthMusic1]

@orionsax7 I have had the same expearience with a newer yamaha mixer which featured the built in "one knob" compressor... The bottom line is, with these cheaper mixers, you really dont know what your getting in terms of its compressor feature... Good compression depends on setting the right threshold, at the right compression ratio, with good attack and release times... How does one do this with only one knob? its highly recomended you get an external compressor for your work.

[gothicjokercro]

thanks jeff. :D

[bootersdad]

Jeff It cool what you do but honestly you seriously need to use a tripod. Having to watch this shaking is very annoying

[PattyWhomperOFFICIAL]

lol he has a studio but he's using the internal camera mic... what a pro...

[motojeff]

@PattyWhomperOFFICIAL First off, It is my office. I do live sound and do not have a studio.

Second, I made these videos for free for anyone who wants to watch them. I dont make money from them and am not dropping $1000 on a camera so you can have slightly better sound.

Third, if you are so good you can make your own instructional videos for people.

Fourth -- Thanks for watching anyway...

[rjmprod]

Let me make a suggestion, anchor the cam and point it to the subject, the compressor. Also try and use the proper sound source for what your trying to explain. Your explanations are good, but the things I mentioned would keep me from watching any other of your videos. Just trying to be helpful, not bitchin.

thanx

[motojeff]

@rjmprod as I have said before to others. I do this to help people and don't make money from the videos so I don't invest in video equipment. Thanks for watching though.

[LDNURECS]

U said "this is kinda weird and this ratio thing doesnt make a whole lot of sense".. are u serious?? lol

[motojeff]

@LDNURECS It does if you read the manuals,,, but too much math about signal db and so on to explain here.

[LDNURECS]

@motojeff

Its not too much math to explain at all, and I understand how compression works my friend I dont need to be reading the manual..

Maybe u should learn how these things work before posting instructional videos tho

[selatik1]

Hold that fricking camera still, and learn public speaking skills. Worst job of explaining this ever.

[motojeff]

@selatik1 Thanks,,, I make these to help people, not to make money. Your postive words are encouraging.

[rjmprod]

@motojeff

This is the worst explanation of a compressor I ever heard. Your mixing up gates and compressors so no one knows what the hell your talking about. The compressor your demonstrating with happens to have both, not all compressors have gates too so this is a terrible explanation for a novice user and totally useless for some one that knows about such equipment. Really dude, before you do any more vids, please prepare.

[IndepthMusic1]

@rjmprod check out my videos and leave feedback

[outjet]

@motojeff lol.  thanks for putting the vids together.

[ChompTrax]

a couple of things...1. when explaining how a "gate" works, you may want to include the "key" function and how it opens the gate. 2. i've NEVER heard of any vocals being compressed at 8:1 ratio. when using a 10:1 ratio, you're getting close to hard limiting.

[motojeff]

@ChompTrax the video is "basic use" 8:1 can be used for speakers who have a tendency to get overly loud.

If you would, rather than asking me to elaborate. Go ahead and post your experience with compressor use for others to see. Everyone has different uses, so its good to share. Thanks

[rich12019]

These tutorials are great. I just recently volunteered to help out at our church. The problem is .. no can actually show me what is happening if I move something. I'm electronically smart; being a HAM radio operator for decades but I need more tutoring. Please keep up the good work.

[kilmac]

would that be a scottish rugby top you're wearing? :)

[motojeff]

@kilmac No, but I am a fan of rugby..

[nychotboy123]

wow i learn so much seeing this

[6969bluedog1]

Great videos So helpful  Thanks

[stewieisbest]

Yeaa these help, But what is the point for and AUX return?

[TUBEORATER]

@stewieisbest Signal feed for monitors and FX

[Sweeper5]

Jeff, this series of videos has been so useful and informative to me. I want to thank you for posting this stuff, as it sure has "firmed up" a lot of things I always wondered about. Very clear and informative. Thanks!

[motojeff]

Thank you

[alroundj]

Hi Jeff.. I want to install 1 2 channel compressor/gate into 4 channels of vocal and drums. How can I hook 1 comressor into multiple channels without putting it through everything?

[motojeff]

@alroundj You can feed the drums through a subgroup and compress that. Careful though, too much compression will make it sound muddy.

[motojeff]

I have a question, I have had a LOT of emails asking me to make a quality DVD covering all of this information. I am considering this but before I do (and spend the money to make it)- can you give a thumbs up to this comment if you honestly think you would purchase a DVD covering everything from mixers, to equipment to speaker and amp set up? Thanks, Jeff

[jmyler]

FYI I don't think you can thumbs up or down author comments.

[motojeff]

I thought I just couldnt see the thumbs because it was my post.... hmmm, well maybe they can thumbs up your comment if they would like me to make a professional video of all the mixer settings and uses...

[jmyler]

I would be interested depending on the price.

[wneise]

How do you feel about using a house EQ to compensate for environment and equipment deficiencies. ie using an audio meter and tone generator to zero across the frequency spectrum then cover it up and forget it.

[motojeff]

Here is my feelings on house eq's.

I personally dont use them, however, that being said I have a system that is balance and doesn't need a room eq. Pink noise generators and tone generators can make a room flat, but that doesn't sound natural.

An empty room will eq drastically differently than a full room which will eat up the bass and high end.

Most audio meters don't have calibrated mics either and will not record flat. I have a calibrated mic for a drive-rack and its $110.

[motojeff]

Last,,, I suggest you learn the bands on an eq, What they sound like and when something changes you can reach over and adjust that frequency. Things change too often, even by the size of the crowd, the humidity, the location of the crowd, if its a tight packed crowd or spread out. The best tool a soundguy has is his or her ears. Wear earplugs whenever you're around loud noise!!!!!!

[mountebank1]

layer eq compress limit

four gospels of music production (and panning the bastard child)

[motojeff]

@mountebank1 --- Honestly I don't understand what you meant by that

[pizzaking425]

I have to say that i disagree with your comment about using a gate on a kick drum instead of a compressor. I prefer to use a compresser with a slow enough attack that it doesn't turn down the attack and a fast enough release that the gain reduction will dissapear before the next kick hit to give the kick more attack. The only time that I use a gate on a kick is to cut long decays. this will also tighten up the kick.  these techniques will help give you more definition between the kick + bass.

[pizzaking425]

another good example though! keep up the good work, its a good thing for starters to learn.

[motojeff]

@pizzaking425 --- I guess I should have mentioned that it depends on what kick mic you are using and the style of kick drum.

Also the types of music, jazz and that type Ilike a full flurry kick with no gate, rock and roll I use more gate to give the kick for bite.

[teklin85]

good good and cool

[delacerdaa]

do you keep the EQ the same for any size venue?

[motojeff]

That really depends on what you are eq'ing. But generally no. If you have a sound system that is yours and you use the same monitors and microphones you can get a good feel for the eq settings. Some things like acoustic guitars are prone to feeding back so you may get a setting that works well with a single guitar.

[delacerdaa]

i was asking about the main EQ, not the channel EQ`s on the board.

[motojeff]

The house EQ will have to be adjusted for each venue.

- for the record, I prefer balancing the system over having a house eq. EQ's are comb filters and if you can get away with not using them you will have better sound.

[delacerdaa]

do you change the compressors settings with every gig? depending on the size of the hall your at?

[delacerdaa]

is there a general setting for BIG venues and small venues to set the house EQ?

I`m barely getting my feet wet in sound engineering. I use headphones to listen to everything when i`m adjusting the sound for that gig

[mountebank1]

;S

hear your mix as many different set of speaks you can

including that shitty cd player you have in the kitchen

make sure it's all clear and you can hear everything clearly.

run your sound through a spectral analyser

you should be getting anice "smile" shape

remember. your ear hears frequencies between 1khz - 3.5 khz two to three times as loud as your bass frequencies

NEVER LET ANYTHING CLIP.

NEVER USE COMPRESSING TO "anti" clip.

if the signal is already clipping. lower it from source

[motojeff]

@mountebank1 --- Good information, I would like to add that you can practice eq'ing all of those speakers and sources to get the best sound. This will help you get a natural feel...

and yes yes yes.,.... Hes absolutely right in saying that your ears hear best at 1,000Hz. A flat room sounds like am radio to a human.

[davehikah]

Thnx.

[ultramegadudesupper]

I'm glad the soundboard is laying flat this time ... lol

[motojeff]

@ultramegadudesupper -- Thanks :-)

[djalbert2684]

hey thanks for the videos man they are teaching me alot keep them coming bro 5 star from me

[itsj1train]

sweet, thx for the info!!

[motojeff]

Ill re make this video,,, I dont like the camera . Sorry guys