Outboard Reverb and Compression - Please Help

[jaeger]

Hi All! Capt. Newbie here with a couple of questions that should be simple for those that know what they are doing (..this excludes me..) with a live sound PA? So here it is:

First, I have a 4 channel compressor that I want to use to use on a kick, snare, bass and vocal channel, is a direct insert into each channel on the board the best way to go? I don't have group inserts, so I can't compress the grouped mix. Any thoughts here?

Second, for my outboard reverb I plan to run through the aux send, as I think is normal, but here's where I'm not sure? I have a single 1/4" send plug from my board, but my aux return to the board has stereo (L/R) returns. Are the L/R inputs on the reverb unit summed and then stereoed to the left and right outputs on the reverb unit? Is this normal?

Any help would be appresiated!

PS. Love the forums, I'm learning alot!


:classic:

[cmchamp]

Compression on inserts of the Kick, Snare and Bass guitar channels should be Ok. Your vocalist will have to get used to the comression on his vocal being sent to the monitors. (Assuming you're the FOH and Monitor guy!)

Verb, yes, usually, one of the inputs on the verb allows a stereo output. Depends on the verb you have as some have a left mono input and some have a right mono input. So yes, you will be able to get a stereo out from your verb.

Good luck.

[jaeger]

Thanks for the input, I never considered the compressed vocal being sent back on the monitor.. Is there anyway to avoid that if he doesn't like it?

[cmchamp]

There is one option. Here's something you can try if you can unassign a channel from the main output.
Using a 1/4" patch cable, place it in the insert of the vocal channel (say 7) just till it clicks once. Don't insert it all the way. This should opperate as a direct out. Run that into the next channels line in and run your compressor on it. That way you can send monitor signal from the un compressed channel and you can send your compressed vocal to the mains.

[jaeger]

Perfect...This will help alot. Thanks for the great info!!

[Screws]

There may be one other option for you.

If your mixer has group outs and a couple of channels that aren't being used you can send all the vocals to a group, take the group output to the compressor and bring the compressor output back to a channel on the board. We'll call this Channel X.

Make sure the group output is NOT being sent to the Stereo master outs, and make double sure that Channel X is not sent to the same group as the vocals. Send Channel X directly to the Stereo Master outs. VOILA! You have a group of compressed vocals.

You can do this with a group of Keyboards or drums or whatever and the monitors are not affected at all.

[xstatic]

Get an XLR split for the vocal channel, use one for mains and comp, the other for monitors. Then you get seperate EQ as well;) Plus you don't have to worry about a half plugged in cable moving:)