Advice on hardware compressor at DVinfo.net

Cris McConkey · February 1st, 2006, 12:40 PM

I have a Mackie mixer that I use for panel discussion, typically four microphones for panelists and a wireless handheld for moderator and Q&A.

I think it would greatly improve matters to have a hardware compressor/limiter, but for economy, I've been considering that on the mixer stereo output and not individual channel inputs.

What problems would might I be getting into here?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 1st, 2006, 12:50 PM

The only real problems would be if you had an expander turned on, and you had issues with low levels on some, and hot levels on others. In other words, don't expect a compressor to do everything for you. You'll very much need to set some levels, spend some time in set up. After doing so, the compressor is never a "bad"thing, as long as it's light. Remember that if you record with the compressor on, you're married to the compression. You can't "uncompress" audio.

Seth Bloombaum · February 1st, 2006, 12:55 PM

24 bit has been mentioned a couple times in this thread. In my experience, the availability of 24 bit recording has greatly reduced the need for input compression when recording. 24 bit rules!

As a practical matter, the increased resolution means that when you set your peaks to a conservative -12db or -18db, and suddenly the band hits a quiet section that is now peaking at -28db, you still have lots of resolution, where with 16 bit I used to hear digital rez artifacts when I brought that -28db material up in post mix.

February 1st, 2006, 12:40 PM	#1
Cris McConkey Tourist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trumansburg, NY Posts: 3	Advice on hardware compressor I have a Mackie mixer that I use for panel discussion, typically four microphones for panelists and a wireless handheld for moderator and Q&A. I think it would greatly improve matters to have a hardware compressor/limiter, but for economy, I've been considering that on the mixer stereo output and not individual channel inputs. What problems would might I be getting into here?

February 1st, 2006, 12:50 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	The only real problems would be if you had an expander turned on, and you had issues with low levels on some, and hot levels on others. In other words, don't expect a compressor to do everything for you. You'll very much need to set some levels, spend some time in set up. After doing so, the compressor is never a "bad"thing, as long as it's light. Remember that if you record with the compressor on, you're married to the compression. You can't "uncompress" audio. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 1st, 2006, 12:55 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	24 bit has been mentioned a couple times in this thread. In my experience, the availability of 24 bit recording has greatly reduced the need for input compression when recording. 24 bit rules! As a practical matter, the increased resolution means that when you set your peaks to a conservative -12db or -18db, and suddenly the band hits a quiet section that is now peaking at -28db, you still have lots of resolution, where with 16 bit I used to hear digital rez artifacts when I brought that -28db material up in post mix.