Pre DSP

[Robj]

Sorry if this is a stupid question.  On the Dl1608, is there a way to have reverb or delay on a channel in an aux mix without having compression, but have compression on a channel in the main mix?  I know compression on a monitor feed for a vocalist can be detrimental.  But most vocalists I've worked with all want some sort of reverb or delay, even on their monitor mix.

[RoadRanger]

Interesting point, you can have the "dry" voice pre-DSP in an aux but the reverb itself is generated from the post DSP voice. OTOH it's always been done this way AFAIK unless there is a separate monitor mixer - even on analog mixers. I wouldn't worry about it.

[WK154]

There seems to be some confusion on the use of channel eq's etc. I cannot see a value of two separate processes for an artists input unless you want to complicate your life. If the artist is happy with the single channel process and you can send that to the IEM or monitor for his/her feedback leave it be. I don't know of a successful artist that doesn't want to know what his customers (you know the ones that pay the tab) are hearing. The room acoustics are handled after the mix and compression and GEQ are available. Delay unfortunately is not available for speaker control.

[sam.spoons]

As far as I can tell no, it's not possible as the DSP works as a block.

I would like the option to have channel eq, reverb and gate on the aux but no compression for example. The logical conclusion of this would be aux taps between each element of the DSP and the ability to choose the order of the DSP elements (i.e. eq first or last, compression before or after reverb or aux send etc). This should be possible entirely in software.

[WK154]

Then you would love the features of the Acapela16 or the IS16 (mix and match orders of effects). Subgroups etc..

[walterw]

Sorry if this is a stupid question.  On the Dl1608, is there a way to have reverb or delay on a channel in an aux mix without having compression, but have compression on a channel in the main mix?

is this a trick question? set auxes "pre-DSP" as you should, then turn up the delay and/or reverb faders in each aux's mixer view as needed.

(i don't know why they call it pre-DSP; isn't the entire mixer "DSP"?  )

[Harpman]

Sorry if this is a stupid question.  On the Dl1608, is there a way to have reverb or delay on a channel in an aux mix without having compression, but have compression on a channel in the main mix?  I know compression on a monitor feed for a vocalist can be detrimental.  But most vocalists I've worked with all want some sort of reverb or delay, even on their monitor mix.

I never run compression on vocals main mix or monitors.  You lose the dynamics of the vocalist when you compress.  I do compress instrumentation, buy very sparingly.  If you are using compression to avoid FB issues, then you issues lie elsewhere (EQ, etc).  I've actually experienced compression on vocals causing FB due to incorrect compensation of makeup gain.  I've attached a couple of images that hopefully have come across.

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[Wynnd]

I can't see how compression would help with feedback.  You raise the floor while limiting the ceiling.  That's an easy way to increase feedback or reduce GBF.  (Gain Before Feedback) I've wondered if using gates might help reduce feedback by shutting off mics that aren't being sung into at the time.  In my band, we have 7 vocal mics and 2 horn mics.  Generally most harmonies parts are about 3 voices.  That's shutting down about 5 mics most of the night while not preventing anyone from using their mics.  (Might reduce drum bleed thru too.)  Any thoughts about this? 

[Greg C.]

I never run compression on vocals main mix or monitors.  You lose the dynamics of the vocalist when you compress.  I do compress instrumentation, buy very sparingly.

I can't imagine not using compression on vocals in the main mix, especially with a powerful PA system. Or even a weaker one for that matter. The human voice can be one of the most dynamic instruments you put through a PA. With a powerful system without compression, one moment a vocalist can be barely audible and then the next moment be blowing people out of the room. Compression helps with both situations. For weaker PA systems that might be lacking in headroom, compression can prevent the system from clipping but still maintain relative vocal "loudness" in the mix. When I'm using a full blown system with a lot of processing at my disposal, I use a combination of channel and bus compression. Channel compression is minimal, usually between 1.5:1 and 2:1 ratio with fast attack and release with the threshold set to kick in when things start getting to a "medium loud" level. Then the vocal bus compressor is set at ~6:1 with fast attack/release with the threshold set to kick in when vocals start to become a bit too loud. The 2 stage compression keeps things smooth since compression is minimal for relatively nominal vocal levels and only comes in hard when it needs to. The bus compression is also great for a lot of vocals simultaneously for harmonies and choruses where a lot of voices can get things really loud suddenly.

I make pretty liberal use of compression on instruments as well, but I'll leave that for another discussion.

[WK154]

I can't see how compression would help with feedback.  You raise the floor while limiting the ceiling.  That's an easy way to increase feedback or reduce GBF.  (Gain Before Feedback) I've wondered if using gates might help reduce feedback by shutting off mics that aren't being sung into at the time.  In my band, we have 7 vocal mics and 2 horn mics.  Generally most harmonies parts are about 3 voices.  That's shutting down about 5 mics most of the night while not preventing anyone from using their mics.  (Might reduce drum bleed thru too.)  Any thoughts about this?

One of the principal function of set it and forget it mixers such as the XAP800 and others is to reduce amplification by 3dB for each doubling of mic count. Accomplishing this without mixer automation is exhausting. Yes it allows for more gain before feedback and it works but setup is critical. DL gating isn't up to the job it needs more intelligence on the part of the mixer. Mute groups may help with this manual effort if four groups will cover your situation. Mic placement can sometimes get you much more than after the fact band aids. I would experiment with that first.

[Wynnd]

If I weren't playing at the same time, it might be an answer.  On the other hand, if I had bandmates that truly understood that you can get a good mix without blowing the speakers up, we wouldn't be having this conversation.  I figure that the frustration I have with that band will chase me away.  I'd doubt that I'll be working with them come February.

Already setting up a low volume group with all the PA in the backline and no monitors.  I can walk in right front of the speakers with my headset mic on and have no feedback issues.  It's such a pleasure to hear everything.  I've never even bothered to set the anti-feedback with these guys.

[WK154]

I never run compression on vocals main mix or monitors.  You lose the dynamics of the vocalist when you compress.  I do compress instrumentation, buy very sparingly.

I can't imagine not using compression on vocals in the main mix, especially with a powerful PA system. Or even a weaker one for that matter. The human voice can be one of the most dynamic instruments you put through a PA. With a powerful system without compression, one moment a vocalist can be barely audible and then the next moment be blowing people out of the room. Compression helps with both situations. For weaker PA systems that might be lacking in headroom, compression can prevent the system from clipping but still maintain relative vocal "loudness" in the mix. When I'm using a full blown system with a lot of processing at my disposal, I use a combination of channel and bus compression. Channel compression is minimal, usually between 1.5:1 and 2:1 ratio with fast attack and release with the threshold set to kick in when things start getting to a "medium loud" level. Then the vocal bus compressor is set at ~6:1 with fast attack/release with the threshold set to kick in when vocals start to become a bit too loud. The 2 stage compression keeps things smooth since compression is minimal for relatively nominal vocal levels and only comes in hard when it needs to. The bus compression is also great for a lot of vocals simultaneously for harmonies and choruses where a lot of voices can get things really loud suddenly.

I make pretty liberal use of compression on instruments as well, but I'll leave that for another discussion.

I would have to agree and disagree with you on this. Try that on an opera trained artist and you'll have a noose waiting for you at the end of the gig and that's before the DIVA factor of how dare you change my artistic expression. On the other hand most rocker's are half deaf and wouldn't even notice. Cool man yeah! It's not a subject for a broad brush answer it depends on the artists. I just did that with the rocker comment. My bad.

[Wynnd]

Didn't think that opera singers bothered with a PA.  (Really!)

[WK154]

Old school kicking and screaming new generation not so much. Times change and theater productions mostly insist on head mics.

[Greg C.]

I would have to agree and disagree with you on this. Try that on an opera trained artist and you'll have a noose waiting for you at the end of the gig and that's before the DIVA factor of how dare you change my artistic expression. On the other hand most rocker's are half deaf and wouldn't even notice. Cool man yeah! It's not a subject for a broad brush answer it depends on the artists. I just did that with the rocker comment. My bad.

Occasionally I will run across a vocalist with impeccable mic technique that can work the mic like a self vocal compressor (watch Christina Aguilera live sometime). But they're rare. And I still like to to have at least the limiting comp inline just in case