BASIC SETUP & APPLIC ATIONS
3.2 Basic Applications
Example setup compressing a voice or vocal track.
Probably the most common use of a compressor is to control the dynamic range of a vocalist during a live performance or when recording. It is almost always necessary to compress a vocal take during a recording session. Most vocalists have a very wide dynamic range, and if the vocalist does not have ‘studio’experience, controlling the dynamic range becomes even more challenging due to the lack of proper microphone technique.
This wide variation in level makes it difficult to properly record a vocal take, especially on digital multi-track recorders which have definite limitations in headroom.
Compressing a vocal also makes it easier to place the vocal track in a mix so that it remains ‘in your face’throughout the track.
To setup for recording a vocal, insert a channel of your ACP-88 into the same channel as the microphone on your mixer. If your mixer has an insert point, insert the compressor there (-10 dBu on most mixers). If you don’t have an insert point you will have to place the compressor after your mixer’s bus- output or whichever output you’re using by coming out of your mixer to the input of the ACP-88; then out of the ACP-88 to the input of your recorder. If you’re using a stand alone mic preamp; patch the ACP-88 after the preamp and then to the recorder. It is important to utilize the compressor last in the signal path or positioned in line so that the input level of the compressor is stable. (Remember: adjusting the signal level being sent to the ACP-88 will require a readjustment of the various parameters of the compressor.)
Turn the Threshold of the channel’s compressor you’re using completely counter-clockwise. If you’ve gotten the cables right, you should see the LED’s above the Threshold knob of the channel you’re using flashing when you talk into the microphone. Make sure that the channel on the ACP-88 has the following setup: Link button is out, Bypass is out, Auto is in, Soft is
