Need help with Compressor settings

[mward69]

Hey, for you techie folks. My wonderful singer who owns the PA we use decided to play with the settings on the PA crossover and compressor to "tweak" the sound...well, now it sounds like crap.
Can someone who knows about this stuff give my some starting points with the settings.
The PA is a Peavey SP 4s 2x15s with 18 subs
not sure of brand the compessor is.
anyway.....I need
*Threshold
*Attack
*release
*Ratio
*output
Just to get it back to a "decent" sound.....right now the 18 are sounding like a distortion pedal is on with my bass and the kick drum.....we are not pushing the PA at all....the amp Vol. are not even up to about the 2 o'clock position.
This MIGHT be crossover related too? I know he was messing with it as well....so feel free to give me a starting point with that..lol
*freq
*Ratio
*DB

[RickenBoogie]

Generally, starting out flat is recomended. Just put everything at 12 o clock, and work from there.

[bongomania]

Click the link in my sig for a compression FAQ. Within the FAQ, there are links to several tutorials as well. Honestly, there are no "standard" settings- you just have to learn how your particular unit works, and what each function actually does. Once you've got that down then you'll be able to figure out the settings on your own better than I or anybody else could from a distance, using a different rig.

The only setting suggestions from me are: start with a low ratio and a medium-high threshold, find unity gain, and adjust from there.

As far as the crossover, again you have to know what it's doing before any setting will make sense or work for you. What is it dividing, going into two or more channels of what?

It actually will help to name the exact models/devices you are using, and describe how they are connected. Maybe link to some documentation on the Peavey, I can't find it easily on Google or the Peavey site.

[Johnny Crab]

Originally Posted by mward69

Hey, for you techie folks. My wonderful singer who owns the PA we use decided to play with the settings on the PA crossover and compressor to "tweak" the sound...well, now it sounds like crap.
Can someone who knows about this stuff give my some starting points with the settings.
The PA is a Peavey SP 4s 2x15s with 18 subs
not sure of brand the compessor is.
anyway.....I need
*Threshold
*Attack
*release
*Ratio
*output
Just to get it back to a "decent" sound.....right now the 18 are sounding like a distortion pedal is on with my bass and the kick drum.....we are not pushing the PA at all....the amp Vol. are not even up to about the 2 o'clock position.
This MIGHT be crossover related too? I know he was messing with it as well....so feel free to give me a starting point with that..lol
*freq
*Ratio
*DB

Crossover:
Running 2 way(subs xover to SP4's)?
Cross about 120~150Hz but read the sub manufacturer book to be sure.

Compressor:
IF you only have one channel on the compressor, drums are usually the main thing to tame. Put the subs into one submaster and then them alone through the compressor and back into the board. Your mixer manual SHOULD explain how to do this. Read the compressor manual as most have decent "starting point" suggestions(dbx does). Start there and tweak those IF NEEDED without going twiddle-crazy.

It really sounds like:
a) Low buck compressor mis-adjusted and adding noise
And/or
b) Trying to compress an entire mix. Drums and screams WILL trigger the compressor if set right and make your sound not good(up and down, etc).

Reading rooms:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...splay.php?f=33
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/
http://www.homerecordingconnection.com/forum.php?frm=7