Mic/Comp/EQ ~ Cabling up ~ question...?

[McThumpin]

I'm trying to connect a mic, a Aphex 651 compressor, and a Rane ME15 Graphic Equalizer to my audio interface (MOTU 896). For this project, I'm not using the compressor/EQ as an insert - I'm going mic > compressor (equalizer in sidechain) > interface.

Everything works, except the EQ in the sidechain of the comp. The comp has XLR in/out, and for sidechain access, 1/4" link/return/send. The EQ has 1/4" in/out. I've tried using a sidechain link cable (stereo 1/4" to 2 mono 1/4" labelled "ring" and "tip"), using the mono 1/4"'s from the EQ's in/out into the "link" input of the comp without success. And I've tried using standard 1/4" cables from the comp's send to the in on the EQ, and from the out on the EQ to the return on the comp. Still no go.

Does this make any sense? Any ideas how to get the EQ working in the sidechain of the comp?

Thanks!

[McThumpin]

Update: Using unbalanced 1/4" cables from the send on the comp to the input of the EQ, and from the output of the EQ back to the return of the comp, I can see the levels on the comp change when I change the levels on the EQ. So... it seems everything is working and "hearing" each other... but I still can't actually hear the EQ working from the master output of the comp.

The send and return on the comp are working, but it's not actually outputting the EQ's part of the signal.

Might something be wrong with the comp?

???

[Nick Kay]

Any processors connected to the sidechain of a compressor only receive signal when the signal goes over the threshold of the comp. It's not the same thing as an effects loop. You can use an EQ in the sidechain of a comp as a de-esser, but if you want to use it as a traditional EQ, you're going to want to connect it to the comp's output. Or before the comp's input, if you're feeling saucy.

[McThumpin]

Ok. Good to know. Thanks.