Compression when going through a PA

[Wadge]

Is the use of a compressor pedal redundant or even harmful when you are going theough a PA and board with a compressor on your channel?

 

[Tim_Mofunk]

When going through a PA system the sound engineer is responsible for the FOH mix, not the musicians (unless you mix yourselves. Been there.) You should make sure your tone is exactly how you want it on your side of the DI. What happens after that is not your job. As far as damage is concerned, the answer is no. You cannot harm anything by using multiple levels of compression. Actually multiple compressors can sound amazing.

 

[Tim_Mofunk]

Just my opinion though. ^^^

 

[ga_edwards]

Do you mean harmful to your tone or the PA system. If the former, possibly if you overcompress to start with, if the later, unlikely.

Many people daisy chain compression, or use a compressor and a brick wall limiter together with no ill effects. Different compressors also offer different tonal variety and features, so multiple compressors can sometimes be desirable. However, unless you use compression as an effect, you should be careful to not go too extreme with your pedal's settings or it could get a little whacky when compressed again at the PA.

 

[Tim_Mofunk]

Another point to make is just because there is a compressor on the desk doesn't mean you have to use it.

 

[Wadge]

By harmful I did mean harmful to my tone, not to the PA. Mainly I was worried about over compression but I was also curious to see whether by presenting a slightly compressed signal to the PA I would make life easier (or not) to the sound guy.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Depends on the PA. Ideally no compression would be necessary in FOH anyway.

Full range compression can't help but mess with your tone so best avoided out front where you can't control it.

 

[Wadge]

Thanks