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compressor setup

W

Whitebread

Jun 26, 2000
88
0
41
Kansas
#1
Hello, I've recently purchased a Behringer mdx 2600 compressor and am in way over my head trying to set it up. My only previous experience with a compressor was the built in one on my old hartke head (one knob, 1-10).

I primarily just want to even out my volume during live performances while colouring the tone as little as possible. I would appreciate any tips on setting the controls.
 
#3
SUGGESTED SETTINGS:
Behringer Composer 2200 & 2600
for BASS GUITAR in a Live Rig.

Daisy Chain both halves of the Stereo Compressor
by patching channel one output into channel two input.

Bass -> Preamp -> FX Send ->
MDX Channel 1 Input -> Channel 1 Output -> Channel 2 Input -> Channel 2 Output -> FX Return.

The Following Functions SET the same on BOTH CHANNELS

Set both rear panel level switchs to -10 dbV.
COUPLE: Set to DUAL MONO Not Stereo
SC EXT: OFF
SC MON: OFF
AUTO: OFF *
I/O METER: OUT (measure Output signal: button light is off)
IN/OUT: IN (Compressor is on: button light is on)
INTERACTIVE (Knee): ON
High Pass Filter = MDX 2200: SC FILTER: ON / MDX 2600: LO CONTOUR: ON
Expander/Gates =
MDX 2200: Slow Release. Threshold: 50 and Ratio: 3.5
MDX 2600: Long Release. Gate ON. Trigger @ -30 (at 10:00).

The Following Functions (if employed) should be used on Channel 2 Only

MDX 2600 Only: Tube
Later MDX Models Only: De-esser - play with this for best sound.
Later MDX Models Only: Dynamic Enhancer
If in doubt, or if HISS is present leave it out (off).

Channel 1:

Threshold: -10db, 12:00
Ratio 4:1, 12:00
Attack: 8:00
Release: 10:00
Output: 1:30
Set Peak Limiter (+16-18 db)...

Channel 2:

Threshold: 0db, 2:00
Ratio 6:1, 2:00
Attack: 7:00
Release: 10:00
Output: 1:30
Set Peak Limiter (+16-18 db)...

------The Theory Behind The Madness------

Channel 1's has Classic Bass compressor settings.
The magic is that Channel 1 gives Channel 2 a hotter signal
while maintaining dynamics and thus raises the headroom seen
at Channel 2 (1 gives 2 an additional Gain Stage)
Then Channel 2 re-compresses only the Peaks
that have been processed and boosted by Channel 1
thus Channel 2's Output provides a level, hotter signal.

The noise floor is lowered as high energy peaks are tamed, not limited,
for excreasing headroom without over compressing the dynamic signal.

Pro Tip:
Did you know that Behringers XLR & 1/4" outputs are both hot?
You can tap an XLR out to give a Hot Signal out
while the 1/4" jack still providing signal to Amp.
Handy to know if you need a Compressed Hot D.I. Out
 
#8
Hello all, I just wanted to say thanks for the tips. I got me a Behringer AUTOCOM PRO-XL MDX1600 today for in my bass rig (also for home recording of drums/keys/guitar).

It is the same as the Composer Pro XL MDX 2600 except 2 things:

1) the dynamic enhancer can be manually set, and the de-esser is automatic (if engaged). This is the other way around from the MDX 2600.
2) there is no tube warmt simulator. I don't need this as I have a very good tube pre-amp in my SWR Bass 350 already.

I used the settings as suggested bij Finger Blister, and it worked great ! Many thanks for that FB !!

(Of course I had to some minor tuning of the levels, since I had a pretty hot singal coming IN from my preamp in the SWR Bass 350).

One thing I found (ok, I only used it once, tonight, during rehearsal, with only 10 mins of setup/test time alone) is that I had noise coming from the unit with the gate on! At the levels just above threshhold I heard some hiss. This ofcourse didn't fall well with me, as the rest of my setup is very clean sounding. After I turned of the gate/expander .. no more noise .. Any of you have the same experience ? Next sunday I will be experimenting with it some more .. I'll post any amazing discoveries then.
 
#12
I've seen that same info, or some very close to it, in a number of posts and other sites around the web. Who knows who the original author was.

But it's not in the manual.

Sure wish bongomania a.k.a the "compressor guru" would've tried out one of those Behringer rack compressors instead of just dismissing them as not worth the trouble...:)

I'd like to know how it stacks up in the opinion of someone who has spent WAY too much time and money playing with compressors!
 
#16
Cristo said:
I have no experience or data to back it up...

...but my gut tells me the compressor section is the same on all those Behringer models and the differences are whether it has an expander or limiter or enhancer or de-esser, etc added on.
Click to expand...

You're right on, actually. The MDX2600 removes the variable 'enhancer' and adds a variable de-esser and a tube emulation circuit. Otherwise the chipsets are identical. Oh, and the MDX2600 expands the expander/gate control to allow for both threshold and ration control, rather than the single knob on the MDX1600 (the 1600's control seeming limited but works fairly well).

The MDX4600 is a simplified, 4-channel version of both.
 
#17
As a follow-up in case anyone with a behringer compressor follows this thread as I did, the settings put forth at the top created some serious line level overload when I switched from my Bass collection @ home to my Washburn (passive pups) at practice. I had to do some quick on-the-spot fixing to dial out the distortion and have abandoned this config for my previous, more musical config with less agressive settings.

Also, the 'Auto' switch is your friend if you wanna kill the pumping.
 

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