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Duck!

4Mal

4Mal

Gold Supporting Member
Jun 2, 2002
15,715
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Columbia River Gorge
#1
At least I think it's what I need...

Sports announcing events are a big part of my summer biz. One event I do has both announcers and DJ's.
This year was a bit of a cluster as they did not coordinate well... So I'm thinking about adding some form of box where I would have inputs for wireless mics and for the DJ line. Normally the DJ (spinning background music only, no chit-chat) line will be active but get's it's volume dropped when the announcer speaks into his or her mic. Announcer stops talking for say 10 seconds and the music fades back in...

Am correct in thinking that an auto-ducker box is what I'm describing ? Any experience with those boxes ? Anything recommendable ? Having a couple of mic inputs would be better for me as I usually have 2 wireless mic's running
 
#3
many digital mixers should have this capability as an effect. my somewhat ancient yamaha aw4416 could do this -- using the channel to the left as a sidechain input for the compressor of your dj channel. You'd have to send all your wireless mics to that channel through an aux input, and presumably mute that channel so it wasn't going to the FOH, but it could be setup on that particular unit.
 
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#5
Ya know, I haven't used external analog compressors in so long, I'd have to look at one to describe what I have in mind...

Morgan's idea is the best. But if you have an analog mixer, you can do this with a single-channel (or dual, if you run your playback stereo) compressor with a keyed input. The vocal (or vocal sub-group) would key the comp to reduce, or duck, the music. Set a slow release for when the vocals stop and the music needs to fade in.
 
#6
i don't see where a mackie 1608 has sidechain or key capability (would be nice for the gates too) but assuming the announcers are gonna be louder than the music, couldn't you just compress the whole damn mix?

set the announcer mic levels a good deal higher than the music, set a high threshold (above the music) then a high ratio to squash hard when the announcers come in.
 

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