Re: Overloading Output Levels when layering sounds

[Todd Pafford <galen@erols.com>]

Well, it seems to me that you'd want a compressor/limiter in front of 
whatever device is receiving the largest fluctuations in gain and thus 
distorting unpleasantly.  I've seen some rules of thumb for guitarists 
using 
compressors that recommend one as the first device in the chain to provide 
a 
great signal feeding whatever processors follow and then a second at the 
end 
of the chain to reign it all back in and clean it up before feeding 
mixers, 
tapes, PAs, etc..  Seems like good logic to me.

Of course, there's a wealth of information on compressors out there that 
could shed some light on the topic, but in depth discussion is probably 
better suited to a general audio list.  In the end, the best bet is to 
play 
around with whatever you can get your hands on (or off if you're into the 
minimalist thing) until you find something that you like to hear. :)

Todd

On Tue, 08 Jan 2002, M. Steven Ginn wrote:
> Then maybe I should put my compressor after the Repeater as well, just
> before I run it through the Lexicon MPX1?
>
> Steve
>
> > Yeah, guitar->Vortex->Boomerang->Mixer easily clips on the
> > Mixer inputs as soon as I flip on the overdrive and lay down
> > a couple distorted layers.
> > I'm constantly watching levels lest I get the awful digital
> > crackle flavor
> > distortion from my mixer.  I'm thinking of investing in a
> > second compressor for post-'Rang pre-Mixer limiting.
> >
> > Todd
> >
> > On Mon, 07 Jan 2002, Mark Sottilaro wrote:
> > > Could be the same problem I'm having with the Vortex:
> > > Vortex=instrument level, Repeater=line level.  I'm thinking
> >
> > of getting
> >
> > > a converter.
> > >
> > > Mark
> > >
> > > On Monday, January 7, 2002, at 11:15  AM, M. Steven Ginn wrote:
> > > > I am currently using a Repeater "in series" in my rig, with the
> > > > Repeater being the next to last item just before my Lexicon MPX1
> > > > which I use mostly for reverb.
> > > >
> > > > It seems with my setup that if I start building layers in Repeater
> > > > (overdubbing) or even just lay down one repeating loop and then
> > > > begin soloing over it, my output levels tend to overload and
> > > > distort.  I know this isn't necessarily caused by the
> >
> > Repeater since
> >
> > > > at this point, it is just one more sound producing unit in the
> > > > signal path (at least I don't think it is the cause).
> >
> > Anyway, can
> >
> > > > someone tell me if I running everything in series is the main
> > > > culprit and if this is why an aux send bus system is better for
> > > > building up and playing layers of sound or am I missing
> >
> > something in
> >
> > > > properly balancing my gain structure?
> > > >
> > > > My setup:  synths => line mixer, line mixer => compressor,
> > > > compressor => Repeater, Mo-FX connected to Repeater effects loop,
> > > > Repeater => Lexicon MPX1, Lexicon => direct box for House
> > > > connection.
> > > >
> > > > I am using a Repeater, but I think the same situation
> >
> > would apply if
> >
> > > > I used an EDP as well.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Steve