RE: Overloading Output Levels when layering sounds

["M. Steven Ginn" <sginn@airmail.net>]

Hi Todd,

Thanks for your comments.  Even though it appears to be a discussion
about compressors, my original question dealt with the Output signal
becoming overloading and distorting because of the additional
volume/sound being created by the looping device.  In this case a
Repeater.  My question was an attempt to find out how best to get my
gain structure set so that when I started adding in layers and layers of
additional sound, my output didn't distort.  Since I am running my setup
in  series (see my original message) there seems to be a tendency for
the Repeater to add significant amounts of additional gain with each
layer created for my sound.

Thanks,
Steve



> 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
>