Compressor suggestions for Brass

its_jon

Having just joined a Soul band that's got a busy live diary, I have very little time to experiment with sound trials.

We bring to the band a dbx 266XL compressor (which I learned to use well set at 12 Oclock on guitar)

We hope to put a Sax and a Trumpet through the 2 channels of the dbx compressor.
What we are looking for is to smooth out off axis drift between horn and mic to present a levelled out performance and to stop the sound guy/mixer man diving for the fader whenever the odd blast comes through..
We also hope to give the brass more punch at the same time...

We would welcome any setting suggestions.

Thanks for the support
John... Scotland

Gadget

Greetings...

For a high-energy mix go for 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction at the loudest part of the horn track. A more mellow track might call for only 3 dB of gain reduction at the loudest part. Also, avoid setting the compressor’s attack time too slow, or the attacks of the horn notes will pop out before the compressor can react. In small doses, this effect can add a nice punch to the beginnings of notes, but if your attack is set too slow the horns will start to take on a slappy, spitting sound.

There are many ways to attack (pun intended) this subject and my Presonus will act differently than your dbx.. same goes for the Symtrix, or even BEH so you'll need to deal with your mixer/comp combination as levels and interface are everything here...Mine are built into the mixer and are designed to be seamless and subtle.. I cannot get an "effect" like sound out of the comps but then they were designed that way...

its_jon

Thanks for the advice....

Our next gig is Thursday and will aim for your suggested setup.

thanks