Our
compressor only has SC
send, and SC
return. Is input different from
return? I would think they mean the same thing...but you said "not
return"... but then again, I had it set up the same way (
return instead of input) but it didn't work.
Is it possible that it is just broken? I have never been able to hear the SC input except when I was monitoring it. (or, maybe there is something else I am doing wrong)
Also, we have no insert cables, so that is why I have to use all of thse cables. We are looking into buying some (it's through the school, so it will take a while) but for right now, all we have is 1
TRS cable (4 inches) and a whole bunch of TS cables (lenghts from 2 feet to 25 feet)
Your reply sent me off to the Behringer web site to investigate the downloadable
manual. What a model of how not to write a
manual! In the specs it refers to
side chain input and output. In the text and aparently on the
unit the labels are
send and
return. I don't see how
send and
return apply to a
compressor actually, but I stand half corrected. Where you want to
send the signal is to the sidechain input (as I said before), but Behringer has decided to label the
jack return.
Sooooo.... try this.
1.
Send your music on either
TRS or
XLR to the appropriate
jack in
Channel 1's "Input" section. From
Channel 1's "Output" run a
TRS or
XLR back to your board.
2. Don't assign the music you are sending to your mix (speakers). Only assign the
channel that is driven by the signal coming back from the
compressor.
3. Don't activate the SC External
Switch yet. We want to get the thing compressing in normal mode first. Turn up the signal
level you are sending till you see some
gain reduction lights coming on. Turn up the ratio and turn down the
threshold contols till you see lotsa lights flashing.
4. Now bring up the
gain on the
channel coming back from the
compressor. With all the compression we have cranked in it should sound awful. If not, change the "IN/OUT"
switch to the opposite position.
In one position or the other you should hear a volume compressed version of the original. If you aren't heqaring that, try the other position of the "SC EXT"
switch. I won't assume what function Behringer gave to the depressed or released position. In some combination you should be able to hear the
compressor in action. Setting it to compress heavily makes that easier to hear.
5. Once you have that happening, set the "SC EXT" to the opposite position and
send the mike signal to the
side chain return jack with a TS cable. These are unbalanced inputs and TS is all that is needed. You don't need to assign the mike to the mix yet. Now you should be able to talk into the mike and see the
gain reduction lights flash. Adjust the ratio,
threshold, attack and
release times as well as the mike signal if needed.
6. Assign the mike to your mix. You now have two channels in the mix. The output of the
compressor, and the mike. Don't assign the
channel that is being used to
send the music to the
compressor.
7. If you do all this and it still won't function, walk to the tool drawer, select a large ball peen or small sledge hammer....
stand by for more instructions.
Good Luck