Reply To: Aux Monitor Mix Advice Needed

[Joe Hinkens]

Good to hear that sorted it. 🙂

Now you just need to be aware that what you’re hearing in your ears is not necessarily an accurate representation of how dynamic you are into your mics. 🙂 I wouldn’t assume that it will be a problem, but it’s something to be aware of.

If this turns out to be an issue you might actually be better to put the routing back the way you had it, then remove the make up gain from the compressors and replace that make up gain with a fader boost. That’ll give you the level you’re expecting without you hearing dynamics processing in your ears.

Chris

Chris,
I hadn’t given any thought to the possibilities you mentioned but most of it makes sense. I’m curious why we wouldn’t want to hear dynamics in our in-ears? I’m also a bit confused on the make-up gain on the compressors. If simply raising the fader level is the equivalent of using the make-up gain in the compressor, why would the make up gain adjustment be there in the first place? Compressors have always been a bit of a mystery to me. I like the results of compression, but I’ve never been overly confident in whether I was setting things optimally. Generally, I’ve used compressors primarily on the vocals and I’ve made a habit of setting the gain reduction at no more than about -6dB and then simply set the make-up gain at +6dB give or take. I’ve usually kept the ratio at 3:1 or sometimes up to 5:1.

Apologies for these questions on fundamentals but I’m a self-taught rookie a lot to learn and I find your posts extremely valuable and well written.

Thanks,
Joe

P.S. I just remembered that I also put just a touch of compression on the Main mix as well. It just seems to make things a little more punchy, especially on the drums. I don’t know if that’s right or wrong. 🙂 Thanks.