Compressor operation audible well below threshold

[Sparky]

I have a compressor configured on the L/R mix as a limiter with a very fast attack and 200 ms release, threshold at +6. 1 of our vocalists is complaining that the sound get louder and softer “likes its rolling up and down” whenever the compressor is engaged. This occurs at levels well below the threshold .I can’t hear it but she can and its not her imagination as I had her play a chord on her keyboard and asked her to tell me when she “hears it rolling” as I switched the limiter in and out. She accurately picked the spots where the limiter was engaged and disengaged every time. The compressor is showing no gain reduction but something appears to be happening. Any thoughts or suggestions? FYI, there is no other processing in the chain

[Mike C]

Is there any make up gain applied to the LR compressor?

If so maybe with the extra make up gain the level is just high enough
to trigger another compressor/limiter further downstream from the mixer.

[Sparky]

The only thing downstream from the mixer is the powered PA speakers EV EKX-15sp with EKX-18 subs and the volume is very low, no where near hitting the limiter on the speakers.

[SteffenR]

The compressor is showing no gain reduction but something appears to be happening.

Please provide a screen shot of the limiter settings…

[Mike C]

The only thing downstream from the mixer is the powered PA speakers EV EKX-15sp with EKX-18 subs and the volume is very low, no where near hitting the limiter on the speakers.

Keep in mind the “volume control” on the power speakers does not set the limit of the speakers output.
It is quite possible to still overdrive the speakers input with the controls turned down
with enough input signal from a mixer.

How high is the mixer output level metering showing when running the system?

[Author]

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