Using effects (from a mixer/rack processors)

k-lub242 · 09-11-2010, 03:26 AM

Do you ever use effects when running sound, and if so, what/when? I run sound at my church, and unfortunately all we have right now is one single rack processor that I provided which is used to send reverb through the IEM's, so I can't run any effects through the mains. I also play at a house of prayer where they have a real nice digital board; the sound guys there use reverb and delay on vocals a lot of times, it sounds great.

**Gustin** · 09-11-2010, 07:59 AM

We have 3 two channel compressors. Kick and Snare are two channels, then we have subgroups 1-4 send to the other compressors. Most of our guys use 1 for lead vocals and 2 all the background vocals. 3-4 are usually used for guitars or something.... when I'm mixing I turn 3-4 off and I actually just take the other two compressors off of the subgroups and onto single vocal channels as we have two back up singers who have powerful voices and another couple singers who have less powerful one, so group compressing them is not really an option.

We also have a reverb set up.. I use it to on a few songs, and I have it really set back in the mix... other sound guys go a little overboard with it (sounds like they're mixing straight out of the 70's-80's).

I'd prefer to be using a delay on vocals as it's a bit more modern, but the way it works at our church... if you have cash to buy the gear (or have extras lying around), you decide how/where it gets used.

For pro gigs, I have 8 channels of compressors and 3 multi-effects. Which I can use however I need.

Almost Enough · 09-11-2010, 10:49 AM

I lucked out when our church sanctuary upgraded their soundboard and acquired one of these for the youth room.

(TC Electronics M One XL)

I run a lot of vocals through that, and have one side set to reverb and one to a delay. I'll throw a lot of reverb on the background vocals and no delay, and then on the lead I'll throw a light touch of reverb with some heavy delay, depending on the situation. Reverb on most instruments. I LOVE reverb. I don't go Phil Spector on it, but I do add some space into the mix.

I'll also have some compression on the lead vocalists using an Alesis two channel compressor/gate.

It's definitely nice to have effects for the overall sound of things.

**Gustin** · 09-11-2010, 11:02 AM

The rig I used to use for concerts and things had 2 of those M Ones. They're pretty great. Especially for the price.

**surferdude9375** · 09-11-2010, 11:09 AM

My APC88 stays at church unless I need it for another gig but that is usually always there for everyone to use. Usually patch 3 vocals, Snare, 2 Toms for the gate (low tom goes boom hehe), kick, and either bass whatever the personal opinion is of the mixer.

For FX I have a M1 and a Lexicon processor. I have the M1 set up for reverbs and the Lexicon for delays to set up for whoever is leading the song.

Almost Enough · 09-11-2010, 11:09 AM

I love it. There's a bit of a learning curve, and I still haven't really completely gotten the hang of it.

I actually wish I had less. I feel like I'm not utilizing the thing to it's fullest potential.

Mind if I shoot you a PM to try and prod your mind on it a little bit? I've been curious about a few things.

k-lub242 · 09-11-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almost Enough

Mind if I shoot you a PM to try and prod your mind on it a little bit? I've been curious about a few things.

I assume you aren't talking about me, but if you, sure.

My church has next to no budget, and starting in November I won't be running sound there, but one or two volunteers that I train will instead. Do any of you have any recommendations on processors that would be CHEAP, easy to learn, and noticeably useful? I'm going to try running some fx from a post-fade vocal subgroup send through a virtual effects rack on my computer tomorrow. Planning on some delay, maybe a little chorus or reverb (although the room has a ton of reverb naturally, so probably not). Hoping this gets the people in charge of decisions like buying gear interested.

**Gustin** · 09-11-2010, 03:09 PM

How cheap? And are you just talking multi-effects or compressors too?

I'd suggest you're better off spending the cash on compressors before reverbs/delays. Not as flashy, but far more useful (IMO). Plus you can get a couple channels of compression for significantly cheaper than a decent reverb/delay..

k-lub242 · 09-12-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustin

How cheap? And are you just talking multi-effects or compressors too?

I'd suggest you're better off spending the cash on compressors before reverbs/delays. Not as flashy, but far more useful (IMO). Plus you can get a couple channels of compression for significantly cheaper than a decent reverb/delay..

Um... cheap as possible? I'm not entirely sure exactly because it's not my budget. I agree, compressor(s) would be great. Does it need to be more than one? Unfortunately all the aux sends are taken up by monitors, so I can't set any of those to post fade and use for an effects send. However, the board does have a matrix send spare (which is basically an aux send, except it controls post-fade groups instead of channels) that could be used to send vocals from. For compressors though, I could just use the insert on the vocal group. That would work good, right? And what compressor would you recommend? Something that would be set-it-and-forget-it would be great, because while I'm good with things like that, the other sound people will likely forget it and/or have no clue how to adjust it properly.

ibanez_dude · 09-12-2010, 06:16 AM

My church doesn't have much rack gear, and they don't use any of it, but I will patch in their crappy verb or something whenever I mix for them. Usually my mixing all done elsewhere, and I have either a full rack of EQ's and processors and a full rack of compressors, or I'm using a Yamaha LS9, which as a digital console has a ton of internal processors, probably about 8-10 full racks worth of plugins.

I usually mix with a fairly hard-hitting compressor on all components of the drum kit and the bass, and a lighter compression on my vocals. Not just for dynamics control, but I really like the "edge" that a good compressor gives to vocals, especially male voices.

How is the verb for the IEM's set up right now? Does it come out of the board as an aux send, and then back into a channel, which is sent to the aux mixes for the IEM's? If so, you could use that verb in your main mix too if you wanted. I would +1 Gustin's post, invest in a couple compressors first before a good verb. It will be cheaper too. Could you give a list of the typical inputs? I would look into a couple channels of good compression, like a couple for vocals, and 1-2 for any components of the drumkit that are miced.