Can compression run through an AUX and still work?

[nin4269]

I'm under the impression that compression has to be "in-line" to get proper results. Either as an inserted effect, or maybe on a subgroups send and return.

 

One of the bands I work with from time to time uses compression on one of the AUX sends. He uses a mackie board, older VLZ1604.

 

Since an aux send doesn't defeat the original signal, it blends it's return with the original, doesn't that mean you'd hear a portion compressed and a portion uncompressed? I can't wrap my head around that being a benefit.

 

 

Am I looking at this wrong?

[agedhorse]

Yes, generally it's NOT a good idea. You also have to worry about absolute polarityt. Some devices are inverting (intentional or otherwise) which causes real problems.

[nin4269]

Cool. Is there any way to make it work? Like send the signal with the aux, have it return on an unused track, and don't send the original channel to the main mix?

[boseengineer]

The best way to do this is to use an insert. It's possible so use a sub out (pre-fade AUX has no EQ on it) and then come back through an empty channel or an Aux return. That would even allow you to share a compressor between channels.

 

However, sharing a compressor is not a great idea. The compression is applied to all channels equally. For example, a loud guitar would duck the voice as well, even if the voice is still at an okay level. That's probably not what you want.

[nin4269]

In this case it's for the back up singers... not a critical situation, but still a case where even if i use the same compression settings on the two voices, I would want independent devices.