Can you help me understand the 3 band comp?

[Sprocket]

Let me start by saying I owned a MXR Dyno Comp and got rid of it because I found it too transparent, and never really could hear much effect after turning the knobs...I kinda feel the same with the MBR's 3 band compressor...and I was curious if anybody could tell me what to listen for and how to make adjustments to compensate for my recordings.
Ive been recording my friends' band and the bass is kinda getting away from me and Id like to tone it down in the mix...they also have a trumpet player that tends to overpower the recordings as well. So any help would be appreciated.

[Glenn Mitchell]

First, tell the trumpet to play in some other room.
Second, the compressor may not be the only adjutment you want on the bass.
Some EQ settings may be needed. I was just reading about reducing 50hz for reducing boominess and give better recognition of the other overtones. Q= 1.4
add a bit of 100 hz to get a bit of a harder sound.Q= 1 to 1.4
add 400hz to add clarity.Q=1.0
add 1.5 Khz for "pluck" Q=1.4
add 3Khz for more "Pluck" Q=1.4

[Sprocket]

By EQ do you mean the mixer? Otherwise, wheres the EQ?

[jkevinwolfe]

The three band compressor is technically an EQ and compressor combined. But really it's strength is not in what you're trying to do. The 3BC boosts the low, middle and high individually. Where you'll find it most useful if you have a mix that just needs a little something extra, it will compress the bass and guitar separately to make them both louder. On a one band Eq the louder instrument will bring down to volume to the quieter instrument.

As you're looking to tone down and not boost, you're best to use EQ, find the Q or frequency band where the trumpet is to isolate it and then reduce the volume of that band. Do the same with the bass.

[Sprocket]

I guess Im really confused now...I never really considered a compressor as a "booster"...I always thought it lowered the ceiling and got rid of unwanted noises, like pick attack?

[Blooby]

Perhaps this might clarify matters.  There is also a little nifty chart on the page for suggested compression settings for various instruments.

http://www.thewhippinpost.co.uk/mixing-music/compression-audio-mixing.htm

Peace.

Blooby

[Sprocket]

Im gonna save that read for tomorrow at work, but I(skimmed it and) can already tell thats the kinda info Im thirsty for...thanks!

[Glenn Mitchell]

The manual also has a pretty good explanation of that and others starting pg 67

[Sprocket]

After fidgeting with the 3 band compressor for the last two days...Ive kinda come to the conclusion that it mostly boosts signal....all this time Im seeing negative numbers thinking Im making that band less loud or compressing it....but its boosting the signal, the lower I go the more it boosts that frequency.
Anybody else find this???

[launched]

After fidgeting with the 3 band compressor for the last two days...Ive kinda come to the conclusion that it mostly boosts signal....all this time Im seeing negative numbers thinking Im making that band less loud or compressing it....but its boosting the signal, the lower I go the more it boosts that frequency.
Anybody else find this???

I'm not a pro by any means, but a compressor is designed to boost the weaker signals and attenuate the peaks. I haven't messed with the MBR's a whole lot, but I think it works well - I've mostly dealt with the compression ratio more than anything - that's where you get the best benefit. One of the settings you are adjusting is probably for when the compression kicks in - the lower the decibel level, the wider the compression range as far as volume is concerned. In other words, if you set it too low, it will compress everything, instead of the nasty peaks.

Mark