How To: Connect A Compressor To A Mixing Board (Using Send/Return or Insert)

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Watch as Weezna shows how to connect a compressor to a mixing board. This video shows how to connect an external compressor using either an "insert" connection or using the "send & return" connections on a mixing board.
GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Mixing Board: Yamaha MG10/2
Compressor: DBX 266XL
TRS to 2 TS "Insert" Cable - amzn.to/2vYQqXe
TRS to TRS "Send & Return" Cable - amzn.to/2wi9xXx
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[@sparkymcpackage1933]

Good info. FYI: I take a drink every time you say, "go ahead and..."

[@Puto73]

Gold!

[@JimmyFontanez]

This was very helpful. I'd like to remember it as "tip in, ring out"

[@johnthemetalmailman]

THIS is how you make a tutorial. Complete with links and everything. Thanks a ton man.

[@DrummerxDan-kc2ke]

I'm such a noob. I was trying to plug my mic into that DBX and then send the output to my mixer. I just ordered one of those cables. Same dbx and mixer too lol. I appreciate this helpful video. :)

[@DrummerxDan-kc2ke]

Never ended up working. Feelsbadman

[@LTJR.]

@@DrummerxDan-kc2ke That sucks did you try to reverse the cables? on some of the tip is different from the ring, Which would make the input the output and vice versa.

[@kidsonicofficial]

WOW!!! I have the Soundcraft Compact 4 and it uses the same Insert system. and BOY has this helped!!! I can now hook up a compressor OR a multi-FX Pedal!!!! WOOHOOOOOO!!!

[@TrueSoundTV]

Hey that's awesome, glad i could help!

[@coryjohnson9242]

Exactly what i needed!! I was interested in hooking up dbx comp to a Yahmaha mg102c!!! I struck Gold ,Thank You

[@davidw.washington7583]

Great tutorial. Thanks for your work. Simple is always best. 👍🏿

[@kevinle1489]

your videos are very clear and easy to understand. thanks

[@myrnacasillan3061]

U and GLB production are easy to understand your lecture. Showing the unit, applicable cable, exact location to connect, adjustment. Thanks.

[@elusiv_music]

Nice, simple instructions. Just the right video length. Thanks!

[@user-qc1hv7bt9x]

Thanks 👍 very helpful 😊xbob

[@davideliah7427]

Thank you! You enlightened my confussion about the compressor.

[@Cstudio7]

Thanks for the short video, really helpful

[@jr.rasentertainment4074]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Watching all the way from Vanuatu 😀😁👍🔥🔥🇻🇺🇻🇺🇻🇺

[@beatprocess]

Great video brother. I couldn't find vid on putting hardware on send or aux. Appreciate it

[@alexchubbymclynn6060]

Thanks a lot! Great video, most helpful. Serious information is delivered in simple words, not everybody can do that! Downloaded it for future reference. Thanks!

[@aizelfrancinefuentes6624]

I love this about explanation guy❤ ❤ ❤

[@marcelcourchesne9519]

on the send and return explanation, there seems to be a mix up on what the send and return is at the other end

[@DjAmber_D]

thank you! this was really informative to help me get my first ever hardware compressor set up correctly! Subscribed x

[@vansonia]

short, brief, and to the point...thanks...i got allen n heath xp14

[@TrueSoundTV]

Yeessss very cool!!!!

[@BritoWorx]

Awesome content. Clear and to the point. Thank you

[@klauswhitedreamer]

Great informations, thank you, be blessed ! 🙏♥️

[@TrilliumRV]

Thanks, very helpful.

[@HanHan-fb7zh]

Thanks !

[@marynguyen2536]

I love your video clip , quite helpful. Thank you very much.

[@highpeakrecordings]

Really useful. Thanks. A video on setting up a patch bay with outboard and instruments such as synths would be useful.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thank you! So yes i just shot a "how to setup and use a patchbay" video, just have to edit it and it will be released. Thanks for watching!

[@carlotheatheist]

@@TrueSoundTV sir. excuse me. can i replied here? hey is it possible to sidechain a dbx equalizer to a dbx compressor? thanks for the answer.

[@marynguyen2536]

Thank you. You are great.

[@newrevivalvoiceministries.2083]

Thanks your video has been helpful!

[@LarryOohLaLa]

🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤ great job brother thanks for the tips 😅😅😅

[@BarkingBeavers]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much!

[@AFBTVKUPANG]

Thank you bro for your video. Cool...

[@PGSTELAROCK15]

Outstanding

[@PGSTELAROCK15]

I use the dbx compressor gate limiter this set of videos will come in handy…thank you

[@hungvanmai]

thanks you for the video.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@gbrtgalaxyinc]

Good work, helps alot

[@TrueSoundTV]

Awesome, Thanks for watching!

[@nephtechaudioworks7988]

Thaks for sharing

[@holywaterandgreentea]

Excellent Thanks

[@richardrobert1774]

Thanks Very Help full! Is this only for studio setups? How do I connect a compressor for live sound setup?

[@davidaponte9451]

The church that i go have the speakers connected to the compressor and the compressor to the mixer is this is a good way to connected.

[@Samuelhgflax]

That is good if you want the entire mix compressed - this video is for having just one channel compressed.

[@davidaponte9451]

@@Samuelhgflax thank you

[@corwintompson9152]

Thanks for the helpful video! Well spoken and clearly explained. I'm currently renting that same compressor (DBX 266XL)- any tips on how to set-up the built in noise gate?

[@JimMcGuirk1]

Very useful video. Thanks.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@bnorton55]

Video is great. What if I have a 1204 mixer without the Insert (Only a input) ???

[@lsantang]

why cant you hook the XLR mic to the compressor and then out XLR to the Mixer

[@dimitrisdiskovolos4749]

thanks , what is the advantage of this method as opposed to using the compressor output as the mixer input without using the insert ?

[@flowertown5017]

Can I connect a Mackie mixer, Beringer compressor, sound processor to a laptop w analog sound card using Audacity software? Thanks.

[@Jeffreya348]

Can I compressed the whole board through the main speaker inserts?

[@amirkhan-fu2uj]

it was useful thx

[@randysumalinog9264]

how to hook may mixer is fx out and return only the have..i want to connect may mixer+equalizer+compresaor+amplifier for vedioke system...can you explain step by step to set up them thanks and godblesss ur channel sir

[@lesterarcaina5416]

Good AM Sir, kindly help me on how to connect from my mixer console to a compressor. Based on my mixer console, there is only one Line port balance/unbalance on mic channel. aux send/return are already occupied by the external effects processor.

[@merqross8068]

wow bro, thanks for the info.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@late4suppa1]

How would you hook up a cassettes deck with RCA in and outs?

[@arneolson7114]

Maybe go from aux send to xlr input....bal sig. Then output of comp.unbalanced sig. xlr back to I/0 insert. Although it wishes for a balanced sig. There I believe the end of your video explained this...

[@austindenman9929]

I have a couple question Dose the Yamaha MG12XU have the send or return or inserts im looking to buy it as my first mixer with the dbx286 and the Shure Sm7b, Please help

[@brianbaker5640]

does anybody know if the +4 for the -10 should be set on that switch on the compressor?

[@TarronIvory]

Can you do this for drums also?

[@varunsharma9805]

So then if we use the send return method to connect the compressor, how would it route to the audio interface?

[@tiehorakaki9011]

What if i need to compress a couple of individual channels on a mixer like 8 vocals channels and dont want to compress other channels connected to the mixer?

[@camjam3906]

did you find an answer to your question? I wanto hook multiple channels to a compressor too

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

That's what the send knobs are for.

[@jayadevasarkar3431]

Can you make a video using the xlr input and output of the dbx 266 xl compressor connecting to the mixer? I haven't seen any videos here in YT using the xlr connections. TIA!

[@wavescomplete5085]

My mixer dont have INSERT.. I use Mixer Balance Output to EQ & compressor. its work.... Its okay or not?

[@PhantomNites]

Can I connect both the DBX 286s and 266xs together?

[@pablitonaval6557]

Is that only be use for mic connection ? the limiter i mean

[@laverne506]

I have my 286s hookup to 6i6 interface and my Triton Le keyboard hookup to the interface I like to hookup the yamaha mixer all so can you help Thank you

[@nhoyarmada2809]

Do you have a video also... Of connecting equaliver to mixer? Thanks a lot

[@TRAVHILL]

Can this be used for hybrid mixing too?

[@johngallaghermusic9777]

Hi . I have an old Tascam 2488 Neo which doesnt have an I/O insert or the send and return . It just has an effects send which is unbalanced. I just got the compressor and Have tried it with trs and ts cables but the compressor is getting nothing . Don't know whether you can shed any light on this . Im stuck . Thanks

[@Salfrado]

You said you would include links to the compressor and mixer. You lied! But I still liked the video because it was concise, accurate, and fluffless.

[@TrueSoundTV]

Gareth Blyth Yeah that mixer and compressor are no longer sold new anywhere and at the time of the video I didn’t know that. I did include the brand and model of both the mixer and compressor. So I wouldn’t say I lied though cause it’s there

[@stewartroxburgh8844]

I connected the DBX 266XL to my Behringer X1622USB mixer, but I don't hear the compressor, just the microphone channel. Am I missing something?

[@conrow1157]

What i I want to do this with a stereo compressor?

[@jhungrosales7523]

if i connect the compressor to my insert or any of my insert, will it affect the general mic channel

[@andyr7046]

Hello there I have a question how do you connect A driver rack PA2 To a preamp mixture.?

[@ari1234.]

The best way to connect to compress vocals .for kareokee..In what sequence? Mixer/Compressor/ Eq and Crossover then, amplified speakers??? Thanks

[@D2LocTv]

How can I connect Scarlett 18i20 With PRO MPA II and a Tascam ta-1vp antares with a Roland vs 1824

[@radiolibregironderlgpggiro1855]

my behringer xenyx x1204usb mixer without inserts and I would like to have the shema to connect MDX2600 COMPOSER pro-xl expander and the 266xs thank you

[@kingrae2789]

Can you help on how to connect the DBS 286S to the zoom L8?

[@TrueSoundTV]

I dont have a Zoom L8 so i'm not sure

[@SkyscanX1]

Assume this works the same on reverbs like the BigSky? I bought a Behringer PMP2000d Mixer - bad mistake no returns or Aux send

[@qrtqsraptournament]

Every Mixing Pult i see has a port names "line in" over the microphone port, is this also an "insert"?

[@claverpalattao931]

Hi one quick question. Which mixer is best when it comes to effects yamaha or soundcraft.

[@garydayton4956]

Hi ya weez! By the way..u rock brother..I have a 2 channel Alexis compress for my sample pad triggers for drums..I have a 4 chnl mixer from Pyle that is USB and blue tooth..it has 1 send and 1 return..how can I get both channels to work on the compressor? Or is it necessary? Y Thnx for ur time weez,,

[@jaykay5486]

My desk, Allan & Heath SR16 doesn't have insert in and out only in on each channel, how would I go about this. Looking to add Klark Teknik EQ instead of compressor

[@TrueSoundTV]

You would need to use an external mic pre and hook it up like this: Mic pre into the Klark EQ into the line in on the mixer

[@poalotesta7743]

So I know this comment is about 4 years late and you may not reply but here goes. Would you connect a dbx 286s voice strip to the mixer, in the same way? I'am guessing even a low end mixer ( Zoom livetrack 8L) would work in a similar fashion? Thanks

[@TheEssentialReason]

Is it the same for the DBX 286s which is a mic preamp?

[@shakiral-saladin9521]

Excellent video! I have the Toft ATB 32 I use the inserts for compressors and use the sends for processing. Question I just picked up a couple of Drawmer DS 501 gates. Can you please tell me what's the best method of connecting the gates to the mixer? This would be a big help!Thanks, Weezna

[@yajsualee4533]

I have questions how do you connect equalizing to drive rack pa2 and to maximize. Can make a video show how to connect? Thx

[@samusordicus]

Praammmppp

[@markmalasics3413]

OK, now how about THIS? How do you hook up the compressor to a mixer so the entire mixer output gets processed, and be able to hear this processed output through the mixer via outputs and headphones without adding it to the mix???

[@abrmykrh242]

How can I connect it to my interface? And where should I plug my speaker monitors? Sorry, beginner here 😁

[@TrueSoundTV]

Typically you'd connect you interface inputs to the mixer outputs and the speakers would connect to the interface outputs, ill be doing a video in the future on this!

[@abrmykrh242]

@@TrueSoundTV Thank you very much 😊

[@pauljosse]

If your in a band and don't use a compressor... Is that bad?

[@rr88821]

How to connect the insert of dbx 286s to a mixer?

[@Nikulvankar]

Can i use DBx 286s as shown in the video?

[@rrjtabora2398]

❤️

[@sergie2011]

Can a compressor able to control a 4 vocal mics?

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

you should use separate compressor for each microphone you got. That will give you the best result. You could let all the vocals go into a separate bus on the mixer, and route them through one compressor, but it would sound odd.

[@arneolson7114]

Can you explain what cord to use if your compressor has only xlr ports...input being balanced sig.and output being unbalanced sig. + side chain, "Klark Teknic 504"? Could I still use a Y cord to the insert I/0 on each channel. if I connect xlr adapters on the ring and tip ends won't that interfere with my balanced input on my comp.? I do have xlr adapters for 1/4"..talking maybe a 4 foot run.klark mentions I/0 insert 1/4 stereo jack to xlr input port on compressor then routing the unbalanced output on comp. to a group port on back of mixer "mixer is a phonic sonic station 16 " it says group ports are outputs? Instead of a Y it would then be a balanced cord I/0 insert to xlr bal. Port on comp. .Then an xlr from comp.output to a group port or aux return with an unbalanced or balanced 1/4" I believe that it can't be balanced once unbalanced. Any ideas I know a Y cord will manage an eq into the side chain for controlling unwanted compressor activity in the frequency spectrum.

[@huynhthi9827]

HI Dear may u help me please? I have the yamaha.mg10xu and speaker for karaoke do I need the compressor and what kind.... please , thank you.

[@flamesenergyenergy272]

IS IT THE SAME FOR DBX 215 TO CONNECT TO MY SKYTEC MIXER PLZ REPLY BACK

[@TV-yj9mh]

Wonder anyone can help me connect dbx266xs to a Yamaha Mg12xu mixer and to a dbx 1231 equalizer thanks you so much

[@jrios1168]

I have a 14-channel Mackie 1402VLZ4 that has 6 inserts in the back (ch 1-6), which I use for playing music for figure skaters. Typically I plug a wireless mic via XLR into ch 1, a wired mic into 2, two CD players (for emergencies only,) into channels 11 to 14, a stereo plug for mp3 player on 7-8, and a laptop (main player) using iTunes on 9-10. I run all this to a compressor, before it goes into the ice rink's PA system. If I understand correctly, plugging the TSR into the insert for channel 1, and Tip/Ring into the compressor, should be enough. Am I right? Thanks!

[@rocksteady903]

What are the benefits of using an TS/TRS insert cable on a interface to insert a Compressor as opposed to using a TRS/XLR to the First channel on the interface for the compressor?

[@Ancipital_]

Exactly what I'd like to know too.

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

TS is usually for an instrument mono.

[@rogerclemens2769]

did you go over a digital console?

[@atetraxx]

No dsidechain?

[@okkanym]

any advice to set up a compressor behringer mdx4600 to a yamaha gm10xu "insert"

[@myrio1]

Why do you need a tip/ring sleeve jack for a send return connection. I understand the single insert but not the send return connection. Seems to me all you need is two standard 1/4" phono plugs and not t/r?

[@Ancipital_]

Gives you a balanced signal.