[Peter Larsen[_3_]]

DanielleOM wrote:

Although I have used a DAW compressor, I have not used one in a live
sound setting. I host a weekly open mic in Windsor, CT. It seems I
always get a few people with tremendous dynamic range where they go
from almost a whisper to screaming vocals.

That is how vox humana is.

Any one use one for that type of environment?

I've used it for speak at a horseshow, a prehistoric ADR Gemini Compact
(1978) with a fabulously working automatic limiter setting, fast release for
the first 6 dB and slow below. The requirement for speak at a horseshow is
that all those far away also should hear it all, the same kind of necessity
probably does not apply for open mic, but unexperienced mic user is.

A caveat: a compressor-limiter turns the gain up when it gets quiet again.
THAT is more often than not the artistic use of it, using it in side channel
compression mode can be very advantageous if that is the problem you use it
to solve.

You should imo use one to protect your gear and the ears of the audience,
but set it to kick in when things get extreme and only then and REMEMBER
that you need to ensure adequate headroom in the gain stage before the
insert-point in the channel. Get it wrong and you get more distortion and
more feedback than you would have had without it.

There is NO replacement for playing with the equipment you want to deploy
and learn how it works well in advance of the show. You may end up having to
ad lib a setup with unknown sonic implements, but do not insist on so doing.

Danielle

Kind regards

Peter Larsen