I am trying to run a presonus comp16 through the aardvark q10 and i am not getting good results. Sounds are compressed, but too compressed and they are peaked.

Does this not work well being patched in through the effects loop? Does the compressor need to sit in FRONT of the q10?

I want to get it working with it without spending more money if possible. This is with Sonar 4 and a custom built DAW (PC obviously).

Thanks!!!!!

Travis K

GoodBeef wrote:

I am trying to run a presonus comp16 through the aardvark q10 and i am not getting good results. Sounds are compressed, but too compressed and they are peaked. Does this not work well being patched in through the effects loop? Does the compressor need to sit in FRONT of the q10? I want to get it working with it without spending more money if possible. This is with Sonar 4 and a custom built DAW (PC obviously). Thanks!!!!! Travis K

Not sure how this effect loop is working but generally compressors are always inserted BEFORE anything in the chain and are not in a loop..

Have you tried to stick it before?
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Recording Studio Suntans

I think the effects loop you mention is actually the insert. the Q10 has 4 trs inserts.

If it's compressing and then clipping, check your preamp gain.
or maybe the levels at the software stage.

signal flow should be

mic -->preamp (Q10) -->insert (Comp16) -->interface pci card -->software interface -->multitrack program(cubase*)

(*assuming you're using the cubase le that is packaged with the Q10)

yeah, it is the trs insert (sorry, i'm new to the recording game still)

the software stage is fine, and i have gotten some great sounds with software compressors...but for vocals (i do a lot of hardcore and punk rock bands along with some loud indie singers), i really need a compressor/limiter to sit in front of the DAW...otherwise the singers can't hear themselves because i am recording them at such a low level.


anyways, when i go to the studio today, i'll see what i can do to show you guys what i mean with an audio sample...but for now i'll simply describe it.

I am using Sonar 4 (a generous present from my fiancee) and loving it. Anyways, with the compressor going into the trs insert, i can get it to read and compress the signal--i know this because the recorded audio never maxes past about -6 dB. i would like to get it closer to -2 or -1, but that's not the main problem. it sounds as if the preamp is clipping something terrible. I will work with it more, but I was wondering if it was a problem with the q10.

What I was thinking about doing to alleviate my problems was purchasing a small 2-4 channel mixer with phantom power and placing it in front of the q10 with the compressor between the two. Unfortunately that pretty much eliminates the point of the q10 (short signal chain...).

If I turn the gain down on the q10's mixer, how do i raise the level of the signal hitting the software? Would i simply increase the output of the compressor? I don't recall that working, but I have also learned quite a bit about compression since then.

Thanks for all the help!

Yeah, it's still sounding to me like the q10 is probably clipping the signal. Was there any other software packaged with the Aardvark PCI device? I'm thinking there should be a software mixer-- not the recording software, but a program specifically for the Q10. (doing research now...) ok, There should be a "Direct Pro Q10 Control Panel." This is what you should be using to adjust the gains on your inputs, right? Let me know if that helps or if I'm telling you something you already know...

yeah, i use the control panel everytime.

i have turned the gain all the way down and nothing. oh well...i might be selling a comp16 soon.

well, that's a head scratcher then...

if all your cabling is correct and gain staging looks good, it may be the comp16. Can you maybe test it by running line level signal through it without the q10 preamps?

i'm going to try running it that way with my peavey mixer and see what happens if i run a line out from the peavey into the q10...who knows, it may not work right with the insert--i'll check into it next time i'm there at the studio. If that's the case, i might need to get a 1-4 channel mixer with phantom power just for vocals...oh well--thanks again for all the help!