528E users...

How do you find the compressor to behave?  Do you compress pre or post eq?  Or do you bypass compressor altogether?

I'm asking because I recently bought one (used) and after at least 20 years of using a dbx, aphex & symetrix compressor I find the 528e to be quite heavy handed with considerable dulling of voice audio set when for 3db or so of compression at 2:1 ratio.  This surprises me because the pre and de-esser seem to work quite well for vo.

Any secrets to share outside of whats available in the symetrix manual?

Thanks,

Dave P.

Well, over 40 views and no response.  I thought there'd be some comment on the symetrix piece.  So I guess I'll answer my own question and share the info I found.

I've posted the web site where I found some detailed info on setting up eq for the 528e.  Just look for the link for symetrix 528e voice processor settings.  YMMV of course depending on voice character.

http://www.davediamondprovo.com/extra.php

(I'm not the dave at this site)

With the new year just around the corner, a toast to your favorite dream coming true in '06.

Peace

Dave P.

I think that the lack of response here is simply due to the fact that most of us here have stopped using hardware compressors. I certainly have - even the one I built several years ago. They are all idiosyncratic, even the software ones, and they either do something for you, or you get rid of them.

So I'm glad that you've found something that works for you.

I was just wondering what a 528E was, so that's one viewing taken care of...

When I had a 528E in my home studio I only used it for the mic pre.  It's since been replaced with a straight mic pre.  Like Steve, I use software for all my compression needs.

Speaking of the 528E; I'm using one in conjuction with a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro, Delta 44 and U87AI. If I wanted to use the Mackie preamp, am I right in connecting mic into say Line 1 of mixer, line out from 528E into Channel insert 1 on Mackie.  On the other hand if I want to use preamp on 528E; insert mic in Mic Input on processor and line out from 528 into Channel insert on Mackie.  Is this the best routing situation?  Your suggestions are appreciated.

Voicer, that would be MIC in on channel 1 of the Mackie.  You can use the TRS insert jack on channel one for send and recieve from the 528E using an appropriate insert cable ... TRS one end and twin TS on the other.  You could also use FX send and return to the Mackie.

If you want to use the 528 preamp, mic in on the box, then line out of the 528 to line in on another channel, not the insert jack.

Thanks Craig, that's the info I've been looking for.

Voicer,

Fancy meeting you here.  I had to go look at my 1604 to think about it a minute.

Hiya Hart, I was confused about this configuration issue since I saw several users using both preamps and thought I must be missing out on something so starting asking around. Thankfully Craig confirmed the hookup.

The used 528E I bought has taught me a lot about voice over work and sound engineering.  But will I continue to use it for deessing, downward expansion, and compression?  Or do VO professionals do everything in AA?

The 528E does not allow me to adjust attack and release times.  How is it that an industry-standard voice processor lacks controls for setting attack and release times?

The used 528E I bought has taught me a lot about voice over work and sound engineering.  But will I continue to use it for deessing, downward expansion, and compression?  Or do VO professionals do everything in AA?

The 528E does not allow me to adjust attack and release times.  How is it that an industry-standard voice processor lacks controls for setting attack and release times?

Typically the 528E is used in broadcast on the on-air mic or production room and the attack and release times are not as critical (I think I really don't know why either). You can re-do the order of the processing by using the jacks on the back of the processor for the different processing in the 528E and I know there are wiring diagrams somewhere for broadcast etc. I too own a 528E (bought brand new from BSW) and I love mine and have it set as we have it at the radio station that I work at part-time. In my case I use it for getting rid of room noise for when I need to do vo work etc. If you want my settings PM me and I will send them to you.

Not sure if this is any help, but here's some user presets from the Symetrix website...

The used 528E I bought has taught me a lot about voice over work and sound engineering.  But will I continue to use it for deessing, downward expansion, and compression?  Or do VO professionals do everything in AA?

I think it goes one of two ways.  You have the old hard liners who have their hardware gear paid for and setup up one way.  They record only one way and send everything out one way.  The newer way has mic and preamp, and everything else is done within the computer.  That way the VO guy can have multiple setups to satisfy all his clients, including those that want more or less of EQ and compression.  I used to be a hardware guy, now everything sits in the rack powered off and collecting dust unless I need it for something specific ... which happens about once a year.  Maybe less than that these days.

The 528E does not allow me to adjust attack and release times.  How is it that an industry-standard voice processor lacks controls for setting attack and release times?

If you ask most station engineers, they'd say it keeps people who think they know better from playing with the knobs.  The rack that held the 528e's in one particular station I worked at was hidden under the console.  Yet they still had to go to the extreme of having to install mesh covers over the knobs so jocks wouldn't play with all the settings.  The phrase "Make it idiot resistant or some jock will prove they're an idiot" has been repeated by radio engineers for decades.  Besides, if you want more dedicated control, you don't want an all-in-one processor box.  You want a separate compressor, a separate preamp, etc etc.

At our stations they (528Es) are behind locked glass doors underneath the console and quite inaccessable by most would-be jocks. Even for the engineers. I know, I had a time trying to get the settings wrote down for the then engineer. Next to the Program Director/Operations Manager I am the only one who knows where the keys are.