Connecting EQs with Dynamics Processors, Audio Spectrum Analyser

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Good morning and a very happy New Year to all on the SOS Forum.

I am looking for some advice on two topics:

1. Sidechain

I have a collection of dynamics processors, both 2-channel and 4-channel ones. All the 2-channel ones have two sidechain inserts, while the 4-channel ones have none.

I also have one dbx 231s Graphic Equaliser.

All these would be routed through patchbays.

Without any compressors / limiters / gates, the normal option I believe is to connect the EQ in series with the main output of the mixer to the power amp / speaker system. But in my case, if I were to utilise the sidechain availability, I can still patch the EQ to a compressor depending on which channel I am working on.

I need to figure out how to connect the EQ where there is no sidechain available, as with the 4-channel processors.

2. Audio Spectrum Analyser

I was sifting through the user manual of the dbx 231s Graphics Equaliser and came upon a paragraph as follows:

"When used with an audio spectrum analyzer the EQs can tune any acoustical environment -- from the studio to the concert hall -- to stop ringing, increase clarity, and tailor the overall frequency response of the environment. A real-time spectrum analyzer or other types of audio environment analyzers are very useful in determining the amount of equalization needed."

I found this interesting and am keen to find out more, to see whether the sound in my home studio can be "tailored" suitably. Any idea as to what exactly does it mean by the term "audio spectrum analyzer"? Is this a hardware unit or a software unit or either? Do they come cheap (the hardware)?

[Sam Spoons]

Is you collection of processors hardware or software, and what specifically are they?

WRT spectrum analysers they come in both hardware and software. But, for your needs some kind of 'room correction software' would be better. Bear in mind it doesn't work miracles and works best in a well treated room.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ro ... n-software

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Hi thanks for pointing out. I should have said right in the beginning. All these are hardware units, mostly salvaged or ore-owned. The list is as follows:

2 x MDX2600 - with two side chains
2 x MDX4600 - no side chain
2 x 166xs - with two side chains
3 x 166xl - with two side chains
1 x 1046 - no side chain

241s - EQ

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Sorry 231s. My mistake