How to hook up an use Behringer MDX4600 Compressor Limiter Gate Podcast 

Extremely helpful. The step-by-step guide showing how cables are connected and the explanations on how the compressor works are well done. I was helped. Thank you Ryan!

This kind of tutorial is what I've been looking for. Less introduction and direct to the point.

Beyond awesome tutorial, behringer should paying you for that tutorial, top man

I just hooked up my Behringer MDX4600 and used your video as a guide. Worked great! Thanks!

Hi there! I have an issue can you help me pls! I have to use MDX with my mixer's Main Ins(erts) and the Main Ins connection is looks like different on my mixer. There are separated Left and Right insert channels! (Behringer XENYX X 2442 USB mixer) my question is, what kind of cable should I use?

THANK YOU!! I looked on RU-vid back in 2013 and early 2014 and could never find anything. THIS WAS THE VIDEO I NEEDED!!! Thank you so much!

This was FANTASTIC! Thank you. I've had this thing in my studio for a while and was never sure of what it was doing. I have it set up like you said now, and I'm loving it. Thanks.

Video-How to use & set up the Behringer Multicom Pro-XL MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate | Complete Guide & Instructions BEHRINGER MULTICOM PRO-XL MDX4600 COMPRESOR/LIMITER/GATE 4-Channel Expander/Gate/Compressor/Peak Limiter with Dynamic Enhancer and Low Contour Filter Behringer MDX4600 Compressor Limiter Gate copy Behringer MDX4600 AFFILIATE LINK: Please consider using my affiliate link to purchase this item if this free information and video were helpful to you. So, I must admit that I didn't really see a need for a compressor/limiter/gate when I first started podcasting and I did get by without it. I always prided myself on microphone discipline, but for my co-hosts it became a constant battle for me. Yes, you can get by without this piece of equipment, but it can make your life much easier as a podcaster. It can certainly increase the quality of your audio. You see, I am very familiar with my podcast equipment and how to get the best audio quality, but I can't say that my co-hosts really take these things into consideration. So, when I am going to be loud during a podcast I quickly realize I need to back up off the microphone. And, if I am going to be quiet then I get closer to the mic. Of course I am always watching my mixer level lights to make sure I am in the "zone". I have made my co-hosts aware of this, but when in the moment they often fail at these explained techniques. Even if you don't normally have co-hosts on your podcast I think the Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate can still be useful and improve your audio quality. Every podcaster knows that when someone "clips" or "peaks" the end result is poor audio quality and it can't really be fixed. No podcaster wants to have to deal with that, so we try our best not to let it happen and train our co-hosts. I purchased the Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate mostly for the "limiter" portion to help stopclipping when me or my co-hosts suddenly get too loud. So, you can set this piece of equipment up (see video above) and get it all fine tuned. Once you do so, you can talk as loud as you want while recording, but the limiter will kick in, sending quality (non clipping) audio to your end recording device. So, when you listen to the end product it sounds fine, even when me or my co-host got very loud. You can tell that we got loud in the scheme of our recorded conversation, but the audio quality is perfect and it doesn't clip or sound bad at all. That is what the Behringer MDX4600 is made to do and it does it well. I have the MDX4600 right below my Behringer HA4700 Headphone Amplifier/Distribution System in my frame rack and it fits nicely. I listen to my mix while recording using Sony MDR-7506 Headphones. The Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate also has a "gate" function that can be adjusted. Basically, you can set the MDX4600 (see video above) so that when sounds fall below a certain (set) decibel (dB) level a "gate" closes and no sound will get through to your end recording device. You can distinctly hear this in your headphones you are using to hear your mix. When I stop talking the gate closes and nothing can be heard in the background except dead silence. When I start talking again (above set dB) the gate opens and you hear me talk again. This can be useful if you have low background noises or are recording a Skype interview and there is a bit of background noise. Just know that if you had a loud fan in the background you would not hear the fan when the gate is closes. But, when you started talking and the gate opened you would hear both your voice and a loud fan. So, this function is really reserved for just getting rid of that low background noise when you are not talking (see video above for how it sounds). So, for a podcasting environment I highly recommend the Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate. I use it in a very specific way. Both to stop clipping/peaking and to knock out any very low background noise when I am not speaking. The MDX4600 has other functionality of course, but I don't use it. Podcast Settings for Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate (good "starter" settings) Button or Knob Setting or Position Trigger Knob 3 lines past "off" Threshold Knob 12:00 position "-10" Ratio Knob 12:00 position "4:1" Output Knob 12:00 position "0" Limiter Knob "0" dB position Compressor Button Pushed in Enhancer Button Pushed in In/Out Button Pushed in All other buttons Not pushed in Behringer MDX4600 Podcast Settings Knob & Button Settings Other information on the Behringer MDX4600: IRC (Interactive Ratio Control) expander/gate circuitry for virtually inaudible noise suppression Switchable dynamic enhancer for brilliant, lively audio even with heavy compression IGC (Interactive Gain Control) peak limiting circuitry combines clipper and program limiter for reliable and inaudible protection against signal peaks Switchable low contour filter prevents "pumping" due to low-frequency dominated compression Stereo couple function selectable for channels 1/2 and 3/4 Check out my "Learn to Podcast" video tutorial series: LTP Session 1 Three other FREE videos you will be very interested in: Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate Behringer HA4700 Headphone Amplifier & Distribution System Mackie 1202-VLZ4 Mixer

Ryan thank you for your time in making this video. I've searched literally EVERYWHERE for exactly a video like this. Truly, thank you for all your effort, you really educated me today!

DUDE! You have Cliff Ravenscraft written all over your set up. And I’m so grateful bc I bought all the equipment in 2013, including the tutorials of HOW to use it, never used it, now I want to use it, don’t know how, and am so glad I came across your channel. Thank you much!

Thank you so much and such a great step by step to setting this up! Going to take your podcast video course!

How to set up and record using a mix minus: This is a complete tutorial video on how to set up, use and record a mix minus in a podcast/broadcast type environment. AFFILIATE LINK: Please consider using my Amazon affiliate link to purchase any items if this free information and video were helpful to you. www.yourhitechredneck.com/amazon If you are a podcaster of into broadcast media of any kind then there will come a time when you want to record an interview via Skype or another online service. Most of us podcasters use a mixer of some kind. I use a Mackie 1202-VLZ4 right now in my podcast studio. I have always used Mackie mixers for podcasting and have nothing but great things to say about them. If you are using a mixer and going to record an interview then you will want to set up a mix minus. If you don’t, then the person on the other end of Skype will get a loop back and hear their own voice and it will likely be delayed. This is extremely annoying and it is very hard to keep your train of thought, so get rid of the loop back with a mix minus. Setting up a mix minus is very easy once you watch the above free tutorial video. I also provided you with a diagram (below) of how to set up a mix minus for your future reference. It is the same diagram I use in the video. Simply put, you are sending the person on the other end of Skype your entire mix, minus their own voice using the “aux send” out port and turning the “aux” knob for that particular channel strip off on your mixer. Your mix includes your mic inputs, Skype/computer conversation input, and another device such as an iPad or computer for your music input if you like. You then run a 1//8 inch TRS to 1/4 inch TS cable from you mixer out of the “aux send” port back into the 1/8 inch TRS (3.5 mm input jack) on your computer. All you have to do then is turn the “aux” knob on the channel strip your Skype conversation is on counter-clockwise until it is off. Boom, you have a mix minus. If this doesn’t make much sense I guarantee it will when you watch the video. Griffin iMic PodcastAFFILIATE LINK: Many newer computers only come withe a 3.5mm headphone jack out and not a 3.5mm input jack and you will need both for a mix minus podcast interview. To accomplish this I suggest you purchase a Griffin iMic, which connects to your computer via USB and then has both a 3.5 mm output and input jack. Minimum items you will need for a mix minus: Computer/Skype 1/8 inch TRS to dual 1/4 inch TS cable (computer to mixer)(a second cable if you are going to hook up another input device such as and iPad for music) 1/8 inch TRS to 1/4 inch TS cable (mixer back to your computer via the “aux send” port) Griffin iMic (if you computer doesn’t have both a 3.5 mm output and input jack) Additional: I always record into an external recording device and I use the Roland R-05 Digital Recorder. I prefer this over recording back into another computer using Garage Band or Audacity. Some podcasters do it this way, but I explain in my complete “Learn to Podcast” video tutorial series why that may not be such a good idea. Diagram of mix minus: Mix Minus Podcast Mixer Check out my “Learn to Podcast” video tutorial series: LTP Session 1 Two other FREE videos you will be very interested in: Behringer MDX4600 Compressor/Limiter/Gate Behringer HA4700 Headphone Amplifier & Distribution System

Hey Ryan, Thank you so much for this video. I come from a long line of heavy mouth breathers and I really liked the way you broke down and explained the knob functions.

Very thorough demonstration on the connection/setup of a limiter gate. When I purchased an Alesis 3630 Dual Channel Compressor Limiter with Gate there were not many instructional videos on the compressor. Thanks, Ryan!

Tried for days to hook up my Yamaha mixer THEN watched this and realised I did not have INSERTS so ordered a Mackie. If your paid for stuff is HALF as good as this tutorial then it's a steal of a purchase.

This was a FANTASTIC video, man. I am working on setting up my home studio for some podcasting projects that I am kicking off. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us the functionality of this compressor/limiter.

This is very valuable! I think is good for any studio setup! Thanks for the video!

Sir You have no idea what you have just done. I have had this for almost 4 years and you have just solved my headache. As if you knew. Just this morning i was lamenting that am not getting the best use cos i knew something wasn't right. i really needed to understand this compressor and you have just allayed all my problems. god bless you a lot am very happy.

Very good explaination of using this compressor. Thanks!

This video made me realize how wrong I was using my equipment. Just got done reconfiguring my rig, and it's never sounded tighter. Thanks for the detailed and helpful video. Nothing but the best.

This is how teaching should be. I am thinking about pod-casting now just by looking at this video even though I have no idea what podcast is.

Just got one of these things in the mail for our podcast. Thanks for the video, really helps!

Excellent video, thanks Ryan, very helpful, best video on youtube for podcasters wanting to use dynamics processing!

Awesome introduction to the what a compressor is and how it works. I honestly only knew the very basic of what it was, but this is much more helpful. Thanks!

Just to say thank you fir your tutorial you have helped me out loads once again the way you explained how to hook up the compressor i did mine first time thanks bro.

Magnificent tutorial, I really like a thorough explanation of anything!! Keep up the great work, it's much appreciated!

Ryan - thank you so so much for putting this out! after 3 years i finally will get to do this sound podcasting bits! you should do t-shirts and stickers! i would buy those all over the place! god bless!

The Mix Minus was an added bonus! Thanks!

Thank you so much! Excellent demo pitched perfectly for a new user like me!

Thanks so much Ryan.. just bought, this and you were awesome :), you made set up far nicer and I got to hang with a virtual and friendly Ryan! - cheers... subbed for sure, looking for more! :) cheers!

Good explanation and tutorial Ryan. Thanks for sharing.

Please how can I use it to set up for my drums set mics or is there any other device to use boss

Thanks Ryan, this saved me a ton of time! Nice work man!

hi,, can i connect music instruments via mixer to this compressor? what about the noise (distortion type sounds) coming from the instruments, will it cut it out?

Is the ring tip with insert input going to compress pre or post fader?

I need help setting up audio ducking. what cords go where?

Hi Ryan, thanks for making the video. I have an MDX4600 and I'm looking g at how other people use them. I'm using mine for band vocals and my drum kit gating between mica on each tom and drum if that makes sense. I notice that feom the instructions, then the gate button is not pressed, you are actually operating the expander and it acts as a threshold for the expander. When the gate is pressed, you see all the red lights in the gain reduction section come on when you stop talking. I'm sharing this so other people watching understand the MDX4600 better. If you Google MDX4600 instructions you can download the off for free easy where it details what I'm sharing here.

Extremely helpful! thanks so much!

Wow! great video, thank you!

Great video. Thank youfor sharing for all of us pod casting

When I plug my Behringer Pro-XL MDX2600 into my Behringer X1622 the sound gets cut by like 90% and the only way I get sound is if I turn the gain on the board all the way up. Do you have any idea why? Any help would be grateful!

Thank you for this video.. your instructions fixed a hissing and electrical sound I was struggling with. I was about to spend a small fortune on a mic amp... do you use one?

Thank you for this video it helped a lot !!!

+Dave Bourne can I use more than one mic on it?

How could I use this setup plus ad a cell phone for phone interviews?

Thanks Ryan, excellent video. I have this set up in my office and have the settings as you teach in this video. I find when I do a skype test call my voice is distorted badly for the person on the other end of skype (although it is crystal clear coming into the Roland R05). I've tried using ground loop isolators which help a little but still can't get a good output through skype. I tried using my macbook air and the quality is really good compared to my imac although when I have an ios device connected to the mixer for inputing music clips it affects the quality again. I've tried changing the mic AUX levels and that helps a little, probably the best improvement is turning the gain down but then my audio levels are not in the -12 - -6db range. Pretty frustrating, have you run into issues like this before? Cheers.

Can the mdx2200 be connected in the same manner it also is a behringer product?

bro how does dj sound will like.compressed and solid?

If you dont mind me asking what type of studio rack stand are you using?

Can you make a video explaining how to hook up a Behringer FBQ1000 ??? I have two different mixers one Mackie ProFX12 and a QSC Touchmix 8

Very detailed and informative brother! Thank you!!

superb explanation.. I just got a comp very similar mdx2600,, very good help for me.. thx so much.. :D

Great job ! Thanks !

Seriously amazing tutorial, Ryan! I had to buy a compressor myself to cut down on clipping. (Hoping it arrives today). Do you have any tips on reducing sounds from fans? I have a computer with some crazy fans on it, and thus far, I try to shut it off for my podcast recordings. It would be nice to leave it running. I had assumed the gate would stop that, but your fan demonstration prooved me wrong. Thanks, Ryan! Keep up the awesome work!

Cool deal. I have one of these in my studio. Never even used it yet. lol Should help me configure my vocoder.

Hi, Can you use Behringer MDX4600 for Karaoke? If yes, what is the setup please?

can i use this for guitar? if yes, how i do it?

Thanks for the really helpful guide man and for the reply below. Have you trying setting it up for a voice over in order to avoid using the mixer pontetiometers? I am sorry for making too many questions

I have a Behringer Xenix 1204USB mixer which does not have channel inserts. However, I was thinking of setting up each channel along the lines of: mic > pre-amp > comporessor/limiter/gate > mixer > recorder. What is the relative advantage of using a mixer with a channel insert versus having the signal flow through the component stack before arriving at the mixer?

I was asking you, I set the knobs as you set them, this setting can also be suitable for a band playing live, in that case the background noise given by the drums and the bass and guitar amps is quite loud, and if I close the gate too much when you sing on the microphone the parts of a song, softer than the voice are not heard, how can I adjust everything according to your experience? Sorry english but i translated it with google.

Can I hook up the MDX4600 with a XENYX Q1002USB mixer, if so how?

Hey, do you have a tutorial series about podcasting?

this TS cable for instrument or for speaker ? i mean like for example we TS for speaker we connect it to speaker and we TS we connect for guatiar . q 2 what if i used TRS to connect the compressor ?

Thank you for your time, I could not find you web page ...please help

Can you make tipical vocal male set for behringer mdx2600 vocal settings. Can you send paramiteres. Thanks

This is a superb video, thanks so much for the detailed coverage. I'm looking at the MDX4600 for a PA setup in a live band, but this was a very thorough overview for any application! Out of interest, how have you found the reliability of the MDX unit ? I've had real mixed experiences with Behringer. The *2496 range (DEQ,DCX,SRX,FBQ and so on) seem to be pretty good, but I've had a lot of failures on other ranges, and Behringer kit also seems to run pretty hot.

Ryan I have a Mackie proFX8v2 usb mixer. This mixer has no TRS or TS sleeve plugs in the back it just has 2 XLR male plugs that say main right balance and main left balance also it does not show AUX send on the mixer any where it just has a AUX knob for each channel. I dont know how many cables I need or where to plug them in. Im lost can you help?

Good video, thank you!

Without doubt the best tutorial on this topic. Would have been nice if I had found this before spending 1,000's needlessly

Well done mate.

Hey !!! Question how many mics can you use for this ? And is there any compressor/gate that can take 3 or more mics ?

Great guide, helped alot! I suggest not to be cheap on the cables though, buying good, shielded cables will prevent alot of noise over long distances, with bundled cables and nearby electronics.

hello can someone help me with name of this cable please

Thank you for the video ... can you make another video for the MULTIGATE PRO XR4400 or can I do the same thing you did for the Behringer MDX4600 on my MULTIGATE PRO! ... It's my first time using this things and I love to get into these awesome big machines .. I was working on a humble sound card and a dynamic mic but I want to go big ... I have that MULTIGATE PRO and I have the POWERPLAY PRO-XL and a very big Yamaha mixer ...

Thaaaaank you for this!..Excellent !

Thank you! this was very helpful.

Hi! I love your video. I tried to visit your website but seems like it has a broken link. I have a question, how can I connect my Behringer Xenyx 1204 USB mixer to my Behringer MDX 4600 gate/compressor? The Behringer mixer doesn't have the 2-way outlet as your mixer has... I'm open to suggestions. ..

Thank you so much

This is fantastic. thank you.

thanks for detailed tutorial.

Hi, great video very informative! I am looking at buying a compressor for my livestream at twitch. I currently use an audio technica at 2035 with a scarlett focusrite 2i2. I was wondering how I would hook all of it up. I'd like to keep the scarlett so I can hear my voice when I talk. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Man you are so right... there are next to no videos on this one.

INCREDIBLY EDUCATIONAL!

Hey Ryan. First off, thanks for the video. My question is that I have a Mackie ProFX8v2 and don't see any aux send but I do have a MON SEND. Is that what I'm suppose to use instead? Thanks in advance

Great job!

hi Ryan may i ask you question, i have compressor bbe maxcom. Can i hook stereo amplifier to bbe maxcom, from maxcom to my mixer. It is the right way too hook up. thanks

best video for what i wanted to know for vocals thank god for you

Ok, so like my behringer q1202 usb mixer has comp signal lights "stuck" like when ever i connect to power, it just automaticly lights up compression lights. anyone help me?

Awesome video. Thank you so much.

What if you don't have inserts on your mixer? Thanks, but great video!

I thought you can wire Channel I/O to the MDX4600 Input with just a TRS cable. The ring will act as return and the tip will act as send. No need to use a TRS to split TS cable?

well illustrated. nice and thanks!

Is there another possible way to connect the MDX4600 to a mixer if the mixer doesn't have inserts? I have Aux Returns and Aux sends. and ALT 3-4 inputs. The mixer I have is the Behringer 1204 USB FX

Guy am speechless your good Thanks a lot man. I appreciate.

hey, what about side chain? I wanna push away music sound when I talk. does this compressor have side chain function? It seems that this compressor doesn't have the sidechain input. I'm novice to broadcast so I am not sure even whether my Q makes sense or not. pls help:)

I followed all the steps, but am not receiving any input from the mics. I must be skipping a step. I know the mics are connected to the mixer and the mixer to the compressor limiter gate, but is there something else I'm missing. I have a Heil PR40 mic, a Soundcraft EPM 6 mixer and the Behringer MDX4600.

Good Morning. How do I connect an AUTOCOM MODEL MDX 1200 compressor to an M Audio Fast Track Pro?

hola, muchas gracias desde España , gracias

Ryan---what are you using for your interface to get your audio to your computer?

Great video Ryan. How is it however that I am still peaking over 0 in my digital recorder even though the MDX4600 is not peaking? Thanks for your help!