How to Run External Compressor to Mbox1

Hey everyone, Most of the vocal recordings i've done, i have not added a compressor to the input vocals. It has worked good, and i just add compressor to the recorded track. Over the weekend i recorded vocals for a girl with quite a set of pipes! I wished I'd had comp on her mic going into the MBox! I have a Korg A3 Processor. It has some settings for vocals which have a compressor on it. Rather than inputting my mic to the processor, and then from the processor to the Mbox . . . i'm wondering if there is another way to do it, such as signal routing it through the inputs/outputs on back of MBox?? I'm not too good at this, so any help would be appreciated! thanks TDub

Use the inserts on the back of the Mbox. (USUALLY tip send, ring return, you'll need a y-cable). Watch that you don't overdo the compression while you're recording...it's a real bugger to try to undo...

To my knowledge (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), the inserts on the back are hardwired to the pre's on the Mbox1. So the first insert goes to the first pre and the second insert is wired to the second pre.

sorry, i'm really new to this part of things . . . what exactly am i plugging into where?? Think i'm gonna need some real detailed explanation to ensure i get it set up right. thanks for the replies!

You can not use the inserts on the mbox once material has been recorded. The inserts on the mbox are post-preamp, pre-converter. So for compression while tracking (next time you do it) you would hook a standard TRS insert cable to the insert jack, and then the proper branch of the insert cable to the input, and the other one to the output of your external compressor.

So let me know if this is correct: Basically, run my Vocal Mic into the processor. Then out from the processor and into the Mic Input on back of MBox? Is it that simple?

TDub, Does your "processor" have a built in microphone amplifier ? If so..yes the first move is OK. However, you'll want to run the output of it to the line in of the Mbox ! Why don't you just try the "insert" method as spkguitar suggested above ! good luck, BTW..I did some searching on that Korg A3 unit. It is a fairly mediocre quality guitar FX processor !!

agree 100% on the mediocre part. Just wanted to see if the comp on some of the vocal settings would work at all. I guess I didn't quite get SPK's advice ... i'm a not too experienced with running any outboard gear. Need more basic explanation ; ) thanks

hahahah, sadly, it wouldn't hurt!! No, I THINK I've got it now! I'll give that a try and see what it sounds like. thanks for the help, TDub