HELP Requested: Why is my Track AudioFX getting PRE-fade levels?

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 6/28/2025, 2:04 PM

Hi!

As part of my audio processing, I typically will put a track compressor on live/Tap mics, and another one on my Music and/or Master outputs. This allows me to push up tap volume without necessarily causing music to duck.

If I have L/R tap recording, I'll send those to a separate "Taps" bus so I can adjust their levels concurrently.

It's worked well. Normally.

Today's project -- tap recording levels are a bit low so on the track I'm setting volume to +10

During playback I see the track levels peaking (e.g. +4) and the Master output reflects that too -- but the compressor isn't kicking in. I see levels on the Track Compressor but their input is way lower than the post-fader level is showing, and it's not doing anything. As if the TrackFX is processing pre-fade levels and not post-fade. Am I missing something? Pre-fade won't help me here. Do I have to send it to a bus to make it act post-fade?

Comments

bvideo wrote on 6/28/2025, 7:52 PM

@RedRob-CandlelightProdctns It certainly appears the track FX take pre fader from the track. 'Help' doesn't offer any way to change that. When wiggling just the track fader, there is no change to the input level seen in the compressor. Volume automation e.g. seems to come after track FX. If you're talking about the built-in track compressor FX, it has an input gain control; it's not enough? Maybe a different compressor would have more boost on its input.

On the other hand, sending a track to a bus offers a pre / post selector. Would it work to send your track post-fader to your bus and run your compressor on that bus?