When checking levels, speak normally and turn up the compression level until the "compression" LED barely flashes. Then, yell into the mic and see what happens. I found it best to record this experiment and watch the waveform response. The waveform remained consistent throughout, whether I was yelling or speaking normally. Our play-by-play announcers used the EZ-MCP1 during a basketball game and the results were fascinating. Levels remained consistent and the dynamic control was transparent. Attack and release times aren't noticeable. Absolutely no distortion was found in the chain anywhere. Essentially, during normal speaking the unit simply passes the mic audio along. But when levels exceed the desired threshold it smoothly pulls the level down to match normal speaking level without compromising the quality of the audio. The EZ-MCP1 would be useful in any audio plant as protection against transients, no matter what type of compression or limiting may be downstream. In fact, if the compression adjustment is turned up all the way, the unit actually makes a punchy little compressor limiter!

The simplicity of the EZ-MCP1 is misleading. The lightweight little box with two adjustments and XLR connectors in fact packs a punch. The dynamic control it provides is stellar and it can definitely improve intelligibility in a live mix or on-air situation where dynamics run amuck. For incessantly loud vocal talent, or environments where consistent voice levels are lacking, an EZ-MCP1 provides great relief from riding gain knobs and constantly tweaking compressors.

Wygal is the programmer and engineer for Victory FM at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.

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