New to Vari-Groups...Need some help please!

[Limelight]

Ok, updated my SC48 software and am in the process of tweaking...neverending process right?!? Currently I use all 16 aux sends (5fx and 11 IEM mixes) and 6 of my 8 mono groups for parallel compression. I am going to do away with 2 channels of groups leaving me 4 Vari-Groups to play with. I need the abilty to add a few more aux sends which the vari groups will accomplish. My questions is this, how do I acheive the same results of parallel compression with regular groups now using vari groups? Do I just send whatever channel at unity to that group? Where can I select post fader pickoff for only these channels? Thanks guys!!

[vikingthor]

I think that vari groups don't have delay compensation, as they are seen as auxes an not as groups.

[Limelight]

Bump...........anyone doing this or have tried? If not, what configuration works best for a total of 11 montior mixes, 6 fx sends (not using matrix), and 4-6 groups on an SC48, thanks!!

[J2sound]

I'm kinda in the same situation as you. I'll let you know if I find anything out.

[rdobra]

They do act like Auxes but can be assigned to L/R. Which means delay compensation will work for this model.
I found that having the ability to do a specific send level from inputs driving hard the compressors ( like kick drum ) have sometimes made Variable Groups a better and more interesting option for double bussing.
Radu

[Limelight]

Fantastic, thanks Radu. I didn't even think to look at the L/R/M assignment availability. I'll try it out this week and report back my findings. Thanks for the help!

[digidesigner]

And don't forget you can pair these variable grops in busses menu and after doing that you can use stereo plugins on these pairs. Also some compressors have mix function built in, so using these you can have parallel compression effect by dialing in the mix button to taste without going thru the trouble of assigning stuff to LR and compressor buss and worries about delay comp (Waves H-Comp).
I'm running often in-ears and some wedges from FOH. I drive in-ears in stereo, so Aux'es 1-16 are my 8 stereo in-ears, variable 1+2 is my stereo compressed drums group and variables 3-8 are FX. Then from Matrixes I do the couple of additional wedge mixes that I need. On Profile, people using In-ears can also use PQ. Each musician will have stereo Aux mix from me with all the not-so-important channels as a stereo pair and then the important channels they can add to mix by themselves. Almost perfect setup, only if we could get independent User inputs per PQ mix!