Where is the best place to patch a compressor or gate on an analog console?

Patching a compressor or gate on an analog console is best done at the inserts. Inserts provide a direct connection to the signal path, allowing you to manipulate the audio signal as it passes through the channel strip. This placement enables the processor to receive the signal before it continues on to further stages, such as the mix bus or auxiliary sends.

Using inserts means that any dynamics processing applied will take effect on the raw audio signal, ensuring that modifications such as compression or gating occur in the intended way. This is crucial for maintaining the desired texture and dynamics of the sound during both live sound reinforcement and recording.

The other locations, while useful for different functions, do not offer the same level of direct signal manipulation as inserts. For instance, the master section affects the overall output of the mix and would not allow for individual channel processing. Main outputs are where the final mixed signal is routed out, which is not suitable for inserting effects. Aux sends are primarily used for creating headphone mixes or sending signals to external effects and do not accommodate direct signal alteration in the same way that inserts do.