Reducing Hiss, on synths Options

[karambos]

some synths have a lot of hiss on them and when I compress the signal (out of necessity for the song) I naturally increase the hiss.

Is there any way to reduce the hiss when using a synth through an analogue desk and could it be my desk that's at fault - it's a Behringer MX2542A

[Barb]

Actually, upon further thought...

What are you monitoring when you record? The synth or the computer out?

Are the tracks loud/hot before you compress them?

Get them as hot as possible without distortion before compression. You are basically trying to manipulate the signal to noise ratio. It's a crapy way to deal with the problem because you are just masking the hiss with signal.

Are you using really good cables? Better to invest in some really good cables that a new mixing board to start.

Finally, why are you going through the mixing board with the synth and not directly into the computer