Reddit mentions of dbx 166xs Professional Audio Compressor/Limiter/Gate Dynamic Processor

For the microphone stand if you ever wanna change it...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSA1Rode--rode-psa1-professional-studio-boom-arm

These are excellent, I'm pretty sure Joe Rogan uses these now... can't remember. And he uses the SM7B so that was a noteworthy mention in your post.

For your other stuff...

https://www.amazon.com/dbx-166xs-Professional-Compressor-Processor/dp/B004NDJRKO/

Pick up one of these one day. You don't seem to use a limiter, your strip doesn't have one, and this will handle that, and this would solve the volume extremities issue with your stream where my wife gives me that look because you start yelling at some alt-right dipshit after I could barely hear you talking a second earlier. Thanks.

Then I would change out your mixer one day. It might have some noise you aren't happy with in the preamps (maybe not), and if so try one of these out. Allen and Heath is famous for having completely perfect preamps

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZED60-10FX--allen-and-heath-zed60-10fx-mixer-with-usb-and-effects

They make a much smaller one as well if you don't need that many channels, obviously.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZED6FX--allen-and-heath-zed-6fx-mixer-with-effects

But I'm not sure if it's up to the same standards and if you do that deal where you send some audio back in from the mic out on the computer, I always forget the terminology that podcasters made for that trick. Basically to isolate who is talking to you and put it into the mixer directly and you hear it and your audience hears it, and you can turn them down, etc... On my allen and heath I had to mess with it a bit to make that work right. Something to consider.

If you don't already use a RACK, might as well.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Desktop-Frame-Components-RK8OD/dp/B01NBPL8OP/

And I'd advise something like a power conditioner in the rack as well, keeps the gremlins out. I'm paranoid about sound, I use their cheaper power strips for my setup and it feels like it makes a difference, but maybe I'm tricking myself.

https://www.amazon.com/Furman-Conditioning-Outlets-Spacing-Voltmeter/dp/B00145EVJ6/

Just little things, but they probably won't be worth it overall. Stuff you might add to an amazon list or something. I'm a list guy. ;)

This is the exact one I am using:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NDJRKO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before I ask my dumb question, wanted to give a big thank you! Pretty much ready to throw in the towel here.

Alright: So do I apply any gain on my mixer? The microphone volume knob, and the stereo out knob both give volume. I've been using these to avoid mouth sounds. I then added more volume via the compressor's output. I kept the gain knob on the mixer all the way to the left.

Here's a picture of the mixer: http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/MG10XU-10-Channel-Mixer-with-Effects/J06370000000000-00-500x500.jpg

If I apply gain on the mixer, how do you stop mouth sounds? Tried everything from green apples to drowning myself.

Alright dude. I'll start with this and come back with the results. Would that be okay?

I'm confused on how to change my setup to only use the compressor/limiter/gate on channel 1 (or use both channel 1 & 2) of my mixer.

I have a A&H ZED-10FX, dbx 166xs, and a focusrite solo.

Currently I have the mic going into channel 1 XLR of the mixer, the main L & R XLR out going into channel 1 XLR of the dbx 166xs, and channel 1 XLR out to the focusrite XLR in and then out to USB to the computer.

I know this is not the proper way to set this all up but it has worked for a few months okay now.

Now I want to isolate the compressor/limiter/gate so that it only works on channel 1 of the mixer so that I can add in another input to it that isn't affected by the dbx.

I would prefer to only use 1 channel on the dbx if that's possible to avoid.

It looks like the mixer does not have a single insert per channel, but I do see a L & R 1/4" main mix insert. I think I need to somehow utilize that for the dbx and then just output to usb recording on the mixer and ditch the focusrite. I tried reading the manual for the mixer but it went way over my head as I'm pretty green to this kind of audio equipment.

If you want to do it properly, you will want a USB Mixer that has both built in FX and Insert channels such as the Mackie ProFX8v2

And a dynamics processor Expander/Gate/Compressor/Limiter such as the DBX 166xs.

The mics connect to the mixer, then you use 2 Insert TRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve) cables to run each mic into channel 1 and 2 on the back of the processor.

Inserts allow you to send audio to a processor and then back, all on the same cable (Example https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/STP201). It utilizes the 2 channels of a standard TRS connector, one to send, one to receive.

Because you have 2 mics in close proximity, the Expander and Gate will help limit spill from the other person talking further away, the compressor and limiter brings your dynamic range closer and boosts levels to increase your clarity.

This video explains how Inserts work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFArc1ZJdQw