Looking for (another) decent stereo(dual) compressor?
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Looking for (another) decent stereo(dual) compressor?
Hello everybody.
I'm in the market for a (new or used) sterer/dual compressor; under $300. Most of my gear is in the low-mid to high-mid range. I currently have a DBX 160A, RNC, ART VLA II, Drawmer MX30, & HHB Fatman.
I like my gear, but i'm always in the hunt for something else to add to the arsenal.
Any suggestions, or warnings, about what to look out for?
Thanks.
I'm in the market for a (new or used) sterer/dual compressor; under $300. Most of my gear is in the low-mid to high-mid range. I currently have a DBX 160A, RNC, ART VLA II, Drawmer MX30, & HHB Fatman.
I like my gear, but i'm always in the hunt for something else to add to the arsenal.
Any suggestions, or warnings, about what to look out for?
Thanks.
- A.David.MacKinnon
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I can't think of allot of stereo units in that range that are going to be that much better or different than what you've got.
I'd save up a bit more or start looking at cool, fun and cheap mono units. There are lots of fun one trick ponys in the $300 range. Off the top of my head -
Altec 1612 limiter/pre - great on rooms and rock vocals
Gates Solid Statesman - a very dirty brick wall limiter. I love it on room mics, parallel on the drum bus, lead guitars and piano. It wants to make everything loud. Sometimes that's awful, other times it's awesome.
Allison Research Gain Brain - A very fast FET compressor. Great on drums. You can find the cards for $150ish but you'll need a lunch box and power supply.
DBX163X - You could do 2 for around $300 and strap them for stereo. I prefer them on bass and electric guitar.
Micro Limiter - It's stereo but only really useful for destroying sounds.
or you could get another Pro VLA. I've got one in the rack and would love a second.
Also look at Ashley comps. They're pretty clean and tidy. Not a huge amount of mojo but they do the job just fine without drawing attention to themselves.
I'd save up a bit more or start looking at cool, fun and cheap mono units. There are lots of fun one trick ponys in the $300 range. Off the top of my head -
Altec 1612 limiter/pre - great on rooms and rock vocals
Gates Solid Statesman - a very dirty brick wall limiter. I love it on room mics, parallel on the drum bus, lead guitars and piano. It wants to make everything loud. Sometimes that's awful, other times it's awesome.
Allison Research Gain Brain - A very fast FET compressor. Great on drums. You can find the cards for $150ish but you'll need a lunch box and power supply.
DBX163X - You could do 2 for around $300 and strap them for stereo. I prefer them on bass and electric guitar.
Micro Limiter - It's stereo but only really useful for destroying sounds.
or you could get another Pro VLA. I've got one in the rack and would love a second.
Also look at Ashley comps. They're pretty clean and tidy. Not a huge amount of mojo but they do the job just fine without drawing attention to themselves.
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- Ryan Silva
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Yep a 1968 if you can afford it, but another 160a chained with your old one, also a good choice.ott0bot wrote:Junkshop pretty much layed it out there.
You kinda have the bases covered on the afforable units, so I'd save my pennies and get something like a Drawmer 1968. Something that will actually be a step up and sound good on mixes and a variety of sources.
The DBX 166, or 266 whatever the cheep ones are, is a far cry from the usefulness I have come to love from my 160a's. However, if anyone is just learning about compression the 166/266 have far more controls (attack, release) that may be good to know how to use. The 160a is one of those comps I will never sell.*
*may actually sell in the future
"Writing good songs is hard. recording is easy. "
MoreSpaceEcho
MoreSpaceEcho
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Thanks for help. It's good to hear some thoughts and insites on brands I have little to no experience with. I try and do some research on the internet about gear, but it's hard to cover everything. But, TapeOp is great for filling in the gaps.
I keep telling myself I should keep saving up for some higher end gear, but my gear coveting takes a hold of me, and I want to buy something NOW. I need to be patient grasshopper.
I keep telling myself I should keep saving up for some higher end gear, but my gear coveting takes a hold of me, and I want to buy something NOW. I need to be patient grasshopper.
- Ryan Silva
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Although it always seems better to save and get better gear. There is a lot to be said for buying cheep gear just to learn what you really want. What features you use most commonly, and learning that you like VCA compression, over Tube, over Opto, ect. That way you?re not spending a ton of cash on a comp that may not be suited to what you?re looking for.theslumlord wrote:Thanks for help. It's good to hear some thoughts and insites on brands I have little to no experience with. I try and do some research on the internet about gear, but it's hard to cover everything. But, TapeOp is great for filling in the gaps.
I keep telling myself I should keep saving up for some higher end gear, but my gear coveting takes a hold of me, and I want to buy something NOW. I need to be patient grasshopper.
That being said, it's really easy to pile up gear that you don't use anymore and is so cheep and common that you lose your ass on reselling it.
It can be very difficult to judge a unit in retail store environment.
"Writing good songs is hard. recording is easy. "
MoreSpaceEcho
MoreSpaceEcho
- Dakota
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The dbx original 166 (no "a" or "xl"!) is the good one. Kick, snare, toms, sometimes on other things.Ryan Silva wrote:Yep a 1968 if you can afford it, but another 160a chained with your old one, also a good choice.ott0bot wrote:Junkshop pretty much layed it out there.
You kinda have the bases covered on the afforable units, so I'd save my pennies and get something like a Drawmer 1968. Something that will actually be a step up and sound good on mixes and a variety of sources.
The DBX 166, or 266 whatever the cheep ones are, is a far cry from the usefulness I have come to love from my 160a's. However, if anyone is just learning about compression the 166/266 have far more controls (attack, release) that may be good to know how to use. The 160a is one of those comps I will never sell.*
*may actually sell in the future
+1 another 160
add: symetrix, mxr dual limiter
- Recycled_Brains
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