[Scott Dorsey]

bitrex wrote:
I'm looking for a decent fairly inexpensive ( $200) rackmount
compressor for a live sound application I have in mind. I've noticed
that the DBX 266xs is going pretty cheap these days - does anyone have
any experience with it? For my application, I'm actually _not_ looking
for a smooth and transparent compressor; I'd like one that is more
obvious and "effect-y" that one can use to crush the hell out of drum
loops and really make "pump".

I think you would be happier with the 266 than with anything else in that
price range. The rnc is a great clean compressor but it won't do what you
want. The other cheap compressors out there mostly fall apart when you
try and squish that much. So many of the other ones have been discontinued
as the world goes digital. But I think the 266 is worth at least checking
out.

I mean, in a perfect world you'd buy a Distressor for that, but you won't
find a Distressor for $200.

There used to be a lot of other choices out there that are gone, but might
show up used. You might find a Symetrix 501 for cheap, and they are really
handy for that sort of thing.

I also need a rackmount expander/gate. I know that many compressors
include this function as well, but for my application I'd like a high
quality one where the thresholds can be set very precisely. Any
recommendations?

The Klark-Technik is great... but I don't think it fits your price range.
I can say that I am not impressed with the Behringer Multigate, which I
keep encountering at music festivals. One band brought in a BSS which
seemed good....
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."