[Phil W]

"bitrex":

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 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?

At least one guy in alt.audio.pro.live-sound liked the Behringer Composer
compressors better than the DBX 266. That was some years ago and I´m not
sure, if the Composer is suitable for what you want to do. Though, I´ve
heard and liked it on a live drumkit bassdrum - on the other hand, I had no
direct comparison to a DBX 266, back then.
Maybe you can find some friends with either device, who would let you borrow
it to check it out. Both devices should be in the price range for small home
studio setups, so it might be easy to find a source to borrow one from.
The DBX 266s are (or have been) quite common for smaller FOH setups, so you
might easily rent one for trial from a PA rental company in your area.


Maybe, that´s a bit helpful to you,

Phil