OK, today I'm thinking about compressors.

Here's what I have already:

2 x DBX 160X
1 x FMR RNC
1 x Summit TLA-100a

I'm recording more and more male and female rock/pop vocals, and not my
own voice. Cheaper would be better, but I suspect with the RNC I've
covered the low end of the market in one fell swoop.

I think I've got the basics covered - control of dynamics. What I guess
I'm wondering is, what's the next step, a cleaner more transparent
version of (i.e. upgrade of) something I already own, or a unit that
will add a completely different flavor. Thoughts?

tanx
e

--
Eric Frampton, keyboards Atlanta, Georgia, USA
http://www.ericframpton.com

(remove the year from the email address above to get my real address)

Eric Frampton wrote:

I think I've got the basics covered - control of dynamics. What I guess
I'm wondering is, what's the next step, a cleaner more transparent
version of (i.e. upgrade of) something I already own, or a unit that
will add a completely different flavor. Thoughts?

Cranesong Trakker?

--
ha

"Eric Frampton" wrote in message
...
OK, today I'm thinking about compressors.

Here's what I have already:

2 x DBX 160X
1 x FMR RNC
1 x Summit TLA-100a

I'm recording more and more male and female rock/pop vocals, and not my
own voice. Cheaper would be better, but I suspect with the RNC I've
covered the low end of the market in one fell swoop.

Can't go wrong with a Distressor, IMO - pretty versatile piece of kit, and
even though it's not in the "cheaper would be better" category you
mentioned, it kicks so much ass that if you can afford to get one, you'll
probably get so much use out of it that you'll soon find yourself wishing
you had seven (ok, maybe not seven, but at least two! lol). Also, I really
like the compressor in the Avalon 737 for vox - I know a lot of people think
it's a bit wimpy, but for vocals, I don't like to slam things going to
track, anyway, so a somewhat softer touch is nice to start with, even on
heavier rock stuff - again, IMO, YMMV, and all that, but you may not need
another preamp, so getting a 737 may not be a good option for you.

In the "cheaper would be better" category, I'd look into the dbx DDP... you
can pick 'em up on e-bay relatively cheap, look, here's one now for a $339
B.I.N. price!:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

....and here's another one starting at $125:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

and they are also extremely versatile, and pretty damn clean-sounding,
especially considering the price point.

Neil Henderson

hank alrich wrote:
Eric Frampton wrote:

I think I've got the basics covered - control of dynamics. What I
guess
I'm wondering is, what's the next step, a cleaner more transparent
version of (i.e. upgrade of) something I already own, or a unit
that
will add a completely different flavor. Thoughts?

Cranesong Trakker?

--
ha

I'll second the Cranesong Trakker. I've got two of them and they
indeed are units with a lot of different flavors available. Anywhere
from clean, transparent to as dirty, colorful as you want. The only
negative is, you really have to work hard to get it to distort or sound
bad. You can flat work some magic on vocals as well as bass, etc.
Also, makes a fantastic final buss compressor. You only hear it if you
want to!

I don't have a lot of compressors either and I don't care for digital
compressors.
2 - Trakkers
3 - RNC's
1 - Peavey VCL-2 tube (it's the mate for the VMP-2)
2 - Ashly C-100's

YMMV.

Wayne

Eric Frampton wrote:

a unit that will add a completely different flavor.

In that category, I humbly suggest you might audition an Atomic Squeeze Box from InnerTube Audio.

Eric Frampton wrote:
OK, today I'm thinking about compressors.

Here's what I have already:

2 x DBX 160X
1 x FMR RNC
1 x Summit TLA-100a


1176

1176
I agree

Drawmer 1968 was what I picked. Stereo or dual-mono FET compressor
with tube amplifier, goes from fast punch to smooth progressive
limiting, absolute clarity to Big Attitude!

The best of all compressor options for my needs and not a one-trick
machine. It's flexible enough I use it for tracking, mixing, and
2-bus, its speciality. Great metering, a breeze to set up, and a
decent price too.

Steve

1176
LA2a
Distressor
Manley variable mu


--
Steven Sena
XS Sound Recording
www.xssound.com

"Eric Frampton" wrote in message
...
OK, today I'm thinking about compressors.

Here's what I have already:

2 x DBX 160X
1 x FMR RNC
1 x Summit TLA-100a

I'm recording more and more male and female rock/pop vocals, and not my
own voice. Cheaper would be better, but I suspect with the RNC I've
covered the low end of the market in one fell swoop.

I think I've got the basics covered - control of dynamics. What I guess
I'm wondering is, what's the next step, a cleaner more transparent
version of (i.e. upgrade of) something I already own, or a unit that
will add a completely different flavor. Thoughts?

tanx
e

--
Eric Frampton, keyboards Atlanta, Georgia, USA
http://www.ericframpton.com

(remove the year from the email address above to get my real address)

Thanks to all y'all for the suggestions. I'm already familiar with the
1968, and the Atomic Squeeze Box is a bit out of my price range. But
I'll be running down to my local pro audio emporium and checking out the
Distressor, 1176, and Trakker (if I can find one).

Eric

--
Eric Frampton, keyboards Atlanta, Georgia, USA
http://www.ericframpton.com

(remove the year from the email address above to get my real address)

I've had great success with the TLA C-1 comp/limiter. It's a hybrid, but the tube stage is very warm
and pleasing.

--fletch


Steve Scott wrote:
Drawmer 1968 was what I picked. Stereo or dual-mono FET compressor
with tube amplifier, goes from fast punch to smooth progressive
limiting, absolute clarity to Big Attitude!

The best of all compressor options for my needs and not a one-trick
machine. It's flexible enough I use it for tracking, mixing, and
2-bus, its speciality. Great metering, a breeze to set up, and a
decent price too.

Steve

Eric Frampton wrote:
Thanks to all y'all for the suggestions. I'm already familiar with
the
1968, and the Atomic Squeeze Box is a bit out of my price range. But
I'll be running down to my local pro audio emporium and checking out
the
Distressor, 1176, and Trakker (if I can find one).

You might also consider a Drawmer DL241 if you see one of those
around, it's a fairly decent stereo compressor at around half the price
of the Distressor, good for drums and has usable auto settings. Maybe
give the Waves L2 a listen if you see one of them, at around $1650 it's
not too bad in price, has good converters and you can use one with your
DAW in the digital domain if you wish.


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Staff Audio / Fox News / M-AES
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits