Which compressor to buy under 500 quid?

omen80

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a compressor under 500 euro? It's only for home use and I would be recording mainly acoustic / electric guitars, bass, cajun drum etc........no big drum kits or anything! I have a focusrite ISA preamp which is crystal clear so I wouldn't mind having something that could add a bit of warmth to the signal every now and then.
I've heard good things about the FMR RNC and RNLA but they only use unbalanced inputs, would that make much of a difference for my purposes? I like the small size of it which would fit nicely onto my desktop. There's also the Joe Meek MC2 and DBX 166XS.
Any tips appreciated.

Thanks

peppy123

hey, i know this isnt what you asked but i think ull find some help here http://www.gearslutz.com/board/ its all gear talk and alot of it useful might find help from some "pro's".

Robin Ball

Have a look into the ART VLA Pro II. I have one that I switched out the ruby tubes for NOS's. It's a great buy for under 500..... and it's a dual channel!

madtheory

Waves Rennaisance compressor plugin.

omen80

madtheory wrote: »

Waves Rennaisance compressor plugin.

I need something for recording though. I've tried routing the signal through a track with a compressor plugin on it but there can be a slight time delay.

DamagedTrax

omen80 wrote: »

I need something for recording though. I've tried routing the signal through a track with a compressor plugin on it but there can be a slight time delay.

some plugin compressors add latency to the incoming signal like you experienced. some dont.

TroutMask

Many people like the RNC. A used BSS DPR-402 is good too.

Squidgy Black

The thing you have to remember when tracking with a compressor in the chain, is that once you record it, you can't simply reduce any of the settings or remove it, as opposed to a plugin.

stateofflux

you cant go wrong with UAD bundle ( includes the classic la2a & 1176ln compressors)...it includes a pci card

http://www.thomann.de/ie/universal_audio_uad2_solo.htm

im also a big fan of the api 2500 & ssl g comp... both industry classics

studiorat

Here's a nice one > http://www.thomann.de/gb/summit_audio_tla50.htm it's €600 but it will do what you are looking for it to do.


The 160A is the only DBX I'd go for.

frobisher

Why do you want the compressor going in? I'm not saying you shouldn't, just wondering what you're after. How many audio tracks do your recordings typically have?

I think I understand what people mean when they say 'warmth' but I often find it in places others don't and vice versa. Do you mean 'omph' or less clinical or something else?

I have the RNC. It's good, and for the money they can be bought used they are incredible value.

omen80

frobisher wrote: »

Why do you want the compressor going in? I'm not saying you shouldn't, just wondering what you're after. How many audio tracks do your recordings typically have?

I would only be recording either one or two tracks at a time, depending if I want the source mono or stereo.

frobisher wrote: »

I think I understand what people mean when they say 'warmth' but I often find it in places others don't and vice versa. Do you mean 'omph' or less clinical or something else?

No I don't mean "omph", I mean adding some character or making it less sterile.

frobisher

http://www.adverts.ie/recording-equipment/fmr-really-nice-compressors-x-4/1248601