Presonus Blue Max compressers?

[studiodrum]

Anyone have any luck using the Blue Max compressors. . . if not any suggestions for an inexpensive compressor, . roughly around $100-150.

I'm recording with a Tascam 424 mkII, so, its not that high tech of a system, I would be mostly using if for vocals, and maybe occasional on the drums--

But, I would still like something usable, that wont sound like crap. Thanks!

[Wireneck]

I've got two of them and they get the job done. The trick is to not rely on the presets. You should be able to find one for around or under $100. If your going to spend 150 or so I would pick up an RNC for a few more bucks.

[mixsit]

Same here. On a short stint with one, the presets were heavy handed (or at least the thresholds starting points too low)

RNC

Wayne

[StevenLindsey]

Not a bad little machine but not much headroom. And the threshold is fixed at -10 in manual mode so that's kinda limiting. The RNC for a little more is a Lot more compressor. My Blue Max is in the closet now..resting in its rack with the Blue Tube, both of which I'll sell you for about $150 if you really want to try it out. Like the man said, it'll do the job. But..I say....Get the RNC and don't look back.

[chessparov]

There are some other nice compressors under $150 used like;

1) Symetrix 501 (mono) try to get one with the toggle switch.
2) Ashly's both mono and stereo.

Presonus themselves have come up with another model like the Blue Max BTW.
(not remembering the model right now)
IIRC it streets for around $100 new.

Chris

P.S. If you can add $50 to the budget, also consider the new Joe Meek 3Q.
Mic pre/opto-compression/EQ. A mono unit, although it has a "mix"
input which is pretty interesting.

[Wireneck]

Chess-stop telling everyone about the Ashlys haha. My buddy has 3 of the Sc-50s and I've been trying to get one for a while. The prices seem to keep on going up.

[chessparov]

Originally Posted by Wireneck

Chess-stop telling everyone about the Ashlys haha. My buddy has 3 of the Sc-50s and I've been trying to get one for a while. The prices seem to keep on going up.

Well O.K. then.

Probably should mention though that they have a distinct coloration vs. the
clarity of the Presonus, let alone the RNC.

Chris

[vestast]

I use one for tracking bass with. I don't use a huge compression ratio, just enough to bring the lower notes volume down a bit.

Any heavy compression I might do is done while I'm mixing with my newly bought UAD-1 card.

[studiodrum]

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the input about the Blue Max compressor. It's Unfortunate that the main feature that everyone seems to agree that they don't like, was the 'PRE-SETS' !!! Its the one feature that I liked about the unit, aside from the inexpensive price, .. I guess I thought that the pre-sets would make it simpler to use, since I'm not that confident with doing my own recordings yet.

Do you think that their is another compressor out there--within that price range, that is easier to operate, or do you think that I should just use the presets initially-- then when I'm a little more comfortable with using a compressor, . .start tweaking the controls on my own-- without the help of the presets . . . any thought. . . ?

[deepwater]

I'm about to buy the new Joemeek 3Q for $199.99. You should check it out. You get compression and a nice preamp.