RNC, Symetrix, dBX, Triple C???

[c7sus]

Okay, I'm getting to the point where I wanna put some compression, and maybe even some limiting on acoustic guitar.

But there's too many damned options.

Everybody raves about the RNC, but I understand it's not really meant to be used as a limiter.

I read the posts this last week or so about the Symetrix stuff and it looks interesting too.

dBX is just too cheap on Ebay to ignore. Like maybe a 266xl.

The Triple C looks pretty damned cool too. I'm gonna assume it's all digital compression like the RNC. Anybody using the "C" to just knock down the low-end on acoustic guitars??? Also, is the "C" discontinued? One of the links I looked at off H-C showed Zzounds wasn't carrying it anymore.

Anyway, I wanna patch it between the Davisound and whatever media I'm recording too.

[nkjanssen]

Originally Posted by c7sus

The Triple C looks pretty damned cool too. I'm gonna assume it's all digital compression like the RNC.

The RNC is an all-analog signal path. Not so with the Triple C.

[chessrock]

Best used, cheap compressors:


* Symetrix 501 (earlier model w/ toggle switch)

* JBL / UREI 7110

* Aphex Compellor or Expressor

[SonicAlbert]

I have a Compellor and some Expressors, and they are quality items. The compellor is a little bit of a specialized tool that is not a typical compressor, so you may want to consider other units first. The Expressor is wonderfully clean, can do limiting, and has plenty of control. A great unit, and pretty cheap on eBay these days.

The Triple C is discontinued and is a digital processor. The RNC has an analog signal path. For what you want, i.e. compressing acoustic guitar, it seems like an analog compressor would be the way to go. I find them easier to use and more natural sounding. Just my opinion.

Also, try to avoid the cheaper DBX compressors. That would include the 266 series, and the 166a. I am a big fan of the older 160X and 160XT compressors though. Very easy to use and sound great in my opinion. Not everybody shares that view, but they are certainly better than the new project studio oriented units DBX is selling.

[mrface2112]

of course, your guitar, mics, pres, room and entire signal path will have a large impact on your sound as well as determining your need for compression....

my most simplest signal path for acoustic is Martin D15->pair of MXL603s->mackie 24*4 (used only for pres--inserts tapped for lineouts)->(comp)->Delta1010

i've got an RNC, and while i like it on a number of things, acoustic's not one of them. could be just me.....could be that i only tend to limit on acoustic tracks rather than compress, and the RNC (imo) blows as a limiter. beautiful compression though.

i've also got a symetrix 425 and while some have likened it to a dbx 166/266, i have to admit that i *really* like the character that it imparts to the acoustic tracks i use it on. of course, in this case, it really DOES work well as a peak limiter and i can't say i use it much as a compressor, per se.....but i DO like what it does to the tracks. granted, the dbx 266 was intended as a compressor for a guitarist's rig, so if it's a cousin to the sym425, then that might explain why i like it so much on guitar.

this is for tunes where the acoustic is the dominant instrument in the mix....i'll put one of the 603's in front aiming at 12/14, and the other 603 will be hung over the guitarists' shoulder.

for tunes where i'm just adding an acoustic backing track, i've gotten great results with my SP B1 about 3-4ft in front running into my symetrix 528. pretty fat and round tone, plently of pick "chicka", and almost always sits well in the mix. plus, i can dial in just about anything i need on the 528. i've been thinking about picking up a second 528 just so i have a pair.

on electric, i've got an ashly cl50 that works real nice for smoothing out levels, and it was only like $30 used.


ymwv. and don't be afraid to try elcheapo compressors, b/c you never really know when you'll find something interesting.


wade

[earworm]

the only reason why i'm not selling my TC triple c is its
ok , its clean and it works,
but its got digital outs,
i got a soundcard with 8 analog ins, all used,
then the TC goes to spdif, thats 10 inputs in total.

without that machine i'm limited to only 8 tracks at once,
i got it on drum overheads now,
i'm pleased with the quality

it sounds nice to me, but, its not that its super impressing,
so i don't let it work hard, just pass audio trough and prevent clipping

i'm keeping it,
rnc is unbalanced.....man...why