New here! Looking at compressor limiter. Help??

[proclaim]

Hi,

I'm new to the site and I am looking at compressor limiters for overall performance, vocals plus minidisc recorded music. There are no instruments involved. I have been looking at the yamaha 2020, the DBX 1066, and the DBX 166XL. Which ones are the best for the price and for what I want to accomplish? Thanks!

[Big Kenny]

What's your budget?

[xstatic]

Personally, I would scratch the yamaha off the list all together. The 1066 is a little nicer than the 166, but may not make as big a difference to you as the money saved would. I don't think that any of them will work very well with program material (like the 2 track stuff you most likely have on the minidisc). Then again, if the tracks are pre-recorded, they really should not need any additional compression.

[SonicAlbert]

I think you would need a compressor that is smooth and un-noticable. Perhaps the FMR RNC would be a good one to look at.

[Mustafa Salaam]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

I think you would need a compressor that is smooth and un-noticable. Perhaps the FMR RNC would be a good one to look at.

What he said!

[proclaim]

Originally Posted by Big Kenny

What's your budget?

Big Kenny,

My budget is in the $250 range. However, we are recording soon and hope to save our money for it and buy the compressor later. As a result, I have been looking at prices and comparing, checking out Ebay and so forth to try and find a decent price. DBX seems to have some good stuff for what I am trying to do which is compress the vocals more than the music.

We are having trouble in smaller venues of controlling the vocals through the mains. We don't like to be too loud, but we also want to be able to hear our floor monitors.

We have thought of going the in ear monitor route, but it seems like every big group we see are consantly adjusting their ear monitors. Plus, it is expensive to get a decent brand for everyone.

Hopefully, I am thinking right about compressing the sound. I definitely want a clear sound as well.

That's why I came to this board for help.

Most of you seem to know what you are talking about. I appreciate your help.

[proclaim]

What do the letters stand for in those and are they in my price range?

Are they what I need to do what I am trying to accomplish?

Thanks

[SonicAlbert]

http://www.fmraudio.com/RNC1773.HTM

[xstatic]

Personally, I do not care a whole lot for the RNC. Its a good clean compressor if you aren't squashing too much. I don't really like the higher ratios though. I would seriously consider not compressing the music tracks at all and getting a DBX 160 for the vocal. In the studio people often use less compression (at least while tracking), but live i find you often times have to hit the compressor a little harder to get what you need. I just find that RNC's don't handle that type of compression that well. I guess I am one of the very few though that don't seem to like the RNC's as much as so many other people do though.

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by proclaim

... what I am trying to do which is compress the vocals more than the music.

We are having trouble in smaller venues of controlling the vocals through the mains. We don't like to be too loud, but we also want to be able to hear our floor monitors.

Just wondering about the application. Particularly if you were having trouble hearing the monitors or feedback problems, compression (at least in the monitors) could make things more difficult.
Wayne

[proclaim]

I just purchased a DBX 1066 on Ebay. I saved $152 dollars. Cool! Now, if we can learn to work it properly.