$400 and I need a new compressor

[miker73]

what I've considered:

RNC
Presonus ACP-22
Blue Max
Behringer
Joe Meek C2

opinions????

and for God's sake, I have a 3630 if anyone needs a door stop

Michael

[bvaleria]

A pair of RNCs would do ya nicely... (like I had to say that!!)

Bruce

[engineear]

Ditto Bruce on the RNC, and I've found another good use for the 3630 especially if you live in a snow or ice filled environment... throw it under the wheels of your vehicle, be it front or rear wheel drive, for much improved traction and added stability in cornering. Take special care however, NOT to use the 3630 in a slushy MIX of snow and ice....because as we all know A 3630 WILL MESS UP ANY MIX!

[MISTERQCUE]

The 3630 is the BEST Compressor In The World!

Seriously,RNC,1st choice. Behringer Multi-com 2nd!

[miker73]

much appreciated ( I expected the RNC reccomend. from Bruce )

think I'll pick one up, if it's all you guys say it is, I'll go ahead and get another ( and one of those nifty rack-mount kits on mercenary )

thanks guys,

Michael

[bvaleria]

The rack mount faceplate for 2 RNCs is way cool.... I bought one 'bout a month ago... looks great!

Bruce

[miker73]

did you get the regular one or the "Chevy" ( or whatever ) one?

[Eebaf]

there is also the mindprint t-comp

[Napoleon Solo]

They're over half off, everywhere - $369. Get one. NS

[brad719]

check out http://www.fmraudio.com. they make the "really nice compressor" this is one of the best compressors i've ever heard. they only cost 180, you can't beat that price for a good stereo compressor.

[bvaleria]

Originally posted by miker73
did you get the regular one or the "Chevy" ( or whatever ) one?

I did get the regular text one - they're both "Chevy Style", but the control text on one is "car-related" (acceleration - meaning "gain") and the normal-styled version has the same text as on the RNC controls.

Bruce

[Ziller]

Glad I read this. I am somewhat new to home recording, have a Tascam 414, and decided to invest in a compressor. There's an Alesis 3630 at the local music store for $169, but from reading this thread it doesn't sound like a good investment. (Though I do live in a snow and ice filled environment, so I could find a use for it). There's also a dbx there for the same price (don't remember the model)

What's wrong with the 3630?

So, for about the same price, sounds like the RNC is the way to go.

If this is a sterio compressor, why would you need 2? To have independent control over each channel?

Thanks
Jasper

[miker73]

Yeah, stay the hell away from the 3630.
And, it's been my understanding/experience that the lower-end dbx's leave alot to be desired.

The RNC seems to be the compressor of choice around here ( and I'll be getting one really soon )

The RNC is a stereo compressor but one set of controls for both channels, so you would need two of 'em to have seperate controls over 2 channels ( does this make sense??? )

$175 for the RNC at mercenary.com

Michael

[rohlson730]

Curious,
I've heard some pretty good reviews regarding the Joe Meek. Why the RNC over Joe Meek?
Steel

[bvaleria]

The RNC is a $2000 compressor at a $200 price. (Seriously - not hype!)

The problem with the 3630 (and many others at lower price points) are the audible artifacts that occur in operation.

I haven't used the Joe Meek unit, but if it's like their other products, it imparts it own "sound" to a signal sent to it, so if you're looking for transparency, that unit's not for you. In contrast, the RNC is extremely transparent.

I was skeptical when I first heard about them ($2K sound for $200 - sure - sounds like an infomercial...), but after repeated recommendations about these units from the top guns at rec.audio.pro (got top marks even from Fletcher! the fact that he even sells 'em at Mercenary points to their level of quality), I bought into them. I plugged 'em in, ran a signal thru and I was STUNNED. If you didn't look at the meters, you couldn't tell the thing was even working!!! You'd be hard-pressed to find as good value for your money as those little boxes in the audio industry.


Bruce

[CyanJaguar]

the joemeek ,as Bvaleria said, definitely does color the sound. in a very good way. Think of it as color that makes your input actually sound better. That is why it won the prorec.com award.

Although I don't doubt that the rnc is as good, and may be better if you need transparent.

[miker73]

So, after we got more projects ( and thus, more $ ) in the last month, I went ahead and bought a Joe Meek VC1Q. So far, I'm pretty damn pleased. I'll let you all know more the more I use it ( just got it yesterday and cut about 20 seconds of a vocal overdub on it, ran bass through it for about 2 minutes ).

thanks to all for your input, I'll keep you posted

Michael

( still think I'm gonna pick up an RNC, so your reccomendations weren't in vain, Bruce! )

[scroticus]

i use an ART tube vla for vocals and bass, i like it a lot and so do my customers, i'm itchin to try the rnc though, if you can use the computer to edit your trax then i strongly recomend the waves plugin "renisance", please excuse my spelling, i'm functionaly stupid, lol
THE 3036 IS THE DEVIL IN THE FORM OF A COMPRESSOR, THE GATE IS A USELESS AS A WONDER BRA ON PAMELA ANDERSON, MMMMMMMMM
BOOBIES, LOL

[edgarderbylive]

boy do i feel like a complete buttwipe!!!

i am an avid alesis fan, and i bought a pair of 3630s for mixdowns....i happen to find them decent----certainly better than no gate at all.....but i also have the DBX project 1 preamp/compressor/limiter/gate(with the onboard de-esser---way cool) and the ART tube compressor ---for the money the dbx is awesome for anything and the ART is very cool for direct bass --- especially when used with the ART tube MP---Beefy!

[Blue Bear Sound]

Given the choice of using no compression/gate or a 3630 for anything, I'd go with NO compression/gate. The 3630 adds SO MANY audible artifacts on any signal going thru it (even just thru the gate!), it's essentially useless...

Alesis did very well on their ADAT and Masterlink units - they are top-notch, but that doesn't mean everything they produce is a gem - their low-end effect processors are pretty much just that -- bottom of the Behringer (oops, I mean barrel!)

Bruce

[edgarderbylive]

well suck me sideways!!!

LOL--- everyone hates that thing except me i Guess....its definately not the best in the world...but ill be danged if i gave in to those musicians friend prices and bought a beringer compressor...i had one of those and it stunk worse than my little girls diaper after a hearty serving of beef and noodles!! Tasty!! but does anyone else have or use a DBX project one??? i bought it at a local raggedy music store for a hundred bucks and a feel like i got the deal of the century on that thing....