Mix-down compressor?

[Booze_Cruise]

Hi peeps
Im after a (relatively) cheap compressor soley for the purpose of mastering the whole track.
Im currently looking at the RNC/RNLA or the focusrite penta/mixmaster.
It would be helpful to speak with someone whos had experience for a couple of these units to get some ideas of the percieved benefits between them.
Im edging towards either the RNLA or the RNC atm, however im not sure how suitable these compressors are going to be for mixing down (im not sure if that was ever their intended purpose), and im also not sure between the FMR's which product would be more suitable for the task.
Thanks

[mrbowes]

What type of music are you "mastering"? What do you think you'll gain from a compressor on the mix?

Do you want something that adds color or remains transparent?

RNC = less colored, RNLA = more colored. The RNC will do the job OK.

IMO, I wouldn't even consider buying a cheap compressor for the 2-buss. You won't find the magic glue of a SSL buss comp in a $200 compressor, and I can tell you that from experience.

[Booze_Cruise]

Im producing/mastetring electronic music (dnb), i basically want something fairly subtle and transparent that will level out the mix.
But yeah the FMR range is looking like the it might well do the job atm, ive also been looking at the toft stereo dc2 compressor, but i cant find much personal experience of that unit on here or gearslutz.
And funny you should mention the SSL, someone was telling me how he built a clone of the ssl mix bus compressor for relatively little money.
Its tempting as i could never afford the 'real' thing, but i know how projects like that can end up taking waaay more time than you initially anticipated.

[mrbowes]

It's not expensive to make an SSL clone, but it's a hassle for sure. i think the DIY ones have a market value of around $1k.

[pohaku]

There isn't much around in the way of a cheap compressor that is suitable on mix buss, IMHO. I've got a couple RNCs and while it's doable, it's not ideal. I'd suggest looking at an Aphex Compellor if what you are looking for is very (and I do mean very) transparent compression to pull things together. They are relatively inexpensive used and relatively plentiful. I expect you would want to get a relatively recent model (I have an older one) - so look carefully as they are not all the same.

[Booze_Cruise]

Well two people have now said that something of a higher price range is only suitable for the mix bus, so i may have to take heed and spend abit more, or shop around second hand maybe.
Ive googled the aphex compellor and that unit actually looks right up my street thanks pohaku, also keeping an eye out for any info on the toft dual channel compressor as well.

[mrbowes]

Are you compressing individual tracks? Are you compressing sub groups of the mix (like drum buss, guitar buss, synth buss)?

You might try experimenting with compression on a sub-mix basis before jumping into mix-buss compression.

[xstatic]

Of all the affordable comps mentioned here so far, a compellor is the only one I would dare slap across a mix buss. i do not have much experience with the RNLA, but there is no way I would feel good about putting RNC's on my mix buss.

[pohaku]

In fact, Big Kenny has a Compellor for sale in the Classifieds right now.

[Yoda117]

I know that the price might be prohibitive for most, but I'm still leaning towards Cranesong's stuff in cases like this.

While I don't normally jump on the hype bandwagon with most gear, I'm definately in love with my Trakker. The more I've used it, the more I've enjoyed what it offers.

[mrbowes]

The OP is looking at an RNC and RNLA, which run around $200. A Trakker is around $1800 for a mono channel, so I think $3600 for a stereo comp might be a smidge out of his budget.

But hey, I could be wrong.

BTW, do you have a pair of Trakkers you use on the mix-buss?

[mrT]

If you aren't attached to the hardware, plugins could be the answer. Better bang for the buck IMO.

[Booze_Cruise]

haha yes mrbowes is right, little out of my budget the cranesong, although i would definitely buy it if i had the cash
I think im probably going to go with mastering on the pc for the time being, since there doesnt seem to be much out there in the low to mid price range worth bothering with.
Long term i think im going to have a go at building that SSL compressor, ive been speaking with a guy in the UK whos made one and knows some good local suppliers for the parts. It will probably end in tears and runny solder but hey, i like making life difficult for myself for some odd reason.

[tc4b]

I am a huge RNC fan, but not for mixdown. It makes my bass sound like a tuba. Love it for vox, guitar, and guitar cab, as well as a few other things. But not for mixdown. I use plugins for that.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by mrbowes

The OP is looking at an RNC and RNLA, which run around $200. A Trakker is around $1800 for a mono channel, so I think $3600 for a stereo comp might be a smidge out of his budget.

But hey, I could be wrong.

BTW, do you have a pair of Trakkers you use on the mix-buss?

Like I said... it was cost prohibitive.

FWIW, cheapest price on a new Trakker is 2100 for mono, double that for stereo.

IF you're going that route, the STC-8 is probably your best shot for mastering.

And yeah, I own a set of Trakkers (and some other CS gear).

For Christmas, Santa is bringing me a set of Lil' FrEQs

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by Yoda117

Like I said... it was cost prohibitive.

FWIW, cheapest price on a new Trakker is 2100 for mono, double that for stereo.

IF you're going that route, the STC-8 is probably your best shot for mastering.

And yeah, I own a set of Trakkers (and some other CS gear).

For Christmas, Santa is bringing me a set of Lil' FrEQs

I wana meet your Santa..

[Ford Van]

A cheapo compressor is not going to offer much luv for mastering. I would avoid them.

A Compellor would be alright. Not exciting at all, but it would control dynamics, although, it won't do much else for the sound.

A SSL buss compressor I think is best used on sub mixes. On a whole mix, it would either be too little or too much. It has a very unique characteristic, and you use it because you WANT that characteristic on something. I would never want it on my whole mix!

The Cranesong STC-8, Massenburg Model 8900, and a Manley Vari-Mu are the three best "mastering" compressors I have ever used. The Emperical Labs Distressor is sort of in that "great" group, although I did not find them terribly exciting like the above units!

The Cranesong offers a very "sweet" sound to everything. It is hard to get this unit to sound "bad".

The Massenburg really does a nice job on audio that needs the tone sort of "rounded" out. What it does to the low end is unlike any other compressor I have heard. I have no idea WHY it makes the low end so nice, but it does!

The Manley is very "classic" sounding mastering compression to me. It is FAR less "surgical" than the Cranesong and Massenburg and offers a level of "excitement" to the sound. It melts things together very well like the Cranesong, but also sort of provides a bit of "action" to the dynamics. It is hard to explain what I mean. It just has character, and it is a character that is desirable for mastering on a LOT of material.

It would be hard for me to pick between those three. I guess if I was going to run a mastering studio, I would get all three! Each works well for certain kinds of material!

If I had to just pick one, it owuld be the Cranesong though. It just seems to be the right blend of everything. Next would probably be the Massenburg. It has a degree of control none of the others have.

Good luck.

[Yoda117]

Dude, I've used some of George Massenburg's stuff... primo.

Still not trading in my Cranesong stuff. It's one of the rare companies that actually lives up to the hype.

I've got both an STC-8 for mastering, and two Trakkers for compression-limiting on VO-specific purposes (don't ask me why I have both).

I love them and they were definately worth the pain suffered when looking at my credit card after purchase.

Tied up to a 610 or PEQ1-R brings some real magic to the chain.

[FALKEN]

what kind of compressor is that STC-8? what else does it sound like?

[Ford Van]

It sounds like a STC-8!!!

[FALKEN]

ok fine. album reference? by the way I looked at the price of those things and just a *Tad* out of budget.

[Ford Van]

Look around at some mastering facilities equipment list, then view their artist page. THAT is your "album reference".

[Booze_Cruise]

Originally Posted by tc4b

I am a huge RNC fan, but not for mixdown. It makes my bass sound like a tuba. Love it for vox, guitar, and guitar cab, as well as a few other things. But not for mixdown. I use plugins for that.

Im thinking of getting a couple of RNC's anyway in the mean-time, not for the mixdown but just for taming things in the mix.
What do you mean exactly when you say it makes your bass like a tuba btw? do you mean hollowed out or loud and boomy?
Im think of using a few rncs for gentlely compressing/limiting some of the bass and percussion elements in the mix, would this be a bad idea do you think, is the rnc more suited for vocals/guitars?

[FALKEN]

Ford Van,

you are talking about how good this comp is but you can't tell me if its FET, VCA, Tube, or what?

[Ford Van]

No, I just choose not to tell YOU what it is!

Most guys can do their own research. I will treat you no differently!