Gettin Hard---->What First: Compressor, Multi-FX,Multi-EQ

[laj35]

What's up Fellas,


B-Day has come and gone and now am considering spending a bit of cash. I've found that the routinely used soft-processors (ie compressors, fx, and EQs) I use on the PC (I use Waves Gold Bundle, Steinberg Mastering Edition, along with all plugs that come with Cubase 5.0, Wavelab 3.0, and Sound Forge 5.0) are usually fairly sufficient, but I'm considering investing in some hardware counterparts because:

A) I've heard mannnny times that hard kills soft for such schtuff.........
B) More interesting chains/options will present themselves........
C) "Save" and "Money" don't go near eachother..........
So basically I'm wondering:


1. Which Multi-FX Unit (200-350US$$)??? I was thinking about this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/49388 ; any good??

2. Which Multi-Band EQ (100-200US$$)??? This one OK:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/35451 ????

3. Which Compressor (100-250US$$)??? Behringer, but will it do:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/43290 ????

4. Which of these three (I only got cash for one; also, should somethin else needs to go 1st???) should I get first, or which will I use most I guess is the more fitting question?


---I'm mostly producing synthetic tunes, ranging from slightly dancey, to ambient, and even some Tortoise-esque space rock every now and then when I can jam with a guitar player. I'd like to have hardware that is able to process anything I can get a signal from. If you feel that I should just stick with my difrect-x/VST effects/processors than please voice that, I'd like to know some advatanges you get with hardware that aren't available with soft-processors.

As usual, any thoughts/ideas/help is really appreciated, thanks....



Laj

[MISTERQCUE]

I'll just reply to # 3! Your 1st comp s/b the RNC and a backup
s/b a Composer Pro. The RNC offers smooth compression
and transparent operation w/o the usual unwanted sound artifacts. The Composer Pro provides excellent limiting and gating features . Both products go for $170 & $90 respectively!

[laj35]

Thanks QUE!!!!




Laj

[TexRoadkill]

I'll second the FMR RNC for compression.

If you already have some decent modern effects units I would look for older gear to give you more "colors". A new $300 fx unit isnt going to give you anything you probably dont already have. How many crappy room reverbs does somebody need anyway

Some things you could probably get that are classics:

Boss effects pedals less than $50
Yamaha SPX FX
Roland SE50 FX
Korg M1 Keyboard or Rack
Roland D50 keyboard

[laj35]

Thanks for those ideas Tex, I couldn't find much on the first two, know of any good links??


I'm kinda suprised nobody else has any suggestions, guess I'm better off stickin with the plugs?!??



Laj

[dr.colossus]

as for multi fx, i second tex on the (roland) boss se-50 or se-70(they dont make em any more). the new behringer virtulizer looks pretty interesting...

however you should probably get the comp first, its not the most fun thing but its nesescary.. the dirt cheap autocom shits all over the compressor plugins i've used (but if i were you i'd get the composer or rnc)

[darrin_h2000]

Go to Ebay and get them all at once, You could get the Behringers usually for cheap.

Just bid on a Composer pro, virtulizer pro, and then pick a 2/15 eq. and you should be able to outfit the studio with all 3 for arround 200.00