S com compressor

[ashulman]

Anybody have any opinions on the S com compressors?

[acorec]

I have one. I only really use the noise gate. I like it. It has alot of features and all settable. A great value for the bucks.

[ashulman]

Can I ask what you use it for? I am looking for something for vocals.

[acorec]

I use it between the Mic/Instrument preamp (focusrite) and my mixing board inputs. Very clean and quiet. It works so well that I usually forget it is there. I think the unit has a compressor/limiter/noise gate/expander/exciter. I really haven't used much else but the expander and noise gate. But, it works great for vocals and instruments. I can set it so that the noise gate is totally transparent. You cannot tell when it is on or off. Control over the settings is worlds better than similar equipment I have tried.

[acorec]

......I forgot that it has balanced ins and outs. That is a very good feature in this price range.

[ashulman]

I just picked it up last night but did not realize the inputs were line level. Now I guess I need an inexpensive mic pre.

[Stefan Elmblad]

Originally posted by acorec
You cannot tell when it is on or off.

Then, what use do you have for it ?

[acorec]

Originally posted by Stefan Elmblad
Then, what use do you have for it ?

Two seconds after I wrote this post, I read it and realized that I should have said that you cannot tell when the gate cuts in or out. The S-com has a really smooth noise gate.

[Rossi]

Whenever I look at one of those Samson S-line units, it looks like a Behringer except for the color. The similarities are particularly striking with the headphone amp, but the compressors, too, look pretty much like the Autocom and the Composer. And sure enough they're all made in China. I wonder if they aren't pretty much the same inside as well. Now, when Behringer copies, they at least sell it cheaper than the original. I don't get the point of Samson - presumably - copying Behringer and selling it at twice the original price. They even cut features the Composer has such as hard bypass, which to my knowledge none of the Samson units has. I'd rather check out the MDX 2600 composer pro-XL. I don't think the Samson can do anything the cheaper Behringer can't, on the contrary. And it's a good deal cheaper, too.

[MiXit-G]

I think Behringer compressors sound terrible.

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by MiXit-G
I think Behringer compressors sound terrible.

Yo' Mix-it-Master-G, I don't understand your statement about
"sounds terrible" when a comp is basically a dynamics processor
rather than a signal processor.
Beh's comps,while not the greatest, produces more than adequate processing less the inherent and unwanted sound artifacts produced by,say a 3630 or a Zoom. The Composer's limiter is capable of shelving peaks(especially when utilizing the Peak Lmtr function @9db's+) faster than my RNC. When incorporating unit's gates at a hi-thresh and attack higher than 1.2, there is no audible "residue" present which can be verified by observing output meters of board or recd'ing medium, even when using a "slow" release.
Being a gear junkie/slut/whore, I own Behs MultiCom,AutoCom,Composer along with an RNC,DBX and 3630
and while my RNC provides transparent and clean signal shaping
and being my #1 processor, the Composer's shelving capabilities'
especially when I'm playing the percussive-slap technique on bass
where I need FAST level-capping when I'm pluckin' the G-string, the Composer affords me the control I seek!

The S-Com Comps are below average comps with even slower release times than the 3630. Gates Thresh levels must be boosted at a higher level than your average,mid-level unit to compensate for it's slower by nearly .05 milsec release.
Street @ $149 you're better off putting up a few extra slices of cheese and get an RNC or dumb-down and get a Composer.

[MiXit-G]

Yeah i see what you mean, its just ive heard them in action and i dont like em...more just my opinion which means nothing really.

[Rossi]

Well, maybe the settings weren't appropriate. Behringer gear has wide parameter ranges, so you have to be careful. They're definitely not in the category of producs that will always sound good somehow, even at extreme settings. But if you read the manual and know what you're doing, they produce very decent sounds at low cost.