What's a super-strong compressor?

ScienceOne · #1 08-10-2003

I've got my RNP. It's a great compressor but a tad light-handed. Whats a really strong, squash-the-crap out of drums or rap vocals kind of comp. Anyone?

mwarkentin · #2 08-10-2003

I think you meant RNC?

ScienceOne · #3 08-10-2003

Damn, I most definetly did. You may commence vituperative belly-aching.

Teacher · #4 08-11-2003

DBX160XL or if u got more money a Distressor

ScienceOne · #5 08-11-2003

Ah, a Distressor, my dream. Those big creamy knobs........ although I know I'd be one of the guys to nuke everything.

Fletcher · #6 08-11-2003

Rob two liquor stores and/or hope your number comes in... there are very few things better in this application than an Alan Smart C-2 in "crush" mode or an API 2520 in "new" mode... 'hard' knee, 'loud' thrust... simply remarkable when used in parallel compression applications... simply remarkable.

ScienceOne · #7 08-11-2003

Hahaha, i love how you said TWO liquor stores.

std1 · #8 08-12-2003

dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay

Teacher · #9 08-13-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by std1
dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay

huh??

SonicAlbert · #10 08-13-2003

I'm not sure about that DBX 160X/XT suggestion. I have a couple 160X's and a couple Distressors, and the DBX stuff doesn't come close to the amazing crunch of the Distressors. I love my 160X's for some things, but they may still seem a bit light-handed for what you want. However, I personally think they would be better for some dirty-ish crunch than the RNC.

Mustafa Salaam · #11 08-13-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by std1
dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay

I'm not feelin' you on this one!!
Lacks the transparency and clarity of the RNC nor the punch of the Distressor!

ScienceOne · #12 08-13-2003

Hmm, ill just save for a distressor then, i've heard no complaints about it (except for everyone getting annoyed with the over-compressing novices, like me).

Teacher · #13 08-13-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by ScienceOne
Hmm, ill just save for a distressor then, i've heard no complaints about it (except for everyone getting annoyed with the over-compressing novices, like me).

that is definitly the best choice... only 1250 for a single channel not too bad considering it will last forever...

chessrock · #14 08-13-2003

There really isn't a substitute for the distressor.

But there is still some cheap stuff that can at least be mildly amuzing to kind of cool as an effect.

Ashly used to make some pretty nifty comps that can be had very cheaply on ebay. The affore-mentioned 160x can be useful. Also, don't underestimate the old MXR Limiters. Those can make for some really funky squashed vocal / drum / guitar effects.

acorec · #15 08-13-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by chessrock
There really isn't a substitute for the distressor.

But there is still some cheap stuff that can at least be mildly amuzing to kind of cool as an effect.

Ashly used to make some pretty nifty comps that can be had very cheaply on ebay. The affore-mentioned 160x can be useful. Also, don't underestimate the old MXR Limiters. Those can make for some really funky squashed vocal / drum / guitar effects.

I have Ashly SC50s and these things can squash like no tomorrow on bass, guitars and drums.

std1 · #16 08-13-2003

this might be usefull

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...highlight=160x

Chris Fallen · #17 08-13-2003

Can someone fill me in on what the hell a distressor is?

chessrock · #18 08-13-2003

It's a compressor. And it's quite the audio marvel. I would say it's done an awful lot to define the sound of modern rock and pop/rock in this day and age . . . or at least more than you'd think.

Rev E · #19 08-14-2003

I'm sure there are a lot of compressors that could work for you. But, I've found the RNC useable for rap vocals. It's not the best, but it can get the job done. Super-nice mode is not good for rap. Supernice is much better for singing that spoken words. Put the RNC in normal mode (i.e. turn the super nice off). Play with the attack and release times. These will vary somewhat with the song and the rapper. I usually have an attack of 30-40 ms or longer. You don't want the compressor clamping down on the attack of the lyrics. I also use a fairly short release time for faster vocals (~100 ms to start with). I'm actually quite suprised at your assessment of the RNC as "light." I usually compress rap vocals at a ratio of about 2:1... sometimes less and this gets most of the job done all by itself. So I can't imagine that the RNC couldn't do the trick for you.

Like I said, you can find a bunch of stuff to be useful. But, I would advise you to work with the RNC first and really figure it out before you run to spend money only to find that the problem was not in the compressor. The next step up from the RNC is going to be multiple times what the RNC cost you. I don't know you or your skills, so pardon me if I sound condescending. Since, I don't know what level you are at in the recording game, I tried to be basic... but with no intent to embarass.

Es.

Teacher · #20 08-14-2003

i primarily do rap as well and i use super nice mode...i always felt/heard super nice mode off would add to much compression artifacts for my taste....but with supernice mode on i'll have the threshold inbetween -10 to -20 (depending how loud the rapper is) db ratio between 4:1 and 6:1...attack at like 2 ms or less to catch the 'plosives' and sssss's and a release of .5

Quote:

Originally posted by Rev E
I'm sure there are a lot of compressors that could work for you. But, I've found the RNC useable for rap vocals. It's not the best, but it can get the job done. Super-nice mode is not good for rap. Supernice is much better for singing that spoken words. Put the RNC in normal mode (i.e. turn the super nice off). Play with the attack and release times. These will vary somewhat with the song and the rapper. I usually have an attack of 30-40 ms or longer. You don't want the compressor clamping down on the attack of the lyrics. I also use a fairly short release time for faster vocals (~100 ms to start with). I'm actually quite suprised at your assessment of the RNC as "light." I usually compress rap vocals at a ratio of about 2:1... sometimes less and this gets most of the job done all by itself. So I can't imagine that the RNC couldn't do the trick for you.

Like I said, you can find a bunch of stuff to be useful. But, I would advise you to work with the RNC first and really figure it out before you run to spend money only to find that the problem was not in the compressor. The next step up from the RNC is going to be multiple times what the RNC cost you. I don't know you or your skills, so pardon me if I sound condescending. Since, I don't know what level you are at in the recording game, I tried to be basic... but with no intent to embarass.

Es.

Rev E · #21 08-14-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Teacher
i primarily do rap as well and i use super nice mode...i always felt/heard super nice mode off would add to much compression artifacts for my taste....but with supernice mode on i'll have the threshold inbetween -10 to -20 (depending how loud the rapper is) db ratio between 4:1 and 6:1...attack at like 2 ms or less 'to catch the 'plosives' and sssss's and a release of .5

Differences of approach I guess. My aim is not so much to hear the compression but to have the compressor make the track punchy and smooth out variation in volume. So I use longer attack times, permitting the first accents of words get through without the compressor jumping in. Teach, you seem to use the compressor in this case as an effect and "want" the sound of the compressor to be heard.... It's all good. Different strokes for different folks.

Teacher · #22 08-14-2003

nah i don't want the compressor to be heard thats y i use super nice...I thought reg mode you heard to much of the compressor it would cut off to much of the high frequencies for my taste/mic...the fast attack helps get rid of the 'plosives' (Bees and pees) as well as the shhhhhhh s's...I 'd rather have those things not get on tape instead of having to remove them from tape... it prolly has something to do with the type of mics being used as well i guess...

Quote:

Originally posted by Rev E
Teach, you seem to use the compressor in this case as an effect and "want" the sound of the compressor to be heard.... It's all good. Different strokes for different folks.

Rev E · #23 08-14-2003

In my experience, plosives have more to do with the performer than anything. The main rapper that I work with has brilliant mic technique. I've never heard a plosive with him. Pop filter... good technique... a little compression... done.

Teacher · #24 08-15-2003

you are absolutely correct...but if the said artist has a plosive or ssss problem a faster attack helps...on super nice mode i'm hard press to hear it working at like 8 db gain reduction...that when you start really hearing the high being cut off...

i'ma try compressing wit just the regular mode....it was fun chatting about different compression techniques...

Quote:

Originally posted by Rev E
In my experience, plosives have more to do with the performer than anything. The main rapper that I work with has brilliant mic technique. I've never heard a plosive with him. Pop filter... good technique... a little compression... done.

hrn · #25 08-15-2003

Why not get some of the originals instead of saving to (one?) Distressor. I think it's better to have different flavours available.

You can still find great units for sale everywhere. Think you can get ....hmmm...at least three nice pieces for the price of two channels of Distressor.

Maybe I'm conservative...but it's like art to me. It's like with my basses. I know Ibanez and Yamaha and others make fantastic instruments, copies more or less and some times "better".

But I don't touch anything else than the originals. In my case it's Fender and Rickenbacker.

I just prefer the "love" I get back from the originals.

...Hmmm...kind of deep wasn't it

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

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