A couple of compressor questions

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Danelectron

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I'm not quite a Newbie, but am still experimenting so here I am.
I'm using a Delta 44 sound card and have mic preamps on all 4 channels. I am trying to record drums and believe I need compression.
My first question is... Do all compressors provide preamp power? I have seen that some do.
What is a descent, resonably priced unit? I would like to use XLR ins/outs. I probably only need two channels for now, but will one day be moving up to more channels.


Thanks for any responses.
 
a compressor is not a preamp. there are some units that have BOTH a preamp and compressor (for example, the JoeMeek VQ3), but this does not mean that the compressor itself is providing any "preamp power," as you put it. you can very well get a compressor and put it after your preamp and before your recorder.
 
Do all compressors provide preamp power? I have seen that some do.
Click to expand...


I do understand that a compressor is not a preamp. I did see a Joe Meeks that had Both. Since I have all the preamps I need for now I guess I am asking more specifically...
What is a descent compressor that doesn't provide preamp power?
I am hoping to save a little by getting a compressor only. If it happens that the better compressors also provide preamp power, I would gladly get said unit and offer my preamp units up for adoption.

Thank you for your response.
 
The FMR RNC is a pretty safe bet for a stereo comp for around $175. It is true stereo and not dual mono so you can only use it as a stereo unit on overheads or stereo pairs since each channel will share the same control settings.
 
Thanks Tex.
I'll look into this. I may end up with something like this on the overheads and get another two channel that I can run each channel mono for the snare/ high hat and the kick.

I appreciate the response.
 
Last edited:
Problem solved. I bought two FMR RNCs. These units have great reviews. I'm curious how I'll balance the stereo in the mix (pan the kick to center I guess). It shouldn't be to difficult. Thanks again TexRoadkill.
 
I hope you know what I meant by 'true stereo'. It's going to be tough to use one RNC for kick and snare because they both work off the same settings and one can trigger the compressor to effect the other channel. What you might want to do is just compress the OH or snare and kick on seperate RNC's using one channel each. Then you can use the RNC's again during mixdown on whatever is left. You can also just run some tracks through them and record that onto a new track to use during mixdown.

The RNC would be used either

1 LR- OH's
2 L- Kick OR snare (but not both)

1 L- snare
2 L- kick
OH's compressed at mixdown
 
I hadn't thought about that.

they both work off the same settings and one can trigger the compressor to effect the other channel
Click to expand...

This means a kick may compress the snare signal at the same instant?
I've considered micing the top and bottom of the snare, reversing the phase of the bottom mic. One RNC should work for this. I'ld use the other on the kick.
I'll try using the RNCs by both of your suggested methods.

Question...
I'm using Sonar 2.0. How would I route a recorded track through the Rnc to a new track?

Yikes, I may have to read the book! :) I'll try to save further questions until I get my hands on the units.

Thanks much for your help.
 
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