Any compressor suggestions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter elenore19
  • Start date Start date
elenore19

elenore19

Slowing becoming un-noob.
So I've just been using compressors via VST plug-ins. I use compression on almost every track. The more plug-ins I use the more it lags so I figure I can cut down on the lag by putting in compression in the recording stage.

Anyone have any suggestions for a compressor? The more channels the merrier, but I'd rather have quality over quantity. (under $200/channel would be sweet.)

Thanks for the help guys.

-Elliot

I'm looking at this one...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/dbx-166XL-Dual-Compressor-Limiter?sku=183548


EDIT: Alright, so I don't use compression on "Every channel."

I use it on vocals, bass, and some drums. Which happen to be the majority of the tracks. So there you have it.
I'm looking at the RNC. Looks nice, and I've heard great things about the RNP, so we'll see what happens there.
 
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far better bang per buck/per track would be buying a computer that could keep up. Any compressor worth putting on the recording stage will buy you two
 
pipelineaudio said:
far better bang per buck/per track would be buying a computer that could keep up. Any compressor worth putting on the recording stage will buy you two
Click to expand...

It's not my computer, it's the program. I'm using Cubase SE. If I had cubase 4 it wouldn't matter because they have an update out fixing the lagging with more plugins problem.
It's the sequencer, not my computer. I have a pretty good computer.
2.4 dual core
4gb ram
256mb nvidia graphics
160gb 7200rpm hard drive


Or is that not good enough? Either way I don't have the funds to buy a new computer.
 
A) I'm most definitely NOT a fan of compressing the input stage.

B) If you need a compressor on every track, you're doing something terribly wrong, in my estimation. You compress things that have a dynamic range that's too wide to fit the context of the mix. If you throw a compressor on almost everything, you have no basis to figure that out.

C) Totally agreed - Just about any compressor "worthy" of tracking through is going to cost considerably more than simply upgrading your program *and* your computer (although I'd imagine your computer has plenty of horsepower) to handle more plugs. I'm a fan of hardware (if that wasn't obvious), but I'd rather use "decent" plugs during the mix than "crappy" hardware during tracking.
 
It's better to use compression in the recording stage regardless of your lag problems - at least for bass and vocals. I've never used an external compressor for mixing, but that's only because I only got it after I lost a laptop with cubase.

I use Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 , http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/2201 , and it works splendidly . I use it as a first link in my guitar bus and it does magic when I press/bypass distortion pedal (keeps clean/distorted sound on the same volume). You can get Multicom Pro-XL for almost the same price, so it's gonna be your $50 per channel (although on Multicom you wouldn't have manual Attack/Releave control).
 
And as another option...the ART Pro VLA. I swapped the tubes to the 12AT7's. They've got the VLA II out now as well. Haven't tried it.

Worth a gander anyway. And it looks cool in the rack. :D
 
bump for the massive. sumpin wrong if yo got to compress everything up front or after. have a vla ( lost in attic, yet to be recovered) not bad but the rnc is pretty cooler. he he.
 
Get a mackie UAD 1. Problem solved - comes with the la2a and 1176 plugs.
 
NL5 said:
Get a mackie UAD 1
Click to expand...

I second that! Especially with the good deals on them right now. I want one soooooooooo bad, but I use a laptop and their express card solution is too rich for my blood right now. But if I had a desktop, that would be #1 on my list of purchases.
 
Another UAD fan here,of course you'll only be able to buy the Mackie version used.

UAD probably has the best compressor plugs out,plus great EQs too.
 
Alright I don't use compression on every track. I just use it on drums/vocals/ and bass. Which are the majority of the tracks. So yeah.
 
elenore19 said:
Alright I don't use compression on every track. I just use it on drums/vocals/ and bass. Which are the majority of the tracks. So yeah.
Click to expand...

if your daw can't do 24 tracks of compression without a hitch, spend the compressor money on an upgrade
 
elenore19 said:
It's not my computer, it's the program. I'm using Cubase SE. If I had cubase 4 it wouldn't matter because they have an update out fixing the lagging with more plugins problem.
It's the sequencer, not my computer. I have a pretty good computer.
2.4 dual core
4gb ram
256mb nvidia graphics
160gb 7200rpm hard drive


Or is that not good enough? Either way I don't have the funds to buy a new computer.
Click to expand...

You could always just get something like Reaper. I've owned and used Cubase in the past and I'm not a fan-- at least of the LE/SE and other stripped down versions. I'm a fan of Reaper on PC and other than that I've far preferred the cheaper versions of Sonar/Cakewalk to Cubase.

The UAD idea is a certainly a popular one. Native, I'm really digging URS Classic Console Strip Pro. I can get most of what I need for eq and compression to mix with that and a few other plugins in Logic. It comes with the Classic Console Strip (not pro) plug too, which is much more processor friendly.

Otherwise, RNC, RNLA, or DBX 160x/xt/a and the other usual suspects would be good choices.
 
I am using a Focusrite Twintrack outboard for those tracks that need compression before recording (problematically dynamic vocals, etc..) and a TC Electronics on the kick drums (using parallel compression) and all the rest is in the box. You may want to try DSP based solutions like the UAD or even Powercore (TC Electronics) or LiquidMix (Focusrite) and see what works best for you. I would strive for clean recordings (so minimal outboard/pre-recording gear) and then see what you need in the mix... again, less is more.
 
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