compressors (ebay options)

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creatureofhabit

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Hello folks. I've been wanting to add some decent comps to my rack as i've had the RNC for a couple of years now and i think it's time to move on (franly tired of the unbalanced connections amongst other things). I like its transparency, but i frankly think i can do a lot better than this. I'm searching ebay (rarely do i ever buy anything new these days), and the DBXs come up often. I never used one so i have no idea of wich to go for, if any. There's a lot of talking around the DBX160, but so many versions, again, wich one to get? There's also some more obscure brands like LA audio and stuff like that. I could use some help here for i have no means to try the comps before i get them and I really need to know what i'm going to get myself into. I searched the website and see that there are quite a few folks in here that know their comps and stand by them. Pleast take in consideration that anything that's a step down from a RNC is not worth it for me, really. I want something that will colour the sound in a pleasant way (think something in light of the old UA boxes if possible), but not saw it off the old "behringer way". The main uses are vocals (most of the time), electric guitars (sometimes), acoustic guitars (sometimes) and bass (everytime). Here's what i've been looking at:

- LA audio GXC2 - these are going for cheap these days, and i'm always wondering if they're worth it. It's a more or less respected brand i guess right?

- Presonus ACP22 - again, have no idea of what to expect

- DBX 166/0/266, XL X plain etc - no idea of wich one to get

- ART PRO VLA - i know lots of folks like this one, and i guess i would too if i could find one used, very rare these days. Wondering if it's worth over the other ones listed

- joe meek sc2 or mc2 - i wonder if these are good possibilities. I know that there's the colour issue that i might not like in the end.

- spl charisma - this is the only unit i would get new, as it is affordable and spl is a good brand, but any opinions out there?

- insert whatever alternate suggestion you may have within the price range...

I apreciate any help. Thank you.
 
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JBL/UREI 7110
dbx 117-119
Symetrix 501
Valley People Dynamite
Ashly
 
I have a PRO VLA and I think it is worth having. Don't spend more than $199 for a used one, but they don't go for much less than that either. These are actually not rare, as they are still being manufactured. You can get a new one for under $300.

Another one I like and own is the Meek SC2.2. Yes, it has a color of its own, but that's what's nice about it. It would be pretty boring if all you have is "uncolored" compressors, wouldn't it?

As far as DBX compressors, you might take a look at a pair of DBX 160X or XT's. I own a DBX 162 (made in 1978) and I really like it. Actually, I really like a lot of the older DBX compressors. I just bought a 166 (from the 70's again I think), but it hasn't arrived yet. The newer budget DBX line is not as good as the older stuff, I personally would avoid it. However, they still make some top of the line type compressors that are supposed to be pretty good, and pretty expensive.

A transparent compressor you can get that is not too much used is the Aphex Expressor. Good stuff, and under rated in my opinion.

For thrashing pumping type sounds an old MXR 136 comp/limiter is pretty good.
 
Fellas, much apreciated. Thank you for the quick replies.

Big Kenny - the 160a, i had looked into it actually, but sadly it's going for a lot. Slightly cheaper in the US i know, but I'm in England and would very much prefer european ebay.

Chessrock - curious you mentioned the dbx 117, i had just found one here and was wondering if it was worth it or not. Its prime use was to control tv volume so it seems, quite funny actually. Either way, thank you for the sugestion, i see that you read the "old" remark. This kind of device/looks/feel is exactly what i'm looking for. Since getting my Allen&Heath 1221, i've been hooked on nice wood side panels i'm afraid. But could please elaborate a bit more on what can i expect from this? Is 100 bucks too much for it (asking because i can get one on a buy it now for 100 dollars, but i can also wait around for this other one that will be along those lines as well i'm afraid - 3 days to go and it's already at 40 dollars)? I'm pretty set really, but want to know more. Thank you.

SonicAlbert - the Pro VLA, it's fairly expensive new here in Europe you know. It actually goes for 600 bucks, and i'm not kidding. I sincerely don't understand why it's so different price wise, but it's something that has kept me away i'm afraid. It doesn't pop up on european ebay that often either. I'm glad you folks are getting a kick out of yours though, and that it's widely avaliabe there, as this looks like something i would've enjoyed. The little meek box, i haven't grabed one yet for they are coming out with an updated version. Do you still think it's worth it in light of the new box hitting the market soon? In my view, i don't know but, the meek box would be something worthile if there was also another option wouldn't you agree? I thank you for the rest of the sugestions, but most of them are out of me price range at the moment. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the aphex one though. I'm thinking i'll need a fairly transparent one to match the DBX 117 i'm probably getting, surelly looks like a unit that will have a sound of its own altogether.
 
SonicAlbert said:
A transparent compressor you can get that is not too much used is the Aphex Expressor. Good stuff, and under rated in my opinion.
.
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I really like the 651 Expressor, without the toobassence, they are regularly under $200. The 661 Tubessence is a great piece, but more money and I don't use the tubessence thingie really.

Better Aphex stuff like Expressors, Dominators, and 320 Compellors seem to be going for really cheap right now, people seem to be looking for some color as opposed to Aphex tranparency. Fine for me :D .
 
Right, the 651 Expressor, the older model. That's the one I have (actually four 9651 modules). I also own two channels of the Dominator 9721 modules, and a Compellor 320A. All good, although I like the Dominator the least of the bunch.

I believe the tube thing of the 661 Expressor can be bypassed by a simple switch or jumper internally. So if you have the option to get a 661 but don't want the tubessense, you can defeat it.

I'm surprised to hear the PRO VLA is so high over there, maybe import tariffs, taxes, etc. drive the price up. I wouldn't buy it at $600 either, frankly.

You also might look at the TL Audio Ivory series 1 or 2 compressor. That's a British company so you might have better luck over there.
 
Yeah, the Dominator wouldn't be my first choice as a studio limiter, but for live work it's a brick wall no DJ or screaming vocalist can punch a hole in :). And I dig the Compellor as a main mix comp. My FOH rig has a Driverack followed by a Compellor and Dominator that I got very cheap.

Anyway, ebay is a good place to find deals on stuff no matter what level you are shooting for. With ebay the danger is impulse buying, cause you think another won't come up. They always do, do your research and make your choices, then go shopping. Don't make a choice based on the current listings.

I can't believe that Pro VLA price either. :eek:
 
Folks, i apreciate the constant help. Nice to see so many people trying to help out an old fart like me, eh! Very rare these days i must admit.

easychair - i'll really look for those aphexs, right now nothing's around, but i will keep my eyes peeled. I have some stuff i want to get first, but a nice/cheap compressor at this point is fairly imperative i'm afraid. The VLA, tell me about it. I even looked at the Pro Channel as an alternative hoping that the comp would be more or less the same with no obvious downgrade for strip purposes whatsoever, but the Pro Channel goes for 700 bucks. Here in the UK it's even worse, believe it or not.

Albert - i'm familiar with TL audio, people used a bunch of that in studios around here, but frankly i was always the musician type i'm afraid, never really into rack stuff until now. I know my way around preamps and mics, but the rest is pretty much a mistery to me in terms of quality. TL Audio is out of buget at this point though. Even used i'm afraid (around 500/600 dollars).

You folks have any opinion on the LA Audio GXC2? These go for dirt cheap, and i'm always left wondering...

I would also love some DBX 3BX views if anyone used one of those.
 
The one thing about the Expressor, it's mono, if that makes a difference. And very transparent, something you already have in the RNC. If you want an inexpensive compressor, consider whether a stereo/dual mono box of something you could get for the same price might serve you better.

As usual, chessrock has listed a bunch of sweeties that likely would be ignored by the young or inexperienced due to people not being familiar.

I agree with Albert, if you look at lower end dbx stuff stick to the older versions, the newer stuff ain't the same. I just got my second 166 (no A, or X, or XL, or whatever) black face with multicolored knobs. Very usable at low gain reduction, starts to snarl a bit when driven hard. :) Never used a Pro VLA.

ps-I don't care for the word cheap most times, it besmirches the quality of many units that aren't expensive anymore, but still sound good or great. Except of course when someone says "You can have it dirt-cheap".
 
The Expressor 651 is mono, so you need two of them. Worth it though in my opinion.

I'm not sure if an RNC is basically the same quality as the new RNLA, but I bought an RNLA and then sold it immediately. Just didn't care for it. I much prefer pretty much anything else I have over it. So I think having some other options is a great idea.

Also, compressors are very individual. Not only as far as which ones you might like, but also in their own sound and how they affect the signal passing through them. No two compressors are quite alike. So for that reason I think it's a good idea to have a variety of them available.

I don't know about the LA Audio GXC2, but if it is dirt cheap why don't you just buy one and try it out? I do that all the time I'm afraid. Then if I don't care for it I'll sell it. If you get it for a low price you will probably not lose money if you sell it. Sometimes trying the gear out in your own studio is the only way to really know.

easychair, after reading your comments on the DBX 166 I'm especially eager to try it out now. I got mine as part of a package deal--wasn't looking for one at all. I used to have a 166A but didn't like it, and I've always heard the older 166 is a lot better.

Big Kenny, better be careful when you give out that Gearslutz gear advertising link, that board has been the cause of me spending a lot of money lately! I literally have told myself recently that I simply *can't* view those ads. Too much tempting stuff comes up all the time and I just have no resistance to that kind of thing.
 
Don't expect to be blown away by the 166, but it can be fun, for sure.
 
Folks, i passed on the DBX 117 for 100 bucks cause it seemed a tad too much to pay for it, although it was indeed very clean and the manual was included. I have one more coming up in two days on ebay, we shall see how that goes.

Easychair - mono wouldn't make a difference to me i guess. Unless i want to hook it up to the inserts (right?) for "i don't know what". Sincerely i have no idea of how to use the comp without it taking the line out of the soundcard, into the line in of the mixer i'm afraid. That's one thing i wanted to ask you folks as well, how do we go about interfacing the comp with our mixer? I know there's a lot more ways to it than just what i was doing with the RNC.

Sonicalbert - I hear you on the RNLA, i mean there's a lot of talk on it being a tad more colorful than the RNC, but regarding what you've posted so far about your own rack comps, i doubt you would find any use for it i'm afraid - that is if it's anything like the RNC with some extra colour. In my experience, the problem with the RNC is that you can hear it working. If i'm going to have a compressor to hear it work, i also want it to impart a good sound i guess, that's why it has fell out of favour with me. I let the LA Audio one swing by as well i'm afraid. I want to try to get the DBX 117 and focus on that. Or else spend a little more on that Summit Audio TL50 unit, or the SPL Charisma 2, i've owned a pre by SPL and it wasn't bad at all.

Any views on these last few units at all folks?
 
Those old dbx's used to go for around 30 bucks until some yahoos got on the message boards and started tipping everyone off on them and ruined it. :D Apparently, they've very similar to the original dbx 160s. And we're talking the original ones with the big 'ol vu meters that go for like a thousand bucks on ebay.

I've learned a valuable lesson about some of these old compressors the hard way. Once people start talking about the old gems on the message boards, try and kill the thread quickly, because once word gets out, the ebay price starts goin' up and up.
 
chessrock said:
Those old dbx's used to go for around 30 bucks until some yahoos got on the message boards and started tipping everyone off on them and ruined it. :D
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I know, isn't that hateful? They were $30-40 and then all of a sudden they were going for $100 or more. Sometimes I think people start those message board gear hyping threads when they have something to sell, and then the "info" just takes on a life of its own.
 
Ya know, Sonic, we could just go start a bunch of "dbx 118 sucks!" threads and post them all over the place.

It might take a few months, but I'll bet that with proper diligence, we could get that price back down the the $50 range.

If that works, we can then move on to "Peavey vmp-2 sucks, too" threads. Come on, guys, it's still a Peavey! How good can it be?!
 
chessrock said:
If that works, we can then move on to "Peavey vmp-2 sucks, too" threads. Come on, guys, it's still a Peavey! How good can it be?!
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That one should be easy - - - - everyone knows Peavey sucks!!! :D
 
My vote is for the dbx 118. It's essentially an unbalanced 162 w/o VU meters. You can pick them up all day long for ~$60. That leaves you plenty of cash to get some xformers to wire up your own balanced/unbalanced converter box. This is a great tool to have, extremely simple to build and may even make you fall in love again with your RNCs.

Jay
 
I've got a DBX 162 and I think it sounds great. The 162 has other features missing on the 118, like an output volume control and bypass for example. But if the 118 sounds similar to the 162 then it is a great deal for under $100.

I like the sound of the vintage DBX units, they complement the modern DAW digital sound well, in my opinion.
 
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