General use compressor under £300?

[hemmick reef]

I would like to add my first hardware compressor to my home studio. I am looking at the less than £300 preferably around £200 mark if possible? Can't go any more expensive yet and it may not be worth it for what I need and have?

I would like something to colour and thicken sounds (rather than transparent)
Stereo compression
Possible two mono channels (to link for stereo mix compression - optional)
A compressor that I will not regret buying in two months!

Thanks

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

I think you'll struggle to get anything with a really nice colour for that sort of money.

I haven't used one but the ART MPA is the only thing I can think of which may fit the bill within your budget.

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=80&cat=2&id=8

Might be worth some research.

 

[hemmick reef]

I think you'll struggle to get anything with a really nice colour for that sort of money.

I haven't used one but the ART MPA is the only thing I can think of which may fit the bill within your budget.

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=80&cat=2&id=8

Might be worth some research.

Do you mean this one - PRO VLA (Vactrol® based Leveling Amplifier)

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

That's the one.

 

[antichef]

If you don't have an immediate time constraint, you might want to spook around this board like I do and wait for the next group buy -- there is some speculation that a compressor will be on block for us.

 

[shedshrine]

+1 on the ART ProVLA. Makes tracks play nice together, sound thicker+darker for not much dough.

 

[pohaku]

In your price range, the ART unit is about the only one that comes to mind that isn't transparent.