Good, fairly priced compression ideas?

[dbmfox]

I'm using a TASCAM US-2000 with Acid Pro 7. There are ways to "compress" or limit tracks through Acid Pro. My question, for recording drums, is it best to use an external compressor or just use the digital "compression"? Really I think it's just a noise gate and not true compression. I'm not very knowledgable on this stuff though.

I was looking at a Behringer MDX4600 for $125. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on good, cheap compression?

Thanks!

 

[Capt Hair]

continue to use the digital plug ins for now. There is little reason starting out to need an outboard compressor, the lack of experience and cheap quality definitely don't mix will lol. With the lack of experience comes the part where you mess up tracks over and over again, you over compress, scrap it and try again, you get the idea you can't just delete the plugin and have your original track back. Which is why it's most of the time a better idea to use compression after tracking so you at least have the original track to work with.

Check out some different plug-ins for download and plug-in packs you can buy.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

continue to use the digital plug ins for now. There is little reason starting out to need an outboard compressor, the lack of experience and cheap quality definitely don't mix will lol. With the lack of experience comes the part where you mess up tracks over and over again, you over compress, scrap it and try again, you get the idea you can't just delete the plugin and have your original track back. Which is why it's most of the time a better idea to use compression after tracking so you at least have the original track to work with.

Check out some different plug-ins for download and plug-in packs you can buy.

^^^What he said^^^

Cheap compressors can still sound fairly good. But only if you know what your doing.

Plug-ins are really good! I don't know where some people get the idea that they are not. Plus you can get the sound of your favorite compression (not 100% accurate of course) for MUCH less than the hardware because it's cheaper to emulate it through digital.

 

[klocuch]

I agree. Today's software compressor may be superior!