I need a compresser!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Farno
  • Start date Start date
Maybe you can wait for the new Gap comp-54.
All is said in the movie introduction... they will be shipped in October.
I have to be honest i do'nt know what it will be, but it could be worth waiting for.
We will see what it is. .
They say it will ad some flavour, but you have to hear it first to be sure.

But iff i had to choose between the two you are doubting about, i go for the DBX. A working horse with good quality. Don't expect a spicy flavour or nice uplifting sound. it does what it have to do, compressing...
I don't know the alesis, but the thing i know from alesis, i am not impressed about.

The movie is on my site. http://www.pro-life.be
 
Farno said:
Hey guys.

I've been using a free vst plugin compressor and want something that actually helps with sound quality. Don't need anything special, 2 channels is enough. Was looking at this:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Alesis-...essor-Limiter-with-Gate-100059904-i1125236.gc

Then I saw this:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/266XL

Not really sure... maybe you guys know of something better. It's for bass and guitar.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


The Alesis unit is a piece of crap. Don't know about the dbx.
 
Farno said:
Hmmm ok. Any idea on price of one of those comp-54's?
Click to expand...

Have considered anything from FMR Audio. The RNC when you don't want color, the RNLA when you do. Both are stereo units. Full disclosure: I am an authorized FMR Audio dealer.
 
Well since I have no idea which to choose I'll have to take someone's word for it. I don't know which direction to go in! Maybe someone else can throw in there 2 cents.
 
Farno said:
Well since I have no idea which to choose I'll have to take someone's word for it. I don't know which direction to go in! Maybe someone else can throw in there 2 cents.
Click to expand...

You mentioned "something that improves the sound." 1st off, a compressor will make it different but not necessarily better. What's wrong with the sound you are getting now?
 
I'm recording direct with the Presonus Firebox. I'm using a plugin called blockfish as a limiter and there is not many controls and I can't dial it in very well. I know a limiter doesn't change the actual tone but I can't get my recordings loud enough without it clipping on the firebox and when I raise the volume in cubase it isn't as clear.
 
Farno said:
I'm recording direct with the Presonus Firebox. I'm using a plugin called blockfish as a limiter and there is not many controls and I can't dial it in very well. I know a limiter doesn't change the actual tone but I can't get my recordings loud enough without it clipping on the firebox and when I raise the volume in cubase it isn't as clear.
Click to expand...

Define "not loud enough." What is your metering telling you?
 
You're worrying about volume at the absolute worst time to be worrying about volume. You should be FAR more concerned about having plenty of HEADROOM.

A compressor on the way in certainly isn't going to help your sound quality... And a "cheap-'n-cheesy" compressor will generally leave you in the negative.
 
Massive Master said:
You're worrying about volume at the absolute worst time to be worrying about volume. You should be FAR more concerned about having plenty of HEADROOM.

A compressor on the way in certainly isn't going to help your sound quality... And a "cheap-'n-cheesy" compressor will generally leave you in the negative.
Click to expand...

Exactly massive!!!!
What are you recording the bass with? A microphone on the amp or a Di?
 
Nobody asked about the bass! Whatcha got there?
If it's a Squier or some other asian knock off then no wonder. Even my buddy's Epi sounds like crud recorded. They use cheap electronics and you cannot easily fix a bad input signal.

There are a few exceptions,though. I have a TRABEN bass that sounds killer.

http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/YRCXIJYUGOTG-pushin-the-junk

OK we'll assume you have a good bass. I would just try and get the cleanest signal recorded you can and compress & EQ later.
PS Everybody says the Alesis is a crap box, but man that thing can give you a killer live punch. Blew away the DBX in a shootout with my set up. Ampeg amp & Mesa RR cab.
 
Ok I guess I'm not going for the limiter! I haven't taken the bass seriously in my recordings since I didn't know how to play it. Currently I have been going direct into the firebox but that is the cheap way around. I have been recommended countless times into this:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Tech-21-SansAmp-Bass-Driver-DI-100458615-i1145273.gc

This would be probably be more useful than a limiter based on what you guys think of a limeter. Oh and the bass guitar... not sure what people think of it. It's a schecter stiletto extreme 4.

The music I am making is rock/metal or even nice gentle clean guitars. My sound just isn't "full". Here is a little thing I made just to show you guys what I mean:

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/321134

Don't mind the crappy and off timing playing. But the tone is just boring or maybe it's the playing. What do you guys think?
 
I can't listen right now since I'm at work; but . . .

just from reading it sounds like you're looking for hardware to fix your source. Not a good way to go. Tweak your sound at source and then use hardware to make small adjustments to your sound while mixing. If your tone is boring, change your tone. Adjust your volume and tone knobs, MAYBE get a DI box, try your bass through an amp, do whatever it takes to get the sound right at the source.

As was discussed a while ago in another thread; recordings don't lie. They give back to you exactly what you give them. (assuming it's an unedited recording.) So instead of trying "fix it in the mix" fix it at the source. Not only will you get a better recording, you will learn more, and be better able to record other things later, but you will have a greater command over your instruments.

Just my $.02
 
What DAW are you using. The compressors that come with Cubase aren't bad at all - better than what you will get cheap in hardware.

I have 5 hardware compressors, a pair of Summits I paid $2600 for, and Alesis 3630 I paid $160 for and a pair of Boss RCL-10's that were about $150 each.

The Boss compressors look like toys and nobody took them seriously but I like them. I like the Alesis too and have never understood why many people don't, to me it's a bargain and has many good features.

I use the Summits after the mics on the way in all the time. I have never found that using my cheap compressors on the way in was a good thing.

You need a compressor on bass is my experience. I'd try the ones that come with your DAW.

If I was going to buy another it would probably be the Summit TLA-50.
 
If your computer based going the hardware route seems a little the wrong way round imho

say a $100 hardware unit is unlikely to give you the same quality and tweakability as software..

If you dont like the ones in your DAW look at used UAD-1 and/or TC powercore cards...the compressors are great, they have other "standard" plugs and dont increase your PCs CPU much with use..




just another option to throw in there
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top