I need a compressor/s for vocals and drums (calling Joel Hamilton!)

[thehymns]

I recently purchased a Symetrix 501 (toggle switch!), which I've read is great for bass guitar. I need something for the bass drum and snare as well as something for vocals. Here are something things I've read good things about, but I get jumbled trying to remember what they are best for. I like to stay under the $200 range.

JoeMeek VC3
Symetrix 528
FMR RNC
Aphex 106 (I can't find anything about this)
Aphex Expressor

There are so many dbx units that I don't know which ones are junk or treasure. What can you tell me about those units and what else would you recommend?

 

[michaelst]

You can pick up a used dbx 166xl for about $175. Excellent comp/gate - 2 channels.

 

[Joel Hamilton]

I recently purchased a Symetrix 501 (toggle switch!), which I've read is great for bass guitar. I need something for the bass drum and snare as well as something for vocals. Here are something things I've read good things about, but I get jumbled trying to remember what they are best for. I like to stay under the $200 range.

JoeMeek VC3
Symetrix 528
FMR RNC
Aphex 106 (I can't find anything about this)
Aphex Expressor

There are so many dbx units that I don't know which ones are junk or treasure. What can you tell me about those units and what else would you recommend?

The 501 is great for drums. The limiter section will do a good "poor mans distressor" trick if you hit the output hard enough...

I use a Dbx 160 X for bass all the time. They are amazing for that actually. Even with a bunch of "sexier" compressors to choose from I really wind up going to the 160 X all the time. Great combination of tone shaping and control in a dense mix for that instrument. Same with Kick. There are times where I just need the beater to "hold still" enough to hang it right where I want it without sounding too squeezed, and the 160X does it. They are great boxes for sure. there is a reason that you see at least a pair in every single studio woth a damn on EARTH!

If you had two 501's and two 160 X's you would be covered for a long time. Dont let the lack of knobs on the 160x fool you into thinking they are limited in application. They will work on just about anything, from vocals to cello, to acoustic bass to heavy rock kick drum.

The great thing is that they will always, always, always be a valid piece of gear in your rack, no matter how your collection grows.

I dont feel that way about any of the other thingies you mentioned above. Eventually, you would want to use the patch points for something better if there was a symetrix 528....

Hope that helps you in some way!

Sincerely,
-Joel