Im getting the DBX 1066 - i need your opinion on something!

[Mr Music]

This is the one!

http://www.dbxpro.com/1066.htm

Ok you guys, i know youll try and push other compressors, but just keep in mind that this is the ONLY ONE i can get right now...nothing else...lets just say that! and yes I know this is all low end, but thats all i can afford FOR NOW...anyhow...

I know some of these are too broad, but just try and answer please!
My question to you is!

1. Will it go nice with a Presonus Bluetube? (which i now own)
2. Its not a tube, but does that change much when mixed with a tube pre?
3. Will it somewhat add this warm/smoothness to the vocal?
4. Will it bring any kind of fullness to the vocal?

I know theres the RNC or whatever and the ART, but like I said this is all I can get...

If you guys go crazy negative (if you guys burn it), then i just wont get anything!

PLEASE ANSWER SERIOUSLY...I seriously want to know this!

I noticed almost everyone has a DBX...

Thanks a lot guys!!!!

 

[tourettes5139]

1. Hard to say, its all subjective.
2. Do you mean does the compressor suddenly grow a tube when it is hooked up to a tube preamp?? I don't quite get what you mean here.
3. You will get more "warmth" and smoothness with different mics, placement, and the sources you are dealing with more than you will from a compressor.
4. Maybe, if you know how to use it correctly, and have a good source to start with. But again, to get "fullness", concentrate on mic choice, placement, and the source.

Ok you guys, i know youll try and push other compressors, but just keep in mind that this is the ONLY ONE i can get right now...nothing else...lets just say that! and yes I know this is all low end, but thats all i can afford FOR NOW...anyhow...

I don't get it; why, why, why, why!?!?!?!?

Why are you set on getting the DBX?? You could get 4 channels of the RNC for that much, with some left to spare. I haven't used the 1066, so I can't say for sure, but I would be willing to bet that the RNC would be a sturdy competitor.

Hey you were right, I did try to push a different compressor on you.

 

[Mr Music]

thanks for your reply


anyone else please

thanks!

 

[easychair]

You realize a 1066 is more than double the price of an RNC, right?

The 1066 is a pretty decent compressor, I'd say at least equal to an RNC. And it won't fart out when you push it hard, at least not like the RNC. It's really a bit more versatile, as it can be dual mono as well as stereo.

Who told you the 1066 was low end?

 

[FALKEN]

the 1066 does dual mono. it also as a limiter, a gate, and a sidechain. way more versatile than the RNC. but, no, I don't think it will "warm" up your tone. Actually, pretty much any comperssor is going to add some sort of negative artifacts to the tone, including the RNC.

 

[SonicAlbert]

This is the one!

http://www.dbxpro.com/1066.htm

Ok you guys, i know youll try and push other compressors, but just keep in mind that this is the ONLY ONE i can get right now...nothing else...lets just say that! and yes I know this is all low end, but thats all i can afford FOR NOW...anyhow...

If this is the only one you can buy, why are you even bothering to ask these questions? Just buy it and find out how it works with the BlueTube yourself! But the fact is, this is not the only compressor you can buy at that price, there's actually a huge selection both new and used.

I personally would go with the ART PRO VLA over this particular DBX, but that's just me I guess. I do own several vintage DBX compressors by the way, and love them. If you only need one channel for vocals, you might want to look at the 160A (or in the used market, the 160X or 160XT--I'd prefer one of these older models).

Another single channel compressor that is in your price range used is the Aphex Expressor. This is a wonderful compressor that is in a different league than the budget DBX stuff.

Another compressor/leveler that people are using on vocals these days is the FMR RNLA.

I would suggest that you don't get too fixated on any particular model until you've heard it in person on your own material. You may find that something that looks good on the page will not fit as well sound-wise in actual use. I've lost count how many times I've been surprised that way, even by very expensive gear.

Good luck!

 

[chessrock]

1. Will it go nice with a Presonus Bluetube? (which i now own)

Although I don't distinctly remember reading anything in the manual to the effect of "NOT TO BE USED WITH PRESONUS BLUE TUBE" or anything to that effect ... you're not going to break or harm anything.

And while the final result will likely sound like crap, that won't be because of the Blue Tube / DBX combo or anything. It will more than likely be because the Blue Tube just sucks, so it doesn't really much matter what compressor you use with it.

2. Its not a tube, but does that change much when mixed with a tube pre?

I think I know what you're asking, here. And yes, there has been known to be sort of a "cancelation effect" when using non-tube gear with tube gear. You see, if you feed a solid-state device audio that has been "tubified," the solid state device will, in essence, cancel-out or "de-tube" what it is being fed, and you will be left with what is essentially a solid state signal again.

I just made that up, and it's pure bullshit. But I had you going, didn't I? You deserved it, though, because that was a funny question.

3. Will it somewhat add this warm/smoothness to the vocal?

No. That's not really what a compressor is designed to do.

4. Will it bring any kind of fullness to the vocal?

Ideally and if used properly, then yes, it certainly can make a voice sound "fuller." That's kind of what a compressor will do, in a sense. But again, that's "if used properly."

It's kind of like asking "will this paint brush make my painting beautiful?" The answer is that, yes, it can. But keep in mind that it could also paint you the most gawd-awful ugly painting you've ever seen in your entire life, as well.

 

[SonicAlbert]

You see, if you feed a solid-state device audio that has been "tubified," the solid state device will, in essence, cancel-out or "de-tube" what it is being fed, and you will be left with what is essentially a solid state signal again.

Yes, that's called the "Klaus von Haas-Been" effect.