Outboard compressor, anyone?

[Shaky Tee]

I've been asking around about possible outboard compresors that I can use to get myself off of using my ART MP Studio preamp, when my ART Phantom II Box comes in.

A lot of people suggested the Really Nice Compressor.

I went over to that sight, and while I was really impressed with it, and as much as I'd like to have it, well, I need some thing portable. Battery operated, if you will.

I went to zzounds.com, and checked out the following:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.MXRM132&z=1626470415814

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.MSHED1&z=1626470415814

And even tho' they are not battery operated, I also looked at the following:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.RLLCL151&z=1626470415814

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.ALENANOCOMP&z=1626470415814

I would primarily be using this for vocals, as well as some guitar (once I get some cash and buy that electro/acoustic Ovation I've had my eye on). The top two compressors seem to be specifically made for guitars. Could I use those on vocals as well? Or should I get either one of the bottom two and deal with wall warts? Or should I just give up on outboard compression, and use plugins and wave editing instead?

 

[Son of Mixerman]

Yup, those are designed for guitars, but I don't see why they won't work in a pinch. Most of them are not very quiet like a rack mount would be, but it would be interesting to try. I know you don't have as much control over certain parameters but you can still squash the crap out of your vocals. I used to use a guitar compressor and gate on the mic used for recording my marshall 1/2 stack, it worked great. It worked better than the Alesis 3630 for sure. For $50 or so dollars its worth trying, especially since your employment situation recently changed.
Or you could just use the plug ins.. Whatever sounds good right.

SoMm

 

[Shaky Tee]

Yep...squashing is right!

Hmmm...I'm probably going to try out the Edward the Compressor. If nothing else, it seems like it might be workable if I use it ever so slightly...