What kind of compressor should I get??

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RoOkiE85

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I have a Seasound Soloist interface, mackie onyx 1220 mixer, 2 studio project B1 mics, and a Lexicon MX200 multi effect processor coming in...Was wondering which compressor i should get for Under $200....Saw a alesis 3630...wondering if its any good..need a good compressor though...also looking into a vocal processor....Need help on both items...
 
The Really Nice Compressor (RNC) from FMR Audio is a good all-around unit at that price ($175).
 
Did you not get enough answers in this thread that you started?

I think that you already have all the answers that you need.

- Jerfo
 
jerfo said:
Did you not get enough answers in this thread that you started?

I think that you already have all the answers that you need.

- Jerfo
not really cause i'll be getting all these things that dont make sence...i need a two channel compressor for the vocals...
 
RoOkiE85 said:
not really cause i'll be getting all these things that dont make sence...i need a two channel compressor for the vocals...
Which of the following comments didn't make sense?

"The Really Nice Compressor is really nice."
"...a whole lot of people love the RNC for good sound at a good price."
"You'd be better off getting a couple of Really Nice Compressors (4 channels for $350), and/or Really Nice Levelling Amplifiers (4 channels for $450)."
"...the RNC's reputation preceeds itself."

If you don't want a RNC, then...

"The symetrix 501. Totally way more useful than the RNC will ever be."
"I have the Cl150, and 501. [...] I totally dig both of those compressors."

There are other pretty clear recommendations in there, too. (DBX 160x, for example) In fact, that whole thread has a lot of very useful information and well-stated opinions in it.

If you have your heart set on the 3630 and don't care to read any of the 13,400 reviews on Google or the 500+ messages about it here, then knock yourself out. However, I think that you've already gotten plenty of feedback on what folks really recommend around here.

- Jerfo
 
whats the difference between a voice processor and a compressor???
 
and what about the dbx 166xl two channel compressor??? does that one work good??
 
so you could use a one channel compressor for two mics vocaling simutanously???
 
RoOkiE85 said:
so you could use a one channel compressor for two mics vocaling simutanously???

on two separate voices, or just one voice with 2 mics? the reason that's important, is if you will be recording 2 voices simultaneously, you'll need a dual mono compressor, rather than just stereo. using 2 mics on one voice is rarely advantageous.
 
Well, you can use one compressor for 2 voices, but you'll then have to record those 2 voices on one track. I don't think that's what you are looking to do.

OK- the other thread has a LOT of good info in it, but I can see where it might be a bit confusing for a rookie. Let's see if I can clear up a few of what seem to be your concerns:

1) The Alesis compressors work, but not nearly as well as the other units that have been recommended. If you're looking to get the best sound out of your $350 budget the Alesis compressors are not the way to do.

2) For your price range, you will NOT find a better deal than 2 RNC's for your 2 vocal tracks. Period. In this price range the RNC exists in a class all its own- that's why you keep getting folks recommending it.

3) A vocal processor is a single unit that has a bunch of things that typically get used on vocal tracks: compression, expansion, EQ, reverbs, delays. Make sure you know what it is, what it does, and why you need it because they are all different. They also all tend to be mono (only useful for one voice at a time) even if they have stereo outputs.

4) A good compression unit (like the RNC or the dbx units mentioned in the other thread) will typically give you better sounding compression and more control than the compression section of a vocal processor.

5) Your Lexicon will probably do all the things a vocal processor would do, in combination with a decent compressor.

6) You are recording to your computer, right? What program are you using? Why not use the vocal effects in the program? Or are you mixing with the Mackie and recording live (Micing up the whole band and mixing it to a stereo track on the PC)?

Anyway, I hope that was helpful.

Chris
 
Chris Shaeffer said:
Well, you can use one compressor for 2 voices, but you'll then have to record those 2 voices on one track. I don't think that's what you are looking to do.

OK- the other thread has a LOT of good info in it, but I can see where it might be a bit confusing for a rookie. Let's see if I can clear up a few of what seem to be your concerns:

1) The Alesis compressors work, but not nearly as well as the other units that have been recommended. If you're looking to get the best sound out of your $350 budget the Alesis compressors are not the way to do.

2) For your price range, you will NOT find a better deal than 2 RNC's for your 2 vocal tracks. Period. In this price range the RNC exists in a class all its own- that's why you keep getting folks recommending it.

3) A vocal processor is a single unit that has a bunch of things that typically get used on vocal tracks: compression, expansion, EQ, reverbs, delays. Make sure you know what it is, what it does, and why you need it because they are all different. They also all tend to be mono (only useful for one voice at a time) even if they have stereo outputs.

4) A good compression unit (like the RNC or the dbx units mentioned in the other thread) will typically give you better sounding compression and more control than the compression section of a vocal processor.

5) Your Lexicon will probably do all the things a vocal processor would do, in combination with a decent compressor.

6) You are recording to your computer, right? What program are you using? Why not use the vocal effects in the program? Or are you mixing with the Mackie and recording live (Micing up the whole band and mixing it to a stereo track on the PC)?

Anyway, I hope that was helpful.

Chris
no.....that was not only useful but just the right answer i was looking for...there should be more useful people out there like you to help out rookies like me....most likely, i just need something that will control the level of all the voices recorded...we might just sing two mics simutanously at the same time so we wont have to record over and over one person at a time...We have three singers and most of the time we harmonize in the chorus part...mics plugged into the mackie mic pre amps....so like when we scream out high pitches, we want it to be at the same level as when we sing the verses...We are recording into a cakewalk homestudio program....with seasound soloist interface, mackie mixer, and studio project mics....Just hoping that a compressor would help out the leveling thing....we also need voice effects and stuff like that......
 
there should be more useful people out there like you to help out rookies like me
Careful not to aleinate all the people that have been trying to help you so far. With the way you started this thread, I didnt realize that you had no idea what a compressor was until you said it later. Everyone here was trying to help with the statement that you put forth: "Saw a alesis 3630...wondering if its any good..need a good compressor though"

so like when we scream out high pitches, we want it to be at the same level as when we sing the verses.
A compressor will help this. That is what they do. The RNC would be a nice choice.

we also need voice effects and stuff like that
The Cakewalk software has some pretty decent plugins and effects that you can add to your vocal track AFTER you record it. It would save you money to try these (as they are built into the program) before buying an outboard vocal processor unit.


hope you find this useful,
Todd
 
You will find it much more efficient, easier to edit and a lot easier to mix if you record vocals one at a time.
 
sorry guys...sometimes it takes awhile for a rookie to understand thins....and get what he needs out of a thread...but hope you guys dont mind helping me out...you guys are very helpful....mayby i'll try the rnc out or the dbx....they sound like they are great product and sounds just like what i need..thanks again...
 
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