What's a super-strong compressor?

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ScienceOne

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I've got my RNP. It's a great compressor but a tad light-handed. Whats a really strong, squash-the-crap out of drums or rap vocals kind of comp. Anyone?
 
Damn, I most definetly did. You may commence vituperative belly-aching.
 
Ah, a Distressor, my dream. Those big creamy knobs........ although I know I'd be one of the guys to nuke everything.
 
Rob two liquor stores and/or hope your number comes in... there are very few things better in this application than an Alan Smart C-2 in "crush" mode or an API 2520 in "new" mode... 'hard' knee, 'loud' thrust... simply remarkable when used in parallel compression applications... simply remarkable.
 
dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay
 
std1 said:
dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay
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huh??:confused:
 
I'm not sure about that DBX 160X/XT suggestion. I have a couple 160X's and a couple Distressors, and the DBX stuff doesn't come close to the amazing crunch of the Distressors. I love my 160X's for some things, but they may still seem a bit light-handed for what you want. However, I personally think they would be better for some dirty-ish crunch than the RNC.
 
std1 said:
dbx 160x or xt the a version is good to but most people prefer
160x or the xt they can be had very cheaply on ebay
Click to expand...

I'm not feelin' you on this one!!
Lacks the transparency and clarity of the RNC nor the punch of the Distressor!
 
Hmm, ill just save for a distressor then, i've heard no complaints about it (except for everyone getting annoyed with the over-compressing novices, like me).
 
ScienceOne said:
Hmm, ill just save for a distressor then, i've heard no complaints about it (except for everyone getting annoyed with the over-compressing novices, like me).
Click to expand...

that is definitly the best choice... only 1250 for a single channel not too bad considering it will last forever...
 
There really isn't a substitute for the distressor.


But there is still some cheap stuff that can at least be mildly amuzing to kind of cool as an effect.

Ashly used to make some pretty nifty comps that can be had very cheaply on ebay. The affore-mentioned 160x can be useful. Also, don't underestimate the old MXR Limiters. Those can make for some really funky squashed vocal / drum / guitar effects.
 
chessrock said:
There really isn't a substitute for the distressor.


But there is still some cheap stuff that can at least be mildly amuzing to kind of cool as an effect.

Ashly used to make some pretty nifty comps that can be had very cheaply on ebay. The affore-mentioned 160x can be useful. Also, don't underestimate the old MXR Limiters. Those can make for some really funky squashed vocal / drum / guitar effects.
Click to expand...

I have Ashly SC50s and these things can squash like no tomorrow on bass, guitars and drums.
 
It's a compressor. And it's quite the audio marvel. I would say it's done an awful lot to define the sound of modern rock and pop/rock in this day and age . . . or at least more than you'd think.
 
I'm sure there are a lot of compressors that could work for you. But, I've found the RNC useable for rap vocals. It's not the best, but it can get the job done. Super-nice mode is not good for rap. Supernice is much better for singing that spoken words. Put the RNC in normal mode (i.e. turn the super nice off). Play with the attack and release times. These will vary somewhat with the song and the rapper. I usually have an attack of 30-40 ms or longer. You don't want the compressor clamping down on the attack of the lyrics. I also use a fairly short release time for faster vocals (~100 ms to start with). I'm actually quite suprised at your assessment of the RNC as "light." I usually compress rap vocals at a ratio of about 2:1... sometimes less and this gets most of the job done all by itself. So I can't imagine that the RNC couldn't do the trick for you.

Like I said, you can find a bunch of stuff to be useful. But, I would advise you to work with the RNC first and really figure it out before you run to spend money only to find that the problem was not in the compressor. The next step up from the RNC is going to be multiple times what the RNC cost you. I don't know you or your skills, so pardon me if I sound condescending. Since, I don't know what level you are at in the recording game, I tried to be basic... but with no intent to embarass.

Es.
 
i primarily do rap as well and i use super nice mode...i always felt/heard super nice mode off would add to much compression artifacts for my taste....but with supernice mode on i'll have the threshold inbetween -10 to -20 (depending how loud the rapper is) db ratio between 4:1 and 6:1...attack at like 2 ms or less to catch the 'plosives' and sssss's and a release of .5

Rev E said:
I'm sure there are a lot of compressors that could work for you. But, I've found the RNC useable for rap vocals. It's not the best, but it can get the job done. Super-nice mode is not good for rap. Supernice is much better for singing that spoken words. Put the RNC in normal mode (i.e. turn the super nice off). Play with the attack and release times. These will vary somewhat with the song and the rapper. I usually have an attack of 30-40 ms or longer. You don't want the compressor clamping down on the attack of the lyrics. I also use a fairly short release time for faster vocals (~100 ms to start with). I'm actually quite suprised at your assessment of the RNC as "light." I usually compress rap vocals at a ratio of about 2:1... sometimes less and this gets most of the job done all by itself. So I can't imagine that the RNC couldn't do the trick for you.

Like I said, you can find a bunch of stuff to be useful. But, I would advise you to work with the RNC first and really figure it out before you run to spend money only to find that the problem was not in the compressor. The next step up from the RNC is going to be multiple times what the RNC cost you. I don't know you or your skills, so pardon me if I sound condescending. Since, I don't know what level you are at in the recording game, I tried to be basic... but with no intent to embarass.

Es.
Click to expand...
 
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