whats better the r n c compressor

  • Thread starter Thread starter trebles
  • Start date Start date
T

trebles

New member
what would be the next logical step up from the rnc compressor i have two of these already ?

the music i like is mainly rock and rock n roll i was thinking maybe the dbx 166 but iam unsure any takers for this one please

is the 166 a better unit or not ?
 
From what I've heard, the dbx 166 would be a step down. FWIW, some people like it on bass.

The next step up from an RNC will probably be a big step in price and a little step in sound. A few units that come to mind:

Empirical Labs Distressor
Drawmer 1960

Both are $1k+ units. You might look into various opto-compressors like the Focusrite or even Joe Meek units.

What sort of sound are you going for? Have you tried any plugins?
 
I have both and the RNC is a much better unit in terms of clarity and sound quality. I don't use the 166 for anything except live stuff these days.
 
trebles said:
dolemite what about this from drawmer

http://www.proaudio.co.uk/mx30.htm

http://www.proaudio.co.uk/products/smx30.jpg


yah the sound would be rock n roll or rock and sometimes pop acoustic stuff and also jangly rickenbacker sounding tunes
Click to expand...

Well, since you already have 2 RNCs, my initial reaction was that you must want some kind of more colored sounding unit. Am I at all correct? Those cheaper Drawmers are also attempts at very transparent compression. From what I've heard, the MX30 is supposed to be equivalent to the DL241 in auto mode - something it seems to not quite suceed in either.

I can't really think of a better transparent compressor than the RNC, in the affordable range. As far as more colored compression, I'd look into an optocompressor like the Joe Meek SC2/SC2.2, or the Focusrite Platinum range (said to be rather transparent for optocompressors, though), or perhaps even a cheaper tube compressor. I've heard good things about the ART Pro VLA and even the Levelar. There's also the HHB Fatman/Fatman 2 in tube compressors.
 
the problem is the confussion about gear in general im in build up mode you could say and im trying to cover the bases as much as possible where outboard is concerned but dont want to go over board because i imagine the pc will also be handling some of the duties as well this is where all the confussion with gear stems from what outboard gear can be used in conjunction with pc,s etc but thats another question altogether

this whole compatibility thing between analog world and all that happens in the pc is a nightmare sometimes theres more sale gimmicks out there then real solid info

i bought the rnc,s because of what ive read and what i was told its hard to beat that unit on its level for what it does im was just sort of thinking that everytime i bought a piece of gear id rather take a step up then go backways with a purchase this is all i was thinking
 
Skippy made some good points the other day about using an inexpensive Behringer Composer for some hard limiting in areas where the FMR Really Nice Compressor might be *too* nice.

That led me to think that I might want to put a Composer in line with my TV audio, for instance, where the dynamic range (especially for DVD movies and TV commercials) has become absurd and potentially ear-damaging. Nothing pisses me off more than to turn up the volume to try to understand the dialog and then have the director hard cut to a jet on final approach at 115dB. I'd like to keep what little hearing I have left.

I feel like I'm groping in the dark when it comes to compression. I too would appreciate the hearing the opinions of those with more experience.

Many thanks,

Mark H.
 
ok so it seems that the two r n c,s i have will be about as good as i can get their transparent and the best bang for buck compressor available. P I T Y T H E Y A R E N O T BALANCED:-(

dolemite about adding colour i wanst really considering that i guess i mean i know they say the joe meek has its own sound so it would i guess be different from lets say the rnc correct me if iam wrong here AS IVE NOT HEARD IT BEFORE?

I was more trying to cover the bases correctly with id say different kinds of compression so id have a good allround way of handling the way i worked once i was ready to do so and also had enough knowledge in tow as well

im a beginer like many who come here so having a good grounding in what i need i find is essential but its hard to find info like this as it does not seem to yeild the answers i seek at the best of times.

the pieces of equipment you mentioned dolemite the distressor and drawmer 1960 id have to say are probably the next step up with some of the higher end focusrite units being quite nice but unaffordable at this stage.

I like to think of gear in terms of getting maximum use out of it i dont see any point in trading up on gear that works real well
I dont see myself as a gear horder but more someone who seeks to get what he needs in turn to get the job done well.

I dont agree that being inexperienced should leed me to have to buy second rate sales gimmick rubbish that dont work or live up to its sales hype and i realise theres plenty of that stuff out there too.

Theres a lot that can be said for having experience and knowledge over just owning gear and that someone with experience and little gear can i guess complete a job as better then someone with the best gear and 0%knowledge.

I fully agree here but having the right gear or having to purchase what is considered the right gear for the job at the right price is also appealing to me sometimes being poundwise and penny foolish is not a good thing you can save all you want by buying a cheap compressor.....

(THE RNC BEING THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE)

and in the end all you still have is a chep compressor sure if your good you will do wonders with it but once your good you will also have to sell the dam thing and i dont fancy selling second hand audio gear there is never enough margin back which means i hate taking a loss on anything i buy

some would argue and say well if you did wonders on it why sell it i also dont like to have to struggle and go grey to get results out of a piece of gear that is not up to task to begin with yes it can be done with years of experience and know how but for me id rather just buy right the first time and if that means ii got to spend more then spend more i will but all within reason i guess this is what iam trying to get accross

i thank you all for your contributions at the best of times making informed choices when your new isnt easy at every twist and turn you seem to wonder whos going to lead you where with what info and those who trully know not all but some seem to guard what they know or tell you what they will leaving you pretty well stranded and still no better off

The best example of info sharing which i have witnessed was the posts Harvey Gerst did on mics and they uses in different applications there was a golden example of a niceman sharing his wealth with all there was no attitude attached to what he gave and he worked so hard to give of himself i felt so happy reading his info it was indeed a wonder to read and iam greatfull to him for posting what he did anyway ive said enough again thanks guys i shall think over whats been said
 
Mark H. said:
That led me to think that I might want to put a Composer in line with my TV audio, for instance, where the dynamic range (especially for DVD movies and TV commercials) has become absurd and potentially ear-damaging. Nothing pisses me off more than to turn up the volume to try to understand the dialog and then have the director hard cut to a jet on final approach at 115dB. I'd like to keep what little hearing I have left.
Click to expand...

I do this all the time with my CD changer when I'm not picky about the sound quality. The problem is that older CDs are way too quiet compared to newer, hotter CDs. Switch from a track on an older CD to one on a hot CD and you'll blow your ears out. Of course such compression ruins the intended dynamics of the CD.
 
A lot of people like dbx compressors for drums, they aren't transparent but the artifacts that they add can sometimes be a good thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top