mcgoo Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I'm looking at upgrading the compressors I use for tracking. I do Audio post and custom music for corporate stuff, so the primary use is cutting Voiceover, Vocals and some instrumentation like guitars, keys, horns and occasional Violin. I mix everything in the box because I have to be able to recall projects quickly for updates / reuse, so I do not plan on using any outboard compressor for track inserts, mixing or mastering... Strictly for front end tracking. I have 2 DBX 160x and 2 DBX 160a compressors. I only need 2, so I'm looking at either a 2 channel unit or 2 single units (I have 2U rack spaces available for whatever I get). Budget is ~ $3k total. Recommendations? Thanks. Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Was going to suggest 1176, but saw your budget for two channels. Maybe two Summit TLA-50s? 2 Quote .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Vnuk Jr. Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 It would blow your rackspace allotment, but not your budget. I would get these two compressors: For your FET/optical needs: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B172A--black-lion-audio-b172a-fet-optical-compressor And for an amazing set it and forget it, yet really versatile VCA compressor: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CompII--daking-comp-ii-stereo-vca-compressor Seriously, with these two stereo/dual mono compressors you would cover a lot of ground. 1 Quote Editor - RECORDING Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Consider and at least try an FMR RNC https://fmraudio.com/rnc.html About $200 And, an FMR PBC-6A https://fmraudio.com/pbc.html About $475 And... an FMR RNLA7239 https://fmraudio.com/rnla.html About $235 All prices are for new. Would recommend you read reviews. These are 1/3rd rack space compressors, all three will fit in a single rack space. I have the RNC and it sounds better to me than the DBX stuff I've heard. Studio quiet, it's professional gear. I'll be honest, I haven't owned the other two. Based on what I know about the RNC and the FMR I don't think you can go wrong with any of them and they will be well within your budget. That will provide a good range of compressor sounds. You would even have enough money left over to buy another compressor so you would have 2 rack spaces and 4 compressors. Now I want them all!!!! 😇 1 Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 6 hours ago, Paul Vnuk Jr. said: It would blow your rackspace allotment, but not your budget. I would get these two compressors: For your FET/optical needs: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B172A--black-lion-audio-b172a-fet-optical-compressor And for an amazing set it and forget it, yet really versatile VCA compressor: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CompII--daking-comp-ii-stereo-vca-compressor Seriously, with these two stereo/dual mono compressors you would cover a lot of ground. Both of those look sweet, thanks! Assuming I can't figure out a way to get around the 2U limitation, the B172 would seem the more tempting, especially with its A-B, B-A routing options. I see 2 possible downsides... If I were recording 2 VO or 2 vocalists at the same time, I'd be forced to use the 2A on one and the 17 on the other. Secondly, using it for front end on a stereo source wouldn't be ideal (although that would be rare for me). Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 The unfortunately discontinued SPL Dynamaxx was a good tool always. I´d try to find one used in good condition. there aresome available on Reverb,- p.ex. ... SPL Dynamaxx SPL Dynamaxx SOS review ... or 2 vintage Valley People 440,- when finding in good condition and you can afford ... Valley People 440 refurbed A.C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Vnuk Jr. Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 3 hours ago, mcgoo said: Both of those look sweet, thanks! Assuming I can't figure out a way to get around the 2U limitation, the B172 would seem the more tempting, especially with its A-B, B-A routing options. I see 2 possible downsides... If I were recording 2 VO or 2 vocalists at the same time, I'd be forced to use the 2A on one and the 17 on the other. Secondly, using it for front end on a stereo source wouldn't be ideal (although that would be rare for me). True, that’s why I recommend both within your budget. But space is space 😁 It would be $100’sh over budget, but you could get a pair of what is considered to be the most versatile compressor of all time. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ELI8M--empirical-labs-el8-distressor Don’t worry about not getting the Brit mod. Unless you like to crush the heck out of stuff, I have had one for 15 years and I never use the Brit mod setting. Back to the Daking for a moment, don’t let its simplicity fool you though, it’s an amazing compressor and I love it on spoken word and vocals. It’s almost impossible to get a bad sound with it. 1 Quote Editor - RECORDING Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 9 hours ago, KuruPrionz said: Consider and at least try an FMR RNC https://fmraudio.com/rnc.html About $200 And, an FMR PBC-6A https://fmraudio.com/pbc.html About $475 And... an FMR RNLA7239 https://fmraudio.com/rnla.html About $235 All prices are for new. Would recommend you read reviews. These are 1/3rd rack space compressors, all three will fit in a single rack space. I have the RNC and it sounds better to me than the DBX stuff I've heard. Studio quiet, it's professional gear. I'll be honest, I haven't owned the other two. Based on what I know about the RNC and the FMR I don't think you can go wrong with any of them and they will be well within your budget. That will provide a good range of compressor sounds. You would even have enough money left over to buy another compressor so you would have 2 rack spaces and 4 compressors. Now I want them all!!!! 😇 Just an FYI, as far as I know all three of the above are stereo compressors. There is only one set of knobs so not dual mono but you could compress six tracks going in if you needed to. Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 23 hours ago, Al Coda said: The unfortunately discontinued SPL Dynamaxx was a good tool always. I´d try to find one used in good condition. there aresome available on Reverb,- p.ex. ... SPL Dynamaxx SPL Dynamaxx SOS review ... or 2 vintage Valley People 440,- when finding in good condition and you can afford ... Valley People 440 refurbed A.C. Both of those look nice, but I'll likely shy away from used, thanks. Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 20 hours ago, Paul Vnuk Jr. said: 😁 It would be $100’sh over budget, but you could get a pair of what is considered to be the most versatile compressor of all time. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ELI8M--empirical-labs-el8-distressor Yeah, I've already looked at a pair of those, and that's an option. I kinda like and dislike getting something so common / popular. If I had lots of $$ and rack space, I'd definitely want a pair. Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 19 hours ago, KuruPrionz said: Just an FYI, as far as I know all three of the above are stereo compressors. There is only one set of knobs so not dual mono but you could compress six tracks going in if you needed to. Looks like the PBC-6A is mono but the other two are stereo. Intriguing little devices! Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 1 hour ago, mcgoo said: Both of those look nice, but I'll likely shy away from used, thanks. Think twice. This is quality gear, very reliable. A refurbed and/or recapped VP 440 is unbeatable and was used in 80s/90s big studios as the front end for recordings all the time. A friend of mine still owns one for his pro studio using it for vocals, guitars and bass. The SPL Dynamaxx is 2-channel and unique for the speciality offering "de-compression". Means, overcompressed material get´s the dynamics back in a inconspicious way not sounding artificial. It´s also great for stereo keys, front- and back-end. The Distressor mentioned above is a candidate for sure too. A.C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 4 hours ago, mcgoo said: Looks like the PBC-6A is mono but the other two are stereo. Intriguing little devices! Good to know. The RNC is highly regarded by many, at the price it's sort of a "must have" goodie. My other compressor is an ART Pro VLA II, it's great for bass and other things but it takes up 2 rack spaces. I like having options, between the 2 compressors and plugins I think I've got it covered pretty well without spending thousands (and no, I am not saying that some of those goodies are not worth it!). https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/art-pro-vla-ii Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Vnuk Jr. Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 On 2/4/2023 at 6:31 AM, Al Coda said: On 2/4/2023 at 4:41 AM, mcgoo said: Yeah, I've already looked at a pair of those, and that's an option. I kinda like and dislike getting something so common / popular. If I had lots of $$ and rack space, I'd definitely want a pair. I can only speak from experience, especially if you are doing corporate gigs then getting something industry standard and versatile is wise. In the past I have spent many years chasing and getting lured into "cheaper, quirky, vibey, uncommon" gear. 75% of it I have long sold, and every time I have heard and used an industry standard piece if gear (LA-2A, 1176LN, DBX-160, Distressor) my brain and ears quickly go "ah, so that's the sound I was chasing." 1 Quote Editor - RECORDING Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgoo Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 11 hours ago, Paul Vnuk Jr. said: I can only speak from experience, especially if you are doing corporate gigs then getting something industry standard and versatile is wise. In the past I have spent many years chasing and getting lured into "cheaper, quirky, vibey, uncommon" gear. 75% of it I have long sold, and every time I have heard and used an industry standard piece if gear (LA-2A, 1176LN, DBX-160, Distressor) my brain and ears quickly go "ah, so that's the sound I was chasing." Good points and well taken. So far though, of all the compressors I've looked at, the B172A has been the most interesting. It's probably not as versatile or as safe a bet as a Distressor but I'm enamored with the concept. It occurred to me that if I really wanted a less colored sound, I could track with it bypassed and compress ITB, though I suspect that wouldn't be often. Of course I won't know for sure until I get my hands on one... 1 Quote Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio www.gmma.biz https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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