ian_dup1 Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Hi, all, I am slowly putting together a home studio around my VS-1880. After recording a series of decent-sounding demos, it's become evident to me that the compressors on the VS effects card aren't really going to cut it for too much longer. The one piece of decent outboard effects gear I have is an Ensoniq DP-4, but the compressor in that pretty much sucks, so I am ready to throw up my hands and go buy myself a new compressor. I don't think I could swing much more than $500 at this point, and less than that would certainly be nice. I plan to mostly use it for recording vocals and occasionally drums. Can anyone recommend a decent mid-priced compressor that would fit the bill? Thanks, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 check out the RNC (Really Nice Compressor) from FMR Audio. http://www.fmraudio.com It's about $180 street, and you would be hard pressed to find a better sounding general-purpose compressor for less than $1000. -Matt M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrock1san.rr.com Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 The Presonus ACP-22 $300, ART Pro VLA $500, Joe Meek C2 $300, and Aphex Systems 661 Tube compressor $500, are in that price range and worth consideration. Decide whether you need a VCA-based or opto-electrical based compressor before making a decision. This message has been edited by SteveRB on 07-03-2001 at 10:48 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Poff Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Ian, I would get an RNC and an optical comp. If you can't afford it right now, just get the RNC and save some more money until you can afford something at least in the $500 range. Spend any less than that, and you'll probably end up just using the RNC on everything. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_dup1 Posted July 3, 2001 Author Share Posted July 3, 2001 Thanks for the replies, y'all. The RNC sounds like it would be perfect for my current needs. So, what's the difference in functionality between a VCA and optical compressor? The only dedicated hardware compressor I've worked with is the lowly Alesis 3630, so I don't have a lot of experience in the area. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Originally posted by SteveRB: The Presonus ACP-22 $300, ART Pro VLA $500, Joe Meek SC2.2 $300, and Aphex Systems 661 Tube compressor $500, are in that price range and worth consideration. Decide whether you need a VCA-based or opto-electrical based compressor before making a decision. Where can I buy a JoeMeek SC2.2 that cheap? Please tell me! /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 First, I'm with ya on the RNC. Great box for the bucks. Second, optical and VCA refer to the gain control mechanisms used in the compressor. Optical uses a photoresistor and light in a light-tight package. As the signal gets louder, the light gets brighter and changes the resistance of the photoresistor, thus lowering the gain of a preamp. A VCA does the same function -- control gain in response to an external control source -- but does so using standard integrated circuits. Photoresistors have a built-in attack and decay time, and may contribute a slight amount of distortion due to nonlinearities in the opto-isolator. VCAs are more precise and predictable, but proponents of optical say it sounds warmer and smoother. It has no real headroom issues. I presume the warmth comes from the distortion, and the smoothness from the inherent attack and decay. BTW if you read my book "Electronic Projects for Musicians" you'll notice I used a ton of opto-based devices because of their ease of use, and the sound works well with instruments such as guitar. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stub303hotmail.com Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 I bought an Alesis 3630 compressor a while back when I bought my Mackie (Just for the small midi lab in my home). I don't really record vocals or live stuff, so I really haven't had the chance to fully hear it (Or maybe my compression techniques suck. I started experimenting with compressing individual music tracks separately, and get obviously better results (I'm still new to compression/limiters etc). My question is....Is this unit a piece of sh*t? I bought it randomly but have only heard bad things about it. I'm interested in upgrading it to something in the $400 range soon. This message has been edited by stub303@hotmail.com on 07-02-2001 at 11:05 PM This message has been edited by stub303@hotmail.com on 07-02-2001 at 11:06 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Bob Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 I love the RNC. It has made my 3036 a mere gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 < I'm interested in upgrading it to something in the $400 range soon.>> It works fine for a lot of people. The RNC is much more forgiving, though; you have to be a lot tweakier with the 3630 to get it to sound good. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Ventura Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 I was under the impression that the RNC was a MONO unit. You guys sure it's stereo? Also, I wonder why nobody mentioned the TL Audio Fatman 1 (the 2 is a mono vocal channel), which is tube, has tweakable presets that in most cases are top-quality, and it's really friendly, besides sounding great and having a good resell value, just in case. Max Italia Max Ventura, Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nawor Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Originally posted by argomax: I was under the impression that the RNC was a MONO unit. You guys sure it's stereo? Also, I wonder why nobody mentioned the TL Audio Fatman 1 (the 2 is a mono vocal channel), which is tube, has tweakable presets that in most cases are top-quality, and it's really friendly, besides sounding great and having a good resell value, just in case. Max Italia The RNC is a stereo unit. Of course you can use just one channel for mono, however it cannot be configured as a dual-mono unit with individual control over each channel simultaniously. While it performs similarly to most other average VCA compressors in 'normal' mode, the 'really nice' mode transforms it into a different league entirely. For vocals, acoustic guitar or entire mixes nothing comes near it for the dollars.... or even quite a few more dollars! 'Real nice' mode lacks most of the squishy, breathy, dull and life sapping artifacts that most cheaper compressors seem to have as part of their signature. Think of it as an Aphex compellor, with more control, for less than $200. Once you hear an RNC in 'Real Nice' mode the Alesis will never get another look in! I have three RNC's sitting in the rack next to me. Cheers Rowan P.S. Where's my endorsement fee?!! Just Kidding! "WARNING!" - this artificial fruit juice may contain traces of REAL FRUIT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 My Fatman 1 is very nice & useful, but I don't like it on vocals... at all. 3630 I have used a lot in the past, for the money it's quite alright I think but the gates are totally useless (I got an old one, probably one from the first or second batch). At least it's got a little more attitude than the Behringer Composer. But an RNC is much better IMHO. On a shoestring-budget, I'd rather go for RNC, Meek C2 or ART VLA than any of the above. Or find yourself a used DBX 160x, they are also quite capable. /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Ventura Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Ok Rowan, so the RNC is a stereo unit. I think I'll get one myself. Max Ventura, Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Don't forget to check the Tc.electronic Triple C, stereo version. "a really nice compressor" ------------------ --Smedis,-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Originally posted by smedis: Don't forget to check the Tc.electronic Triple C, stereo version. "a really nice compressor" Yes, with the new pricing it's a bargain! /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Cooreman Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 Wanted to test a Behringer 1952 Tube Composer against a Fatman1 . Tired of wiatin' for the Fatman i took the 1952 for a close listen . Great machine & more controls than the Fatman . Anyone compared the 1952 against the RNC ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted July 3, 2001 Share Posted July 3, 2001 I haven't used the RNC, but from everything that I've read I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. However, a good inexpensive compressor that I *have* used is the PreSonus BlueMax. It's presets are nice and work well without much tweaking. The unit runs about $150 new. -Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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