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Originally Posted by machineintel  Has anyone had any success with dbx comps outside of drum & bass sources? |
Yes.. 160 and 161(VU) on vocal mixdown, usually if the singer is a screamer and then quite often coupled with some other comp (vari mu type or opto).
Many times on distorted guitars and on acoustic rhythm when you want the sound to bounce around.
Tonally these comps roll off a bit of presence and low end when you use them, so this can dictate when you want to use them for color artifacts rather than compression.
And I'm afraid I'm going to contradict mjrippe... sorry!
I've mastered a lot of records with 162 (VU) in the chain. Especially hiphop and more aggressive rock and dance stuff. Used judicially, it can add a certain weight and color to proceedings that can prove beneficial.
Must add that I've always complimented it with another comp because we are talking about barely tickling the threshold light, let alone the GR meter.
IMO it is precisely because it sounds cleaner than a 160 or 161 (which, in my experience is actually the dirtiest of the lot) that makes it more suitable for mastering.
Different strokes....