| Versatile Stereo Tracking Compressor
Hello all,
I'm looking to get into a stereo tracking compressor that can also play double duty on mixdown. It would mostly get used on vocals, electric guitar and bass, possibly room mics or overheads, but I need it do be useful enough for acoustic guitar, which is why I need a stereo unit. I need to keep it under $2k for both channels.
For me, the contenders are:
Drawmer 1968 - Fet, so it can be quick, but I understand it's very musical and can thicken sources up...also has a tube output stage, which is probably part of the musicality and sweetness people talk about with it. Only heard it once, on 2buss, but I liked it.
Daking Fet III - I understand it keeps things in control and it's pretty versatile. I understand it's very smooth and open, but I have a Daking IV pre and while I like it, I pretty much only use it on drums for their punch. Don't know if I want more of that flavor in my rack, I'd like to thicken things before going in, don't know if this guy with do it, especially on bass and vocals.
Portico 5043 - It's got that cool feed-back AND feed-forward thing. I know a lot of guys like it for tracking and mixing and even works well on 2buss, but I don't know if it'll be the mojo I want to use everywhere. Seems Neve has gotten away from the color that made him famous. Better specs, yes, but the computer already has that. Now more than ever, especially with how clean the Aurora converters are, I feel I need a vibe before going in. Idk, maybe someone can change my mind on this one. I also don't care for the fact that it's half rack and looks goofy as hell sitting in the rack with the other half empty. That's stupid, I know, but it'll be a while before I've got the funds for the other side, unless I go with something cheap.
PBC-6a - (pair) This would be my cheapest option and if it's the right sonic choice, so be it. They seem to have a lot to offer, don't know if it's the right tone for everything I'd want to do, but willing to entertain, should someone give me good food for thought.
I tend to buy a piece of outboard, then I move on to something else, like an upgrade in acoustic treatment, or a new snare for the drumset or guitar....something different that would be useful for the studio. If I run into a good deal somewhere else, even if I had the money for a $2k piece, I'll pick that up knowing I'll probably never run into that deal again and then save back up for what I was originally planning to buy. However, this time around, I'd really like to pick up a good, useful and versatile, stereo compressor that'll cover as many duties as possible.
Help me out guys and thanks for your time!!
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