which compressors would you buy with a $10k budget?

[dolo]

if these were your only choices which ones would you pick up? $10k is the limit. has to be the most versatile combination. also, do not base it on the compressors that you already have. it's as if you were starting a new.

[NathanEldred]

You missed a whole bunch that would be on my list...what are you doing? Tracking, mixing, mastering - all of the above?

For what I need...

2 x Distressors
2 x Purple MC77's
2 x Crane Song Trakkers

The new not yet released Buzz Audio DCS2.2 looks as if it will be infinitely flexible, perhaps even more so than the Trakkers for my purposes (based on it's proposed feature set with MA series amplifiers).

******//www.buzzaudio.com/images2/dcscompositelarge.jpg

There's $10K right there and it doesn't get much more versatile in my experience (although owning only 6 comps would tie my hands for what I need to do...but it would be a start if I tracked with them also).

[dolo]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

You missed a whole bunch that would be on my list...what are you doing? Tracking, mixing, mastering - all of the above?

For what I need...

2 x Distressors
2 x Purple MC77's
2 x Crane Song Trakkers

The new not yet released Buzz Audio DCS2.2 looks as if it will be infinitely flexible, perhaps even more so than the Trakkers for my purposes (based on it's proposed feature set with MA series amplifiers).

******//www.buzzaudio.com/images2/dcscompositelarge.jpg

There's $10K right there and it doesn't get much more versatile in my experience (although owning only 6 comps would tie my hands for what I need to do...but it would be a start if I tracked with them also).

these are the items that i'm cosidering. i guess i should have made that clear. looking to upgrade certain areas of my studio. i'm mostly a producer/tracking engineer. i don't like mixing. i usually let others mix for me. but i still need the flexiblity to be able to when i mix that 1 out of five songs that i produce.

i do just about all types of music so i need to go from clean to grungy. i need to hear it compressing, then i need not hear it compressing. i need a fast compress and i need a slow compressor etc.

btw, notqble mentions: i'm picking up a purple mc 77 next week. and i have the tube tech cl-1b.

[joaquin]

I'll buy:
2. distressors,
1. 2-1176,
1. RED3,
1. La-2a,
2. 160A

[dolo]

Please Vote fome the list above!!!

then if you want to make other suggestions please be my guest.

i'm really looking for opinions from people who have experience with these units.

[Nutmeg II.]

You defenetly want to add Trakker and Buzz SOC on the list!

[dolo]

Originally Posted by joaquin

I'll buy:
2. distressors,
1. 2-1176,
1. RED3,
1. La-2a,
2. 160A

not a focusrite fan.

looking to pick up some 160x in the near future.

don't like the 1176 reissue. am oicking up a mc-77

still undecided on the la-2a reissues.

[dolo]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

You defenetly want to add Trakker and Buzz SOC on the list!

not really familar with the buzz audio stuff. the tracker has always sound interesting. i used their other compresor. was ok but wasn't to crazy about it thoigh. maybe that have a lot to do with it.

[AdamJay]

2 Distressors EL-8sx
2 Drawmer DL-251
1 Pendulum Audio OCL-2
2 FMR RNLA

i doubt i'd ever need anything else. 12+ channels of compression, lots of flavors there as well.

[dolo]

with twenty votes here's what you decided.

1...distressors el-8sx $2.9k
2...Thermionic culture Poenix $4.3k
3...(tied) chandler tg-1 $3.6k / pendulum es-8 $3.2k

keep it coming. it'll be good to get some post to why you chose these combinations.

[TravisK]

if your going for the la-2a,,,,
try the red stripe insted. skibbe!!!
bad ass hand made love!!!

[dolo]

i'm a little surprise that the neve 33609 is so far behind in the poll.

i also thought the fearn would have gotten more votes.

[dolo]

so with with twenty votes in this is where we stand.

1...distressors el-8sx $2.9k
2...pendulum es-8 $3.2
3...Thermionic culture Poenix $4.3k


the neve is final catching up to the front runners.

[robmix]

I'd do:

1 x Distressors 1300
2 x Dakings 2700
1 x Chandler TG-1 3750
1 x Purple MC77 1650

That's about $9400, nothing you can't record with that setup.

Or sub the Alan Smart C2 for the Chandler and pickup another Distressor.

[brownmouse]

my list would be

pendulum es-8
empirical labs el-8x
drawmer 1968
purple mc-77
and something else depending on my mood. the above are my 'must haves'.
joshua

[dolo]

neve 33609/jd is vying for forth place and not that far away from third.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by dolo

i'm a little surprise that the neve 33609 is so far behind in the poll.

i also thought the fearn would have gotten more votes.

This is probably because not many people have used either.

[dolo]

thrill
i hought the same thing.

especially with the innertube atomic squeeze.

but ilooks like the neve have finally caught up to the leaders of the pack.

[RoundBadge]

..The JD is way cool..took a little
bit of time fiddling to get my sweet spot on the 2b,but way worth it!
As usual, Thrill is right again .
Covers a lot of ground with a Phoenix and an SSl or C-2 in the racks. thumbsup
Eventually I just want every cool comp I can get my greasy little mits on!

[jdunn]

The Fearn is my first choice. STC-8 brains with Fearn line amp. thumbsup

[dolo]

with over 60 votes here's where we stand so far.

1...distressors el-8sx $2.9k
2...Thermionic culture Poenix $4.3k
3...neve ams 33609 $4.3k

which is would be $1.5k over bugdet

4...pendulum es-8 $3.2k
5...chandler tg-1 $3.6k
6...innerTUBe atomic squeeze $6.7k
7...dw fearn vt-7 $4k


keep it coming.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by dolo

with over 60 votes here's where we stand so far.

1...distressors el-8sx $2.4k
2...Thermionic culture Poenix $4.3k
3...neve ams 33609 $4.3k


keep it coming.

What happened?

Did Roundbadge and Tetness each vote 30 times?

[AB3]

I think there were some hanging chads in the count.

[84K]

Those who have used the Atomic Squeezebox would have to put it on their list. It is just that awesome. Unfortunately not many people have had the pleasure.

The Phoenix is amazing. As well as the Pendulum, and Neve. The TG compressor is an effect, so it is a different animal in my mind. Haven't had the pleasure of hearing the Fearn comp yet. Distressors are a must for everyone, but I would not pick them if I could only get (2) from that monster list.

Mine would be,

1) ASB (no question)

2) .... either: the Phoenix, Pendulum or Neve.
Depending on what the type of recording you will use it for(?), What gear you already have(?) and what function you want it to serve?

[dolo]

Originally Posted by 84K

Distressors are a must for everyone, but I would not pick them if I could only get (2) from that monster list.

this is exactly how i feel. id rather have one of the othe boxes.

Originally Posted by 84K

Depending on what the type of recording you will use it for(?), What gear you already have(?) and what function you want it to serve?

only thing thati have worth mentioning is the cl-1b with mullard tubes. i plan on purchasing a mc-77. i tend to use compressors as effects as well as the normal functions. besides that i really hate to hear the compression in most cases. so in most case i like a tranparent one. i love different colors and textures in my productions. i do all types of music. really. however my main style of productions is more of an eclectic style.

hope that helps.

[natpub]

OK, I voted--though I'd get a GML 8900 instead.

[dolo]

Originally Posted by natpub

OK, I voted--though I'd get a GML 8900 instead.

that's one that i wouldn't have mind on the list! thumbsup

[natpub]

Originally Posted by dolo

that's one that i wouldn't have mind on the list! thumbsup

Aye, it gets my "stealth bomber" award, plus it has that nice pricey quality that hurts so good!...enough to snag ya the old "yer sleepin in on the couch" award as well

A cool side note is that GM has a fun little DvD he will send ya for shipping cost that has him demonstrating how to use it (along with suggested settings and explinations of the controls)---ya don't have to buy one to get the DvD, if ya ask him real nice (I sit around watching it whenever I need a GM fix-- --yeah, I know I'm deeply sick).

[Mike Caffrey]

If I have to stay within the budget I'd go with these three.

Chandler TG-1
Empirical Labs Distressors EL-8sx
Pendulum ES-8

But I'd find a away to get a Phoenix too.

I'm just voting for the stuff I have, which I guess makes sense as I had to make this decision for real already.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by dolo

only thing that i have worth mentioning is the cl-1b with mullard tubes.

I'm doing one of those this week.. Got 2 stock[dragon] ones where I track drums..
now one golden[mullard/Tele] one for tracking Vocals at home.

I bet the Fearn VT-7 sounds just fab!thumbsup
Just vocals through the EQ line amp adds a little gold dust.