Opinions on Symetrix & Ashly Compressors?

rids · 12th April 2007, 12:27 AM

I was wondering what status Ashly and Symetrix compressors hold. Are the Ashly CL-52 comps any good? SC-50? What about the Symetrix 525 or 501? Anyone have any opinions or experience with these?

ozraves · 12th April 2007, 01:26 PM

Search it out on Google Groups and you'll find lots of info.

Sounds Great · 12th April 2007, 01:32 PM

I just bought an Ashly CL52E. Sounds like a million bucks!

PoorGlory · 13th April 2007, 12:03 PM

Symetrix comps are awesome.

paulneedles · 13th April 2007, 08:10 PM

I've got a 525. It's a good transparent level controller, you can hardly hear it. It's pretty good on the mix buss, vocals, bass, piano, violin, not so good at drums and guitars as i prefer a more aggressive sounding comp on those. Go for the 501 instead if you don't need a stereo comp, as that has attack and release controls that are sadly missing from the 525.

jackrabbit · 16th April 2007, 04:49 AM

Symetrix 501: There are 2 versions, with different VCA's. They both sound good, but a little different. They sound nice when compressing bass for an obvious effect. I liked mine on vocals as well.

Symetrix Cl-100: I like this box alot for squishing kick drums/room mics, or distorting a bass line. You can get these for less money that the 501 on ebay, and i end up using these more than my 501.

Symetrix 528: this is the channel strip with compressor included. Less controls, but the compressor works adequetly. I had my 528 modded by Jim Williams. The entire sound of the box has changed...it sounds like a "hi end" box to my ears now.

Basically, all of them will take 3-4 db's off with nothing to notice; when pushed, then all sound different.

hope that helps

Pohaku · 16th April 2007, 05:00 AM

The 501 is great on bass. Get the one with the metal toggle power switch.

The SX206 and SX208 are very usable basic comps and generally dirt cheap. They won't replace your Distressor or 1968, but they are more usable than a 266 or 3630 IMHO.

peeder · 16th April 2007, 06:42 AM

I picked up the new Ashly CLX-52 charcoal face for under $400 and I'm very impressed with it for guitars... A relatively uncolored compressor that's remarkably resistant to distortion and emphasizes the mids quite well while staying clear up. Make-up gain isn't bypassable which is a bit odd but survivable. Usually outstanding, road-worthy Ashly build quality. I wonder why these don't get more attention.

With a sidechain eq it might also work for bass and vocals but I haven't tried it yet.

hgen · 16th April 2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pohaku

The 501 is great on bass. Get the one with the metal toggle power switch.

The SX206 and SX208 are very usable basic comps and generally dirt cheap. They won't replace your Distressor or 1968, but they are more usable than a 266 or 3630 IMHO.

Yes I can confirm the 501 is a 'go to' comp for bass!

rufus13 · 16th April 2007, 06:16 PM

Don't forget RANE and APHEX who made some good pro units that are on the used market.

Midlandmorgan · 16th April 2007, 06:49 PM

We've got a pair of SC50s and a pair of CL52s, and both are killer units...very versitile, very easy to dial in THAT sound (whatever 'that' may be at the moment) and are, IMO, very under rated...

People are starting to 'get' the SC50s though...prices seem to be going higher and higher...maybe if M Wegener and Fletcher start praising some other obscure gear, these will come back down and I can buy up what's left out there...

Sounds Great · 16th April 2007, 06:52 PM

Also don't forget about the MXR dual limiter. Not quite as clean/transparent, but a very musical compressor. Another of my favorites, and still cheap.

Pohaku · 16th April 2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Also don't forget about the MXR dual limiter. Not quite as clean/transparent, but a very musical compressor. Another of my favorites, and still cheap.

Yeah, I know. I'm still kicking myself for not picking one up when you sold yours off.

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12th April 2007, 12:27 AM	#1
rids Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Between Harmony & Irregularity Posts: 897	Opinions on Symetrix & Ashly Compressors? I was wondering what status Ashly and Symetrix compressors hold. Are the Ashly CL-52 comps any good? SC-50? What about the Symetrix 525 or 501? Anyone have any opinions or experience with these? __________________ "It ain't the instrument, Baby!" - Ray Charles

12th April 2007, 01:32 PM	#3
Sounds Great Gear Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 10,953	I just bought an Ashly CL52E. Sounds like a million bucks! __________________ You awake with a start To just the beating of your heart. Just one man beneath the sky, Just two ears, just two eyes.

16th April 2007, 04:49 AM	#6
jackrabbit Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ottawa Posts: 135	symetrix compressors Symetrix 501: There are 2 versions, with different VCA's. They both sound good, but a little different. They sound nice when compressing bass for an obvious effect. I liked mine on vocals as well. Symetrix Cl-100: I like this box alot for squishing kick drums/room mics, or distorting a bass line. You can get these for less money that the 501 on ebay, and i end up using these more than my 501. Symetrix 528: this is the channel strip with compressor included. Less controls, but the compressor works adequetly. I had my 528 modded by Jim Williams. The entire sound of the box has changed...it sounds like a "hi end" box to my ears now. Basically, all of them will take 3-4 db's off with nothing to notice; when pushed, then all sound different. hope that helps

16th April 2007, 05:00 AM	#7
Pohaku Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 919	The 501 is great on bass. Get the one with the metal toggle power switch. The SX206 and SX208 are very usable basic comps and generally dirt cheap. They won't replace your Distressor or 1968, but they are more usable than a 266 or 3630 IMHO. __________________ Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.

12th April 2007, 01:26 PM	#2
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,116	Search it out on Google Groups and you'll find lots of info.

13th April 2007, 12:03 PM	#4
PoorGlory Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,271	Symetrix comps are awesome.

13th April 2007, 08:10 PM	#5
paulneedles Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 129	I've got a 525. It's a good transparent level controller, you can hardly hear it. It's pretty good on the mix buss, vocals, bass, piano, violin, not so good at drums and guitars as i prefer a more aggressive sounding comp on those. Go for the 501 instead if you don't need a stereo comp, as that has attack and release controls that are sadly missing from the 525.

16th April 2007, 06:42 AM	#8
peeder Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: No longer participating here. Posts: 6,742	I picked up the new Ashly CLX-52 charcoal face for under $400 and I'm very impressed with it for guitars... A relatively uncolored compressor that's remarkably resistant to distortion and emphasizes the mids quite well while staying clear up. Make-up gain isn't bypassable which is a bit odd but survivable. Usually outstanding, road-worthy Ashly build quality. I wonder why these don't get more attention. With a sidechain eq it might also work for bass and vocals but I haven't tried it yet.

16th April 2007, 06:16 PM	#10
rufus13 Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 487	USA-made compressors Don't forget RANE and APHEX who made some good pro units that are on the used market. __________________ “Why of course the people don't want war. ....Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” -Herman Goering

16th April 2007, 06:49 PM	#11
Midlandmorgan Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Midland TX Posts: 1,079	We've got a pair of SC50s and a pair of CL52s, and both are killer units...very versitile, very easy to dial in THAT sound (whatever 'that' may be at the moment) and are, IMO, very under rated... People are starting to 'get' the SC50s though...prices seem to be going higher and higher...maybe if M Wegener and Fletcher start praising some other obscure gear, these will come back down and I can buy up what's left out there... __________________ Ken Morgan Wireline Studio Midland, TX Don't Blame Me, I Just Recorded What You Played

16th April 2007, 06:52 PM	#12
Sounds Great Gear Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 10,953	Also don't forget about the MXR dual limiter. Not quite as clean/transparent, but a very musical compressor. Another of my favorites, and still cheap. __________________ You awake with a start To just the beating of your heart. Just one man beneath the sky, Just two ears, just two eyes.

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