Best Pre/Compressor/EQ ?

[PacoTaco]

Hey All,
I need a good all around pre/compressor/eq to go through before I go into my mbox2. I have an mxl v69 and a 58 and record mainly vocals and acoustic guitar, along with some piano. Is the meek threeq any good? It doesn't all need to be in one unit actually either - a combination of two or even three is cool by me too. I like summit stuff a lot, but it's a bit pricey you know? Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks,
Paco

[halcyo]

Seems like the most recommended CHEAP compressors are the FMR Audio RNC and/or the RNLA (for more color).


halcyo

[bcgood]

I've grown to really like my ART Pro Channel. Good tube pre good opto and vari mu compressors and cool tube parametric eq. It actually rocks quite a bit once you learn how to use it. It just gives me so many different options.

I use to think it was too loud until I started using the pre amp gain and less of the tube gain in the pre amp and turn down the compressor amp, (Or at least keep it at zero, definitely not at 11 : ). Keep those leds in the green on most stuff and you'll be nice and clean/warm in a good way.

Cheers,

bcgood

[warhead]

Actually, that Pro Channel is a real standout as far as inexpensive stuff with mojo goes.

Without an EQ and if you're looking for clean control, the Safe Sound Audio P1 rocks beyond hard.

War

[Coyoteous]

- best for cheap? JoeMeek ThreeQ - merely rocks (not quite a bit or beyond hard, like the more expensive previous mentions)

Seriously though, it's good... or maybe the SixQ or TwinQ (or Toft?) - see if you can try any of these or others out and find what works for you with your mic(s), source, etc.

If you go with seperates the Meek MC2 looks like a good RNC alternative - there really isn't a good cheap EQ in current production. You kind of jump from the PreSonus EQ3B to the Speck ASC.

- or get a Onyx 1220 and an RNC and/or MC2 - more than you're asking for (4 pre's, etc.), but very versatile w/nice EQ for $700 to $750 (with one of the stereo comp's).

- then there's used/out-of-production... (Aphex, DBX, etc.)

I have a 3Q and a 1220 - they are both great pieces for the money and quite decent regardless of money - they rock sufficiently!

[narco]

check out the offereings from www.toftaudiodesigns.com

there is a reveiw at mercenary.com

narco

[junior]

+ 1 on the toft channelstrips.

i'm also tempted to check out one of those pro channels.

[dkelley]

pro channel has a true tube compressor in it, vari-mu, the real deal. also optical version with flick of switch, really useful too. more useful compressor than meek stuff IMHO, but meek is super audible in it's compressor if you like that kind of thing.

[peeder]

I picked up a Meek MC2. It's quite the opposite of an RNC and fairly complimentary. I have the RNC and the RNLA as well.

(I think my RNLA might have a problem with static distortion on low frequency signals...as soon as I'm set up I will run some tests and talk to Mark about it...it's not attack or release-time dependent.)

The Meek when used on snare sounds just like that big snare on B-52's "Cosmic Thing"...that huge 80's sound. The Meek has a lot of color to it that won't work on everything. It has a very shiny top and a huge smeared low-end. Sidechain EQ doesn't change this coloration much. I found it a bit too muddy for use on bass most of the time (although it could be an option) but I do like it on drum overheads because of the scooped combination.

However, the line preamp on the Meek is pretty damn cool! It makes things sound very sparkly but not thin or phasey like an exciter. It's a great way to improve the signal coming out of keyboards/drum machines (which is how I have it normalled). The mid-side width control can also help there.

The metering, at least on my unit, is way off...the gain reduction comes on too abruptly and leaves too abruptly...you'll have to listen rather than look! The GR hold (anti-breathing) feature seems to work OK but I don't have enough noise floor to need it. The build and appearance of the Meek put the FMR pieces to shame for similar $. Balanced i/o. They clearly aimed for an RNC killer.

The RNLA isn't as big or sparkly sounding but is very smooth and creamy. It's definitely a retro color...mid-70's ish. Balanced outs help, but still unbalanced ins.

The RNC is quite transparent and fairly lifeless but is useful. The SuperNice can work on vocals and bass. It's not doing anything for the sound other than compression...with so many wonderfully colored compressors the RNC is a bit of a letdown in that regard. For twice the price, you can get a new Ashly CLX-52 which is roughly as transparent as the RNC but is much more hi-fi, including a full balanced output section and two indepedent (but linkable) channels.

So pick a compressor based on what decade you're aiming for!

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by dkelley

pro channel has a true tube compressor in it, vari-mu, the real deal. also optical version with flick of switch, really useful too. more useful compressor than meek stuff IMHO, but meek is super audible in it's compressor if you like that kind of thing.

I use the comp. on the 3Q ever so sparingly, for that very reason (audible) - especially with the fixed ratio on the 3Q, though a little CAN be subtle. I'm talking 2nd gen. Allan Bradford design Meeks here - no experience with the Ted Fletcher designs. I take "if you like that kind of thing," as you don't?

Yeah, man - I'm interested in the Pro Channel. I kind of vowed to stay away from any low voltage tube stuff, which I assume the ART is? I also try avoid high voltage tubes from a maintenance standpoint. I'm getting in some Aphex pieces, most likely to resell: 107, 109, 622, 661(x2) - all but the gate (I think) have "tubessence" - might keep the EQ.

[Coyoteous]

Thanks for the MC2 rundown! That's the most I've heard about it. Sounds cool, but I think I'll stay away from the FMR and the MC2.

I'm already pretty good with an odd assortment of older comp's: a near mint 1178, a beat-up Audio & Design (Recording) Gemini Easyrider, 2 x Symetrix SX206, and an old CAD Polyframe with one of the regular compressors and a weirdo dynamics processor (also a gate/ex. module and a dymanic* EQ/exciter type thing).

Similarly, for EQ I have an Orban 622B, 2 x SX204 and a Moog parametric - so I'm a little light there, but have the 3Q and the Onyx 1220FW, which both have EQ. Odd again on my pre's: 2 x 1272's, SX202, 2 x Gaines Audio MP1 (built from kits - Jensen trannies, MAT02's, Roederstein caps, etc.) and again, the 3Q and 1220 (+ 2 on the M-Audio 1814).

While we're at it, my mics range from the sublime to the ridiculous: 2 x mint Sony C-48 LDC, 6 cap Oktava MK-012 pair, SM58, AKG C 1000 S, gray Sennheiser MD421, Calrec CB20C/CC50 and a killer Sony ECM-66S cardioid lav. (+ 4 x Karma Micro omni's).

Basically, I like mixing up weird/cool/new/old for different characters (or lack thereof). To get back to the topic - there is no best, but there's a lotta good! (bad and ugly)

*left that typo in: DYMANIC - I like it...

[Midlandmorgan]

Don't overlook an old style Mindprint Envoice...EQ is pretty stout but accurate, pre is not the best but certainly not too bad (definate step up from sub $500 things I've heard...) and a compressor that actually works...

No experience with the "Mark II" but the original run Envoices are great little boxes for the proce...I got mine for $125 nearly 8 years ago, and it still gets quite a bit of use.

[CassidyGT]

+1 on the new Meek stuff. My 6Q really sounds superb.

[junior]

+2

[DavieB]

I have a joemeek MQ3 which was very cheap. For the money you get a great pre compressor and eq. There are two outputs so you can use one going direct to your DAW and one for your mixing to monitor. It's my only pre apart from the mackie and I've used it for tracking vocals and bass. I couldn't get very good results with acoustic guitar though. It has tons of character and the optical compressor sounds good when you drive the input hard. The eq is shelved at 8K, 1.8K and 80Hz which I think is very usable, unlike my mackie whose EQ is unusable. For the money it's a great buy, I reckon you could get one on ebay for about £75 / $40 easily. The listening sessions have demoed one for bass and I think it stands up quite well in far superior company.

The Listening Sessions - Session 3

The OneQ looks very good and has a transformer switchable pre (the "Iron" sitch) so you can achieve an airey sound, optical compressor (meeky), a more fully featured eq, (you can switch the eq pre/post compressor), a de-essor, an enhancer and digital outputs. Again for the money you get an awful lot and it was designed by a pro in England.

The pre would be the real test though and if it sounds good on acoustic guitar then I think it's great.

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by DavieB

I reckon you could get one on ebay for about £75 / $40 easily.

since when does £75 equate to $40? it's the other way around. if it costs £75 then it'll cost around $150 in US or Canada, give or take $15.

just in case the pricing info is important. I have no idea if the £75 is correct or the $40 is correct for Davie's ebay price guide though.

Cheers,
Don

[DavieB]

Haha, yeah I got that pricing wrong. It's good value for money though in any currency ...

Be aware though that the sound in general is very warm sounding so if you track everything through it then your mix might end up sounding dull ...

In the main I use it in the for vocals and bass ...

It's no good for acoustic guitar so I am now upgrading my pre to a very high end API or Neve ...

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by DavieB

It's no good for acoustic guitar so I am now upgrading my pre to a very high end API or Neve ...

haha, no worries!

mmmmmmmmmm, API................ my heart flutters

[Janesaid2me]

I think a Meek TwinQ will fit the bill here...two excellent channels of pre/eq/comp and can be had for about 650 use on ebay.