With a Cheapness (Compressors) Inexpensive Compressors for the Budget-Minded Slut

[DrDeltaM]

I can feel now already that the Kent series are gonna be legendary thumbsup

[Teacher]

Dell sell me 1 racked gain brain PLEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEE

[Albert]

I'm going to second that recommendation for the DBX 903's and the 900 rack in general. The only problem with the 900 rack is that before you know it the slots get filled up and you need another one! I've got four DBX 903's, two DBX 905 parametric eq's, and three Aphex Expressor 9651 compressor modules in mine. I'd add the Aphex 9651 to the list of inexpensive (when bought used) but excellent budget compressors.

DBX had a weird habit of releasing dramatically different versions of the same unit, but never differentiating between them in any obvious way. Like the earlier silver sided 903 modules sound quite different than the later ones. And even the later non-silver sided 903's went through at least one major circuit board change without any outward indication. I know because I've got a bunch of different versions.

I'm also a fan of the DBX 160X, of which I have two. Again, multiple versions made with no outward indication, manufactured in different parts of the world. They sound great on certain things though and are much better than newer budget units at the same price.

Another cheap but useful compressor is the ART PRO VLA, in my opinion. Not for everything, but it is a handy thing to have around from time to time.

[TonyBelmont]

You got my vote for the DBX 160X and XT...

[Drumsound]

Ashley SC-50 is also a cool cheap compressor.

[bloodstone]

Presonus Blue Max. It can actually be useful on things like guitars, drum subs, even 2-bus!

[tINY]

The 3630 has it's place. It seems like all you Comp Snobs are recorders instead of live performance oriented.

SUre, you can have one or two nice comp/limiters if you have the luxury of tracking all weekend. But, what do you do if you have a 5 or 6 piece band with 3 singers and do it the old-fashion way... live? Now you need at least 4 channels for the drums (beat-up old dBx166/266 work here) and probably one for lead vocal and ane or two more for other mic'd instruments. All of the sudden, a decent unit that keeps the levels in check and gates when the mic isn't used for $50/channel starts looking real attractive.

And lets not get into what buget sound reiforcement speakers sound like. I don't think you could hear much difference between the Bear Ringer and a Distressor on the Sax in your typical <500 seat venue anyway.





-tINY

[chessparov]

Reputedly, my Ashly CL-52E is the pick of the litter in their line of compressors per RAP posts.
Especially on vocals.

Also the "toggle switch" Symetrix 501's are supposed to be the best in that series.
(has Valley People VCA as a part)

Chris

[Randy]

I picked up a DBX 118 for $35.
So far i've only used it tracking guitar and bass, but it seems pretty cool. It has a different sound than my RNC.

I ran a search and it only turned up one short thread for the 118.
Anyone else using this piece?

[Absolute]

A Joemeek Mq3--I think they have a new model now too. Its a preamp eq and compressor--cost like 200. Certainly is not all purpose due to the very heavy compression though

[warhead]

The Safe Sound Audio compression is phenomenal at any price, not the cheapest stuff but a unique flavor.

The dbx266 did me decent on the cheap years ago.

War

[Ruudman]

Originally posted by Randy
I picked up a DBX 118 for $35.
So far i've only used it tracking guitar and bass, but it seems pretty cool. It has a different sound than my RNC.

I ran a search and it only turned up one short thread for the 118.
Anyone else using this piece?

I use the 128, 118 with NR.
Totally cool VU sound thumbsup

[Bobalou]

using a GR ME-1NV DI input for bass, will the RNC work well or what older model dbx comp should I be looking for?

[Albert]

I think the DBX 160X works well on bass.

[hrn]

Aphex Compellor. It's very different from the others...and you will not hear it Love mine! Very nice for vocals.

Hans

[PaRaNoId]

I second the presonus Bluemax on bass guitar, but hate it on everything else other than taking the harshness out of a female vocalist. This unit really changes the sound and adds a fair amount of noise. I may be shot for saying this...but I think of it as the (very) poor man's LA-2A.

BTW- hated it on the 2-buss...can we say lost imaging!...

[Albert]

Aphex Compellor, good call! I have one of those as well, and it is certainly smooth. I had mine modded by Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades, and it is now even smoother and more invisible than before. It also sounds a bit sweeter with the mods.

An engineer friend of mine bought a Compellor after he heard mine, but didn't have his upgraded by Jim. I think he was a little frustrated he couldn't get his to sound as good as mine! :-)

The best Compellors to get are the most recent, the 320A model. There are some earlier ones as well, and a 320 without the "A". With used prices so low, it's worth it to get the 320A model if possible.

[hrn]

The Compellor is out of fashion at the moment. Maybe the sound ideals will go too fat in the future and the Compellor will see the light again....water or butter, you have to have both

Hans

[Albert]

Originally posted by hrn
The Compellor is out of fashion at the moment. Maybe the sound ideals will go too fat in the future and the Compellor will see the light again....water or butter, you have to have both

Isn't this thread called "cheapness" though? Out of fashion is good, that's when you get bargains on great gear!

Although I have to say that the Compellor seems like one piece that really can't go too far out of fashion, as it is so neutral and invisible in it's operation. You basically can't hear it unless it is *totally* abused. Not sure how that can go out of fashion.

[hrn]

agree...i will never part from mine. easy to use too with those "lonely few" knobs, All the intelligent electronics do the job for you smoothly...love that!

[jtienhaara]

dbx 163. For $50 you can make your kick sound like it's going through an 1176. Wicked attack! It really brings out the "snap" frequency.

It is a lot noisier than an 1176, but at less than 1/20th the price, are you gonna complain?!?

(Great thread BTW Kent!)

Cheers,

Johann

[EngineEars]

The JoeMeek C2 and Alesis Microlimiter are two cheap yet highly useful compressors not mentioned yet. thumbsup

[junior]

i checked out the new joemeek threeQ recently - it was actually pretty decent, imo. sounded better than my old mq3...

[Sounds Great]

The 3630 has it's place.

In the junk yard. There are dozens of better sounding compressors for the same or less money. There is no reason to subject anyone's ears to one of these. Most cheap gear can make a cheap sound that can be useful as an effect. These don't even meet that bar.

(note: the proceeding was the opinion of this actual user, and a compellation of other actual users who have voiced an opinion of said device. As always, it is possible to find exceptions in extreme and adverse conditions)

[Sounds Great]

For extra cheap, you must find an MXR 136 dual limiter. Can be had for just over 100 bucks, if you can find one. (I think I bought all that were left)

2 channels, independent or linked and balanced & unbalanced ins and outs.

They sound great to me. Like much more expensive compressors.

[Ruudman]

I just remembered... a Carl Martin Compressor-pedal.
Studio-like, that stomp.


ruudman

[MadGuitrst]

I'm gonna go off in a different direction - a digital compressor!!!.....the TC Electronics Triple C, stereo version for under $200.

I know what you're thinking, but it really does have it's place......I swear, it does. And no, I'm not high ....okay, maybe I am.

[Snatchman]

Hey, I hear a lot of talk about the Presonus Blue Max comp. What's the difference in the sound between the" Blue Max" and the Presonus "ACP-88"?

[roly]

Hi
I havn't read the whole thread but the Aphex 651 are a good comp for live stuff.
cheers