best tracking compressor for under $800

[IPLayHamers]

I need a compressor for mostly vocal tracking, but should also be good on bass and other sources.

My budget is $800. I've been looking at the Summit audio TLA-50 with the intention of playing with various tubes, but I'm open to other suggestions.

Mic preamps include a Daking Mic Pre/EQ and a Focusrite ISA-One.
Mics are a Blue Kiwi, Blueberry and A/T 4033.

Thanks for any suggestions or help.

Super J

[rty5150]

i am thinking the toft DC-2 for 1176 style compression.
the great old standby is the dbx 160. i own a pair of 160x's and love the shit out of them. basic, simple, clean, and do their freaking job! the rnc i have is cool, too.
for $800, i would look at the toft line. the EC-1 is a single channel version of the ATC-2. trident like preamp and eq with a 1176 style comp.

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by rty5150

i am thinking the toft DC-2 for 1176 style compression.
the great old standby is the dbx 160. i own a pair of 160x's and love the shit out of them. basic, simple, clean, and do their freaking job! the rnc i have is cool, too.
for $800, i would look at the toft line. the EC-1 is a single channel version of the ATC-2. trident like preamp and eq with a 1176 style comp.

I know I love my dbx gold canned 903's

[IPLayHamers]

any thoughts on the summit tla-50? I might be able to get one for a steal.

[awakened]

Originally Posted by IPLayHamers

any thoughts on the summit tla-50? I might be able to get one for a steal.

if you can, i'd say go for it. it works great on bass and vox. i've only used it when mixing though...

aside from that, the dbx 160 or 166 (not the xl version) are great tracking comps. 166 if you need stereo obviously

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by awakened

if you can, i'd say go for it. it works great on bass and vox. i've only used it when mixing though...

aside from that, the dbx 160 or 166 (not the xl version) are great tracking comps. 166 if you need stereo obviously

how do you feel about the 166a?
i have one of those that is doing live duties until i finish my new studio, which is right around the corner. then it will be in the effects rack for tracking purposes. got a toft atc-2 in the works, too.

[Jungle Jazz]

If you only need a single channel, the Safe Sound P1 is a terrific tracking comp, and it's got a real good preamp to boot. It's right under your price limit.

[awakened]

Originally Posted by rty5150

how do you feel about the 166a?
i have one of those that is doing live duties until i finish my new studio, which is right around the corner. then it will be in the effects rack for tracking purposes. got a toft atc-2 in the works, too.

i was talking about the A. great comp.

[kcmoonshine]

The Aphex Expressor is really great and you can get one for around $250 used. No color/character though, just clean transparent compression with lots of control.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

If you only need a single channel, the Safe Sound P1 is a terrific tracking comp, and it's got a real good preamp to boot. It's right under your price limit.

+1...P1 rocks on vocals & bass...talk to Warren at Zen Audio for the details...

[Heartfelt]

There are several good choices. Another is the FMR PBC-6A. It does clean and
gentle very well, can add some warmth and punch and then crush. Pretty versatile
box for multiple instruments.

FMR Audio PBC-6A Mono Compressor

[Lipps]

Originally Posted by Kevin Curtin

The Aphex Expressor is really great and you can get one for around $250 used. No color/character though, just clean transparent compression with lots of control.

+1 this is a hidden gem that many don't know about. don't let the used price fool you. This is a professional tool all the way. I got one a year ago on ebay for $100.

[2Loud]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

There are several good choices. Another is the FMR PBC-6A. It does clean and
gentle very well, can add some warmth and punch and then crush. Pretty versatile
box for multiple instruments.

FMR Audio PBC-6A Mono Compressor

co-sign! great unit/value..

[mood_shifter]

If you have $800 to spend you might consider finding a used ADL 1000. I had one for a few years and used it so much that I bought an ADL 1500 (stereo version). I had the Summit TLA-50 for awhile and was very underwhelmed. In fact I didn't like it much at all. I also had a Aphex Expressor (Modded by Jim Williams) and found it pretty underwhelming as well. I love my DBX 162 VU but not so much for vocals. The ADL is lovely on Vox, Bass, acoustic guitar etc. I do suggest changing out the tubes though for some great NOS Amperex, Mullard or Telefunkens.

[Morninggloryseed]

Well, I don't know about under $800 but having a lot of the under $500 compressors (alesis, DBX, behringer) I have fallen in love with the ART TCS. :)

I'm sure the guys here will direct you to something better if you can go $800 but for that much you can buy two of these and have four channels of compression.

You can read what makes it special online, but needless to say there is no other compressor I am aware of which gives you that kind of sound, with both optical and VCA-type compression at that price. I doin't know why they stopped making them, but it sounds amazing.

Find one used on ebay.

[Nolet]

save up 200 more dollars and get a second hand distressor. You'll have a piece of kit you'll never grow tired of.

[mexicola]

JBL/UREI 7110. Can be had usually for $200-300 on ebay. Get yourself a couple. They are amazing with or without the optional output transformer - I have one of each and I use them all the time.

[KRStudio]

For under $800 I would get a DBX165 comp/limiter. It's a serious peice of gear! Some (most) of the other comps mention are good for some things but not others. The 165 is good on just about anything and great on a handfull on top of that. Hard to beat in your price range.

Jeff

[66d35]

Gotta say.. for some things, especially vocals, I find the PRO VLA (Mk II) hard to beat. I got mine a couple of years ago for something like $200, put in a couple of NOS tubes, and though we have others that are much more expensive, I still find myself using it regularly. Very smooth and transparent. No complaints. Silly price for a nice comp.

Andy