My compression purchase dilemma : 6 good channels vs 2 great channels

[Tom H]

Have you checked out those Retro 176's yet, that would obviously be the first thing to do. From what I see they can be pretty versatile and they probably sound killer too, but I doubt there will ever be any comp in the world that can be a substitute for six others.

I think though the idea of one amazing stereo comp or a pair of singles is a good one in your situation, mainly because you mix ITB. Wether it's going to be the Retro 176's a pair of Trakkers or a Thermionic Phoenix is your choice ultimately, but I would choose something amongst those lines.

[peeder]

I have little faith in the 500 series format in a tracking scenario especially (i could see building a console out of them) and so I'll be all for the 2 great comps. Never heard the 176 though.

Usually I don't compress stereo sources to tape; I leave that for mix time. So my tracking compressors are all mono: 1x LA-2A, 1x 1176LN, 1x Distressor.

[futur2]

EDIT: sorry i overlooked that you have the motus in addition to the lavry, so if you trust them and record more than 2 channels at a time yes more than 2 comps make sense, if you'd mix with outboard even more. if all of that is negative stick to the essence and buy another one or make the jump into something more fancy like 176 or thermionic...

[old post]

with only a two channel converter and not being able to use outboard when mixing i would tend to stick to two channels of compression.

IF you plan to upgrade converters to more channels and mix with outboard the lunchbox plan is not bad. i personally am very interested in the jml, that could be real promising. also the essence is really more than good as you obviously know, a second one would be great and (relatively) cheap. i nearly bought yours for a second one but something like a thermionic phoenix which i also have is the bomb although for me it makes more sense mixing than recording.