What's up gearslutz.

I'm in the process of ordering up some more outboard and am just trying to see what pieces you guys are finding to be indispensable these days. I would be outputting a couple of subgroup stereo busses in ProTools out to these compressors, basically replacing plugin compressors with the real thing.

I was wondering what everyones favorite outboard STEREO compressors are for:

1) electric guitars buss

2) acoustic guitars buss

3) background vocals buss

4) drums/perc buss

5) synths buss

6) bass [mono]


Any and all recommendations/reviews would be greatly appreciated


chris rojas
rmistudios.com

Dude - this subject has been whacked to death on this Forum - there's pages and pages of good opinion and information about compressors here for all the applications you list. Have you found the "search" button?

In the spirit of a forum, I will answer your question.

1) electric guitars buss
I tend to not buss these. If I did, I think a pr. of Distressors would be nice.

2) acoustic guitars buss
Same here, I tend not to buss these. Most likely a pr. of Distressors or Dakings for versatility.
This one can go two different ways for me depending on if the gtrs are more of a pad OR a percussive element.

3) background vocals buss
ELOP - Gooey and delicious. I usually hit it hard.

4) drums/perc buss
SSL 384 - -4-6db, 4:1, and I like the sound of the gain in this unit so, I tend to come back into the converter a little hard OR Dakings for a less aggressive feel.

5) synths buss
No idea here. I don't ever use/track synths

6) bass [mono]
ELOP(or)1176(or)DCL-200 into Distressor. I have no consistency with Bass or bass players. I almost try something different every time and have no real "go-to"


Let me close this with:
I suck. If your taking advice from me you're fuqd, but here it is anyway.


Good luck!


D

Here's what I use:

Guitars- Pair of LA4's

Drum Buss- Joemeek SC2/ DBX 160x's

Bass- ADL 1000

These are the favorite flavors at our house.

Elec. Gtrs - pair of LA3As

Acoustic Gtrs - LA3As for agressive, Drawmer 251 for transparent.

Drum Bus (usually in paralell) - Drawmer 1969 or SSL

Bass - DBX 160VU. Bass players can vary alot in there playing styles. Sometimes you have to try different comps and often it might be a combination.

Hope this helps.