hardware compressor?

the dark wizard · Post by **the dark wizard** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:17 am

whats everyones views, is there any point in buying one, all i have is soft ones and i want to know peoples views on them?

SubFunk · Post by **SubFunk** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:03 am

i say if you can't afford something around the level of a Manley, Crane Song or similar, stick with good software compressors, like URS, Wavearts, Waves and even freebees like the Blockfish (obviously depending on the use and character you are looking for)

there some nice 'cheaper' compressors, like TC tubes, or the focusrite compounder or classic DBX 160, for that techno pumping squashing the hell out of drums. but in my humble opinion they are not really delivering so much more or different results then plugs to justify a buy.

just my 2cents.

philipbarrett · Post by **philipbarrett** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:29 am

What you looking to do with it?

the dark wizard · Post by **the dark wizard** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:21 pm

it was just really to run drums etc out of ableton then back in again rather than use the soft plugs i have just now, i have urs and ozone.....might just stick with these......not bought any hardware toys in a while you see

minimal · Post by **minimal** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:29 pm

I'm happy with the triple C multiband compressor of TC electronics

Angstrom · Post by **Angstrom** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:36 pm

If you were recording a kit, a singer , guitars, that kind of thing I would say look for hardware. But if you are mainly a technoid guy you will be fine to truck along with software.

Tracking real drums or vocals without any compression /limiting can cause a spike before the Analogu to Digital stage, the Digi stage will render it as digital clipping. Very few people like digital clipping on their source waves.

you can get by without compressing duting tracking if you record at a high bit depth and dont aim to hit the top 1/6th of the meter, IE don't treat it like an analogue recording.

the dark wizard · Post by **the dark wizard** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:53 pm

cool, cheers for the help everyone!

ikke · Post by **ikke** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:02 pm

why not look into the FMR Really Nice Compressor? Cheap and supposed to be good... Otherwise for drums.. maybe get the The PSP Vintagewarmer vst?

MrSleep · Post by **MrSleep** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:42 pm

ikke wrote:why not look into the FMR Really Nice Compressor? Cheap and supposed to be good... Otherwise for drums.. maybe get the The PSP Vintagewarmer vst?

second vote for FMR Really Nice Compressor!

even if you record at high bit depth go in hot with a real compressor!

dj superflat · Post by **dj superflat** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:48 pm

the compressor is everything for certain kinds of sounds (vox), so a really good HW compressor is well worth it if you're recording vocals or maybe guitar (i think it's generally as important as the mic, assuming the mic is decent). but i can't see using it for drums (that's likely ignorance talking).

Angstrom · Post by **Angstrom** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:56 pm

dj superflat wrote:the compressor is everything for certain kinds of sounds (vox), so a really good HW compressor is well worth it if you're recording vocals or maybe guitar (i think it's generally as important as the mic, assuming the mic is decent). but i can't see using it for drums (that's likely ignorance talking).

ooh get you, fuckface.

limiting on the a-d ?

SubFunk · Post by **SubFunk** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:01 pm

ok, got you! if you feel the need of really slammin' drums via hardware the compounder by focusrite or a cheap DBX 166xl is doing a fine job for that. but they ain't for anything transparent.

still, i say in that pricerange stick to Plugs even for tracking.

but i see you have the itch for knobs

SubQ · Post by **SubQ** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:37 pm

One still can't compare a good hardware compressors-limiters with the best softwares around. Manleys, Neves... it's a hole other level. But again, I don't exactly have 10000 bucks under my bed.

That said, i like a lot the way URS compressors sounds.
I'm sure one day we'll see digital surpass the analog realm, but that's not too close. maybe in 10, 20 years?

overdub · Post by **overdub** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:39 pm

BSS - DPR-402

2 channel:
Compressor
Peak Limiter
de-esser

And you can actuelly find them second hand at quite fair prices, if you check for studios, clubs, venues that close down and sell their kit.
I did that, and never regretted

hardware compressor?

hardware compressor?

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