Ableton Forum

i can't take it anymore i'm looking to get a 909 and good outboard compressor. anyone have some suggestions? looking to spend about anywhere from $90 to $1200 on the compressor. open to suggestions but in before buy software...

i use Cytomic - The Glue a lot on the drum bus with dope results.

@ djsyncro, that actually look pretty tempting but i just bought the new macbook pro that has the sd card reader instead of the express card deal... been working my ass off this summer. the opportunity arose so i'm trying to spend all my money on gear before it all gets spent on drink. sweetjesus i'll try out the compressor u recommended... really trying to become less dependent from the computer though, which is funny because i'm never in my room anymore.

willdahbe wrote:i can't take it anymore i'm looking to get a 909 and good outboard compressor. anyone have some suggestions? looking to spend about anywhere from $90 to $1200 on the compressor. open to suggestions but in before buy software...

between $90 and $1200? damn.. I've only got a recommendation that is $80 and one that is $1220. I'll keep my eye out for you though.

willdahbe wrote:@ djsyncro, that actually look pretty tempting but i just bought the new macbook pro that has the sd card reader instead of the express card deal... been working my ass off this summer. the opportunity arose so i'm trying to spend all my money on gear before it all gets spent on drink. sweetjesus i'll try out the compressor u recommended... really trying to become less dependent from the computer though, which is funny because i'm never in my room anymore.

hi there,

from my personal experience, it's the best compressor you will come across in your budget range.

you would have to spend another $1000 on top of your current budget to start getting something that really justifies the outlay.

alternatively, on the cheap try an alesis 3630 compressor on your drum tracks.

I actually have an alesis 3630, maybe I should blow the dust off of it and see what it can do...

For drums, a dbx 160 not to mix up with the 166 bad ass for drums, squasches the hell out of them, but not suitable for many other things than that!

Manley, also wicked for 'harder' action.

Johnisfaster wrote:I actually have an alesis 3630, maybe I should blow the dust off of it and see what it can do...

oh yea. Dust him off, shame they don't make ´em anymore, very good compressor for low money!

I might just sell it, I've been selling most of my studio anyway. it's got a broken rack ear corner though, but can still be racked easily.

any takers?

the 3630 it's a really good comp. and for the money it's just the best!
anyway, if you are rich, empirical lab distressor it's the most amazing beast i ever came across! one day, after i'll make a couple of hits i'll get 2!

there are lots of ssl clones on ebay, some are very good, other sucks!

bang for the buck... the dbx 160...wipes everyhting in that price range...
it's friggin awesome... especially with percussive stuff...(including synths and bass)
used to own one... hitting myself on the head that I've sold it...

lately I've been thinking about this little bugger...


looks very flexible as far as compression goes... hadn't had any experience with it ...but it seems to get great reviews....
and by looking at the parameters...
I can tell I'm gonna like this unit...

Yeah, the 160 is 'the classic drum squascher' but it has no transparency, none at all!!
therefor very limited in use. but as mentioned amazing on drums / perc.

The Neve Portico is right at the top of your price range and is the cleanest, best sounding, most versatile compressor I've ever heard at that price point. You really can't go wrong with it.

Bad ass compressor =