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Re: OT Re: Compressor/Limiter recommendations



--- Mark Hamburg <mark_hamburg@baymoon.com> wrote:

> I definitely appreciate the value of dynamic range. I probably should
> have
> expressed this more as a search for a good limiter so that I can run
> my
> signal reasonably hot without worrying about digital clipping if I
> get a bit louder in spots.

I have constant problems with levels getting whacked out in my looping
rig. It seems that the nature of stacking layers in delays just
naturally builds up the levels and it's hard to keep things even and
under control. I'm not using any compression right now (beyond what I
start with on my guitar signal), but I may think about it at some
point.

> The RNC gets lots of good reviews but seems mostly to be a
> compressor. Any limiter specific recommendations? 

The RNC will work just fine as a limiter. A limiter's just a compressor
with a high ratio and a fast response. The RNC has the fastest attack
time I've seen on a compressor (not always a good thing...<grin>). I
have a couple of them in my studio and they're nice when you need to
get levels under control without hearing 'em. Sure you can MAKE 'em
pump, if that's what you're after, but it's harder then with a lot of
compressors.

> I take it that the ART Tube MP is a reasonable option?

It wouldn't be my first choice...but that's primarily just based on my
experience with other ART gear and a few tracks I've heard here and
there that used them (which weren't recorded when I could see/hear how
they were done, so this may be unfair).

Personally, I'd avoid the dbx compressors unless you want your sound
colored like a dbx. They have a definite sound and you may not want
that. Oh yeah, and forget the dbxes if you want to run it at instrument
level, they're too noisy.

For transparent line level compression, the RNC is hard to beat for the
price. If you want to spend more and get a more flexable unit, the
Empirical Labs Distressor is a great sounding studio compressor that
can emulate many classic units costing much more. It's mono, so if you
want stereo you have to buy two. Line level only. For a compressor of
it's calibre, it's really a pretty good value too.

It sounds like you have two applications in mind. First, the guitar
(instrument) compressor to shape your sound, and second some
transparent limiters to give you more freedom from level problems while
you're perform (probably line level).

I haven't found a guitar compressor I totally like yet. I used a Boss
CS-3 for awhile and regardless of where you set the knobs, it
accentuates the inital attack more then I like. I want the sustain
without the attack and I could never get that from this box. That said,
a lot of people love these. For that clean country solo sound, this is
it.

If you want to talk offline, I have a couple of Symetrix compressors
that I'd like to sell. Rack mount (1u), line level, stereo or dual
mono, real power supplies (no warts). They're more transparent then a
dbx, somewhat less so then an RNC. Overall, I think they sound pretty
good.

Greg

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