Compressors... some of us do need it. What's the standard?

[brianisinyou]

I decided that it would be worth the money to pick up a compressor, and I want to avoid spending over $200. Of course I've looked at the behringers, but I'm really interested in the RNC (Really Nice Compressor (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=10&TempID=1&STRID=17611&Method=3&CategoryID=113&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=1&DepartmentID=5&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=).)

Unfortunately, many of the reviews are for musical applications. I'm running a panel show, and I'm more interested in keeping everything at a good level on the way out of the mixer.

What have people found out about the best compressors (for our usage) around here?

[X Pat Radio]

I decided that it would be worth the money to pick up a compressor, and I want to avoid spending over $200. Of course I've looked at the behringers, but I'm really interested in the RNC (Really Nice Compressor (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=10&TempID=1&STRID=17611&Method=3&CategoryID=113&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=1&DepartmentID=5&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=).)

Unfortunately, many of the reviews are for musical applications. I'm running a panel show, and I'm more interested in keeping everything at a good level on the way out of the mixer.

What have people found out about the best compressors (for our usage) around here?

I use a dbx 166xl. But if I were buying over I'd buy a channel strip. I would get the dbx286A, which is $199.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/286A/

[paul]

I decided that it would be worth the money to pick up a compressor, and I want to avoid spending over $200. Of course I've looked at the behringers, but I'm really interested in the RNC (Really Nice Compressor (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=10&TempID=1&STRID=17611&Method=3&CategoryID=113&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=1&DepartmentID=5&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=).)

Unfortunately, many of the reviews are for musical applications. I'm running a panel show, and I'm more interested in keeping everything at a good level on the way out of the mixer.

What have people found out about the best compressors (for our usage) around here?

We love the RNC at the PK and J Show. I bought a second one recently. Works very well for vocals/talk.

[brianisinyou]

We love the RNC at the PK and J Show. I bought a second one recently. Works very well for vocals/talk.

That's a good endorsement coming from you, Paul. I enjoy your show a lot.

I hope you don't mind answering a couple questions about how it's integrated into your workflow...

When you only had one, diid you just have it after the mixer? Did that work out well?

How difficult was it to find the "sweet spot" for your applications?

Thanks.

[jeffoest]

I've been using the RNC for over a year on our podcast as well. It IS a very musical compressor but it seems to work very well for voice.

I only use the "Real Nice" setting as that is what the RNC excels at. The 'normal' setting is unspectacular.

I find that quick attacks and releases on voices are the way to go. The threshold is VERY sensitive in Super Nice mode as far as the db of compression goes, but you can't always hear it - just do some good testing before recording and you're good to go.

Becuase of my setup, I actually use it in post production mode but I've also used it live a few times during Podcheck Review.

My two complaints on the RNC:

1) wish there was an on/off button
2) output level is low going out for some reason - not a BIG problem - I suppose I could always chain in another pre-amp if it was THAT bad...

[paul]

I route it into the mixer through the inserts of each channel I want to use it for. The insert sends the whole signal, so there is no ratio btw. "wet and dry" or anything. The whole signal gets compressed and comes back to the rest of the modules of the mixer--so it's prefade, pre-EQ.

I have to respectfully disagree with Jeff about the super-nice mode, which is a series of 3 stages of compression and supposed to retain the original sound's qualities without sounding squashed. I think this should only be used for music stuff.

Here is a post which reinforces what I've said, the third one down from Scott Dorsey (who writes for Recording Magazine and is an all-around wizard):
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.audio.pro/browse_thread/thread/fbfa3fd697fc9f46/a63667cd8bd4209e?lnk=gst&q=rnc&rnum=2#a63667cd8bd4209e

paul

[TTN-Jon]

If you've got the space, I prefer the Behringer T1952 Tube Composer, two channels for the price of one. You can get it for as low as $129. It has all the features of the DBX and some nice Sovtek tubes to warm up your vocal mix. The gate is nice too, especially if you have a squeaky chair in the room, or the room is a little noisy. ....Just my 2 cents.

http://www.behringer.com/T1952/T1952_medium.jpg

[zircon]

You can always do post-compression using a free software plugin. I personally use FLStudio's "Fruity Compressor" on almost everything for the podcast I cohost, VGDJ. If you head over to KVRaudio.com, you can pick up a whole multitude of free plugins, from compressors, to limiters, EQs, reverbs, de-essers, and more. All you need to run them is a VST-compatible host. FLStudio is one such host, and it's very inexpensive - there's a free, functional demo but you can't save with it (you CAN export files).

[Auddy]

You can always do post-compression using a free software plugin. I personally use FLStudio's "Fruity Compressor" on almost everything for the podcast I cohost, VGDJ. If you head over to KVRaudio.com, you can pick up a whole multitude of free plugins, from compressors, to limiters, EQs, reverbs, de-essers, and more. All you need to run them is a VST-compatible host. FLStudio is one such host, and it's very inexpensive - there's a free, functional demo but you can't save with it (you CAN export files).

I agree, post production plug in comps are a great way to go. I use the wve hammer comp in Sound Forge for everything. Very short learning curve. as far as stand alone units, not a lot of great ones under $200.