Compressors ?

[hageir]

I know some folks can get them to "pump" the sound a bit with a decent dancish groove, but I'm just not getting it.

turn the threshold waaay down, ratio down/up (don't remember) short release, short attack, then turn the make-up gain way up (because the signal will be fairly low)
that's the "pump"
it works best with a 4 on the floor BD, then it "pumps" in sync..

[space6oy]

what's the name of it? behringer has manuals on their website.

[space6oy]

no problem! here's its manual if you couldn't find it in that list since it's under MDX2600. i have one of the multicoms, imagine that composer's not a bad one to start messing with. if you wind up wanting another, try an alesis 3630, they're cheap and very easy to use and pretty strong. another cheap one that works great is the alesis smashup.

as for the signal chain, there are different things you can do with compressors in different spots. if you're just trying to level things up or to keep a signal from clipping the end of the chain before the amp (or whatever you're recording) is the place to put it. if you're looking to make one part of a mix stronger, or trying to smash it to make it sound different, you'll want to put it closer to that instrument's output before mixing it with the rest.

[hageir]

alesis 3630

they're the MOST hated compressors in the world, did you know that?

[space6oy]

alesis 3630

they're the MOST hated compressors in the world, did you know that?

i know i don't hate mine. and i bet most people who're new to compressors and want to get one cheap won't hate theirs either.

if YOU hate the 3630, just settle down and give a different suggestion.

[Suburban Bather]

What compressor is really bad with pumping. In other words, good for a purposely pumping drum mix.

[hageir]

alesis 3630

they're the MOST hated compressors in the world, did you know that?

i know i don't hate mine. and i bet most people who're new to compressors and want to get one cheap won't hate theirs either.

if YOU hate the 3630, just settle down and give a different suggestion.

the internet..
the words get a whole different meaning on the other side, I guess
anyways, things that some people hate are always someone elses gold..
and I wasn't being a j**k.
If it makes any difference, I do know that Daft Punk uses 3630's on everything.

Anyways, I had the NanoCompressor, which is like a half 3630, it was ok..
But it didn't do anything for the "mix" IMO.

I had a JoeMeek Compressor too, once, that thing was a lot better.

Also, OP, you might want to check out the FMR RNC, it's supposed to be awesome:
http://www.fmraudio.com/

anyways, space6oy, you get a warm beam from my heart

[space6oy]

anyways, space6oy, you get a warm beam from my heart

haha, thanks man. it was pretty cold in there before that
(i almost brought up the daft punk scenario too but deleted it since i thought you might throw some hate at them too!)

[killedaway]

just as i was about to buy a 3630, i ran across an article about the FMR Audio RNC 1773 ("Really Nice Compressor"). it's the only standalone compressor i've got so i've not much to compare it to, but i agree with every review i've found. i don't even pretend to be a master of compression -- i use it here and there to give some stuff a little extra bang and to pull in the reins on other stuff, but it works very well. it's considered one of the best compressors for under a grand, even when compared to some tube models. it's $200 bucks, direct from FMR's website. it can pump like you wouldn't believe, but it can also be amazingly transparent while still noticeably (and positively) affecting the signal.

that said, i still want to buy and try a 3630, if for no other reason than to do a side-by-side comparison. plus, the 3630 comes up dirt cheap in the used market, and some of my favorite bands use it -- and if i like the quality of their recordings, then it must be working for them.

[jasedee]

For studio/recording purposes, I'd sooner spend money on something like a UAD-1 card, or other high end software compressor than buying cheap and nasty hardware compressors.

For live, these low end compressors are generally useable.

[killedaway]

For studio/recording purposes, I'd sooner spend money on something like a UAD-1 card, or other high end software compressor than buying cheap and nasty hardware compressors.

i guess it all depends on what type of music you're making. i do mostly electronic/industrial, and most effects and processors that get panned by the masses end up being my favorites, for their unusual sounds.

that said, i still stand by my recommendation for the RNC. it's an extraordinary value, and again, while i haven't personally compared it to any other standalone compressors, everything i've read tells me it performs well outside it's price and class. further, it stands tall amongst the few software compressors i've used.

also, don't forget, some people just plain don't like software.

[Cruel Hoax]

If you're on a budget, I can highly recommend the FMR RNC. It sounds great (in that it's usually unobtrusive) and is cheap as h**l, considering its tone.

Sure, on paid vocal-recording gigs, I make 'em rent an LA-2a, but not everybody has that kind of budget. Hence my recommendation of the RNC.

Strangely, I was tracking vocals just today. I generally have two vocal paths set up simultaneously, with two mics, going through two preamp channels, to two different compressors, to "tape". These were vocals for a heavy metal project. We'd already finished the gritty, "dirty" vocals, and were recording the "clean" singing vocals. And the RNC just wasn't cutting it like it usually does! I tried switching mics (Condensor, dynamic, ribbon), but the compressor was still getting in the way of the singer's natural dynamic feel. So I switched to an old, wood-sides dbx 118, and it did the trick. Vocals instantly sat where they should, and the compressor was once again inaudible, except as the resulting controlled overall volume.

So, don't be afraid to experiment. This silly, clunky old dbx with wooden sides did what nothing else in my kit could do for this particular musical part.

My opinion on the 3630? It'll teach you about compression artifacts, that's for sure. So, maybe borrow one as an educational tool. Using one was where I first learned how Attack and Release settings sound when you set them badly. But, for similar money, you could get a dbx 266 or 166 used, and still have an "auto" mode available for vocals. Or save up 50 bucks and get an RNC. Or prowl old hi-fi shops for one of the early dbx units using the "THAT" VCA chip, as they do "their thing." Not always the best thing, but a good thing when it works.

SO:
First choice: FMR RNC so damn versatile and sounds great
2nd choice: dbx 166/266
3rd choice: weird other gear. Stompboxen?
4th choice: scavenged dbx stuff
5th choice: anything else. Offline software processing, maybe? TurboSynth in waveshaper mode?
6th choice: Alesis 3630 with traces to gate detector cut for better sound

-Hoax

[kyodai]

I agree about the FMR RNC. a great compressor. I don't have a whole lot of experience with different compressors but it's great. The RNC was suggested by someone who basically said if your gonna buy a compressor for under $1000(US) this is your only choice. and it holds it's own against the $1000 to $2000 compressors.

I have 2 compressors a behringer (I don't remember the model number) and the RNC. the RNC actually helped me understand compression. . . turning the knobs actually has a discenable effect. when you hit the bypass button you can hear an obvious difference. on the behringer there are times when I'll hit the bypass and think 'I guess that sounds different' using the RNC helped me understand the behringer but there is no comparison between the two. I don't know what to say about compressing vocals (I don't think I've ever done it) but as a compressor on your master or for individual instruments the RNC is great.

I'm not a huge fan of the super-nice mode but the normal mode is amazing.