Jul 17, 2006 02:59 am ummm.... update im kind of interested in the Behringer tube composer T1952.
Buying an outboard compressor
Posted on Jul 17, 2006 01:23 am
crux
Typo Szar
Member Since: Jul 04, 2002
So its come time again for me to wreslte over teh 6 million questions it takes before i can buy a piece of expensive equipment which i will probably be stuck wiht for a long time. At the moment recoridng with my setup, i just use a mic into my alesis mixer then line out to my delta 66. This is ok for most recordings but i get alot of peak problems and for instruments that are quite low in volume, i cant raise their volume without getting alot of noise. So i feel its time i get a compressor. Problem is i dotn know the first thing about an outboard compressor. From wat i do know and wat ive seen, i know that i dotn just want one with presets, but with variable controls for as much stuff as possible. My basic questoins r
1. The compressor will help me raise my signals wihtout noise right? or will i still need a more dedicated preamp?
2. i dont understand how compressors have channels, if i hook it up to my mixer through the AUX and it has one channel, does tha tmean i can only put one instrument through it? or will i just run all my signals through the one setting on it.?
3. im looking at the Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate, which is in my price range, anythign more than 150 dollras is out of the question for me. is this an ok unit?
4. My compressor will work both for my recording and my mastering as well right?
and thus i ask for the assistance i know only HRC can give, give me any suggestions and knowledge u guys have about this subject. pls.
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Jul 17, 2006 02:59 am ummm.... update im kind of interested in the Behringer tube composer T1952.
Jul 17, 2006 11:20 am 1. yes and no depending on the quality of gear...in your situation, i think a better preamp will give you less noize. check out the ART VLA "Pro Channel Strip" this thing is hause!
2. channels on a compressor just mean, you can feed it two seperate *different* signals, and it'll treat them seperately with different settings and what not, now what you send to it, is up to you, as far as what it compresses.
3. i've had a 3630 and after using it a handfull of times, i realized it wasn't really helping me much atall *as far as quality goes* so i quit using it as a front end and it only gets used for live gigs. i'd save just a bit more cash and look into the 'workhorse' type compressors which are at the next price point $150-$300 range....here you'll get alot better quality and you won't have to replace them for some time. look into the DBX 166, FMR RNC, ART VLA (toob)...any of those will most definately be a good purchase, and i'm not above gettin' 'em used, as they are built like tanks...these are like the SM-57 of compressors.
4. sure will, although i'd just stick with a good plugin if ya got one.
cheers
wyd
Jul 17, 2006 11:25 am I'm no expert on outboard compressors but I may be able to at least partially answer your questions.
Quote:
1. The compressor will help me raise my signals wihtout noise right? or will i still need a more dedicated preamp?
If there is noise in your signal, higher compression settings will actually make it more pronounced. You'll just be making the louder parts quieter, so the loud parts will be less likely to clip your inputs.
Quote:
2. i dont understand how compressors have channels, if i hook it up to my mixer through the AUX and it has one channel, does tha tmean i can only put one instrument through it? or will i just run all my signals through the one setting on it.?
With a dynamic effect like compression, the channel inserts are the ideal way to hook it up into your signal chain. 100% of your signal should pass through the compressor or else you'll defeat the purpose.
But as for the number of channels on the unit, yes each channel will be for 1 track. With a 2-channel compressor you can put 2 tracks thru it at once (assuming that its not just a stereo compressor like the FMR RNC).
Quote:
3. im looking at the Alesis 3630 Dual-Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate, which is in my price range, anythign more than 150 dollras is out of the question for me. is this an ok unit?
Hehe, funny you should mention that particular unit. I've never actually read anything positive about that unit. I think its the total entry-level compressor. It does the things that a compressor should do, but not particularly well. For home recording its probably not all that bad but I'm sure that there are better units to set your sights on.
Quote:
4. My compressor will work both for my recording and my mastering as well right?
I've never used outboard gear to do any mastering so I'm not sure. If you actually want to add another A/D converson to your process then sure it should work.
Jul 17, 2006 05:09 pm Yep, I 'll jsut add on that last part. These days I never send the signal out again once its in. There are very few exceptions to this, and getting fewer by the day.
I honestly would stick with a puggin compresor for the mastering of the recording as you will have much more control, and much less signal degradation.
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