Rack compression

Medford Bassman · #1 10-18-2011, 10:58 PM

Looking for a decent rack compressor for kick an my bass. Any reasonably priced recommendations?

FretlessMainly · #2 10-18-2011, 11:17 PM

I've had an Alesis 3630 in my rack for 19 or 20 years. I believe that I paid about $200 new back in 1991 or 92. Quiet, sensitive - it's not a particularly high-end piece of gear, but it does have some nice features:

1. Both input and output linear LED displays that include compression/reduction.
2. Stereo functionality (although one channel went dead on me about 10 years ago - still going on the second channel).
3. Ability to use a stereo/mono cable to use for ducking and/or limiting.

It's all I need and more. It's very sensitive and flexible. I don't know if it's still made, however.

lowfreq33 · #3 10-18-2011, 11:28 PM

The general complaint about the 3630 is that it's really obvious when the compression kicks in.

I'd go ahead and get a dbx, either 166 or 266. Not much more money, much cleaner sound. All the same features as the Alesis.

FretlessMainly · #4 10-18-2011, 11:54 PM

I have a dbx 166xl in my secondary rig (my RIC-o-Sound stereo rig, or coffee house rig), and it does not have the same features as my Alesis.

1. It does not have a horizontal LED disply of both input/output levels along with compression/reduction. It only displays compression/reduction and input clip. The ALesis input/output horizontal displays have been invaluble to me for defining pickup pole/string imbalances and how to adjust pickups to achieve nearly perfect string balance on all of my basses. The dbx cannot do this.

2. the dbx 166xl is noisy - there is audible static when the noise gate flows in - very annoying. Granted; other than that the noise gate is better than the Alesis (which is choppy at the cut-off), but the static is off-putting.

While I would agree that the Alesis can be "obvious," when it kicks in, I would argue that careful tweaking of the attack/delay, hard/soft knee, and other features can reduce this drawback.

enricogaletta · #5 10-19-2011, 12:53 AM

I will recommend some old TLA Audio compressor, they are pretty good for the range quality/price, you should look for some used Fat1. Pretty versatile.
Cheers. Enrico
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lowfreq33 · #6 10-19-2011, 01:16 AM

On the plus side, the Alesis is pretty much the only useable $99 compressor out there, and they are quite reliable. There is a mod that can improve the transparency and noise floor, but you lose the ability to sidechain to another source.

bongomania · #7 10-19-2011, 01:47 AM

If you keep a sharp eye on Ebay you can find an older Symetrix, Aphex, dbx, or Rane rack unit for not much more than $100, and it will sound far, far better than the Alesis "dirty six dirty". And actually the one Behringer rack unit I tested was also a lot cleaner-sounding than the Alesis, and those are way cheap too.

Since the OP didn't mention a price restriction though, there may be no need to suggest he drag around a lower-grade comp "just because it's cheap".

For rack units I usually recommend the Rane DC24, dbx 160X/XT and 166, Ashly CLX/DPX series, Symetrix 501, Aphex 661/651, JBL 7110, and FMR PBC-6A. The EL Distressor is pretty sweet too.

WayneP · #8 10-19-2011, 07:32 AM

What bongomania said. When it comes to compressors for bass, he’s the man!

(BTW, happy to see the dbx 160X I use on your “most recommended” list!)

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

projectMalamute · #9 10-19-2011, 09:05 AM

dbx 166, I have one of the old ones and a couple of the 166A's.

I like the old school one for bass amp but it doesn't have the release knob on the gate, which I wouldn't want to go without for kick drum.

I paid 75 bucks for the 166 and 200 bucks for 2 166A's and a 12 channel insert snake.

There are like a million of both of those units out there. Start calling anybody that does live sound and now owns a digital console, they probably have a few they aren't using. For the love of god don't buy that Alesis.

Medford Bassman · #10 10-19-2011, 10:06 AM

I found a DBX 266xs that I ordered. When it comes I'll be asking for some settings guides for bass and kick because I'm not real familiar with compressors.

projectMalamute · #11 10-19-2011, 10:16 AM

Dude, those things suck. Like, really bad. Seriously. I'll ride the gain on a kick drum all night long before I patch one of those things in. Absolutely, hands down, worse than no compression and gate at all. Can you cancel the order?

bongomania · #12 10-19-2011, 10:17 AM

Agreed!

Medford Bassman · #13 10-19-2011, 10:25 AM

what do you recommend that's affordable?

projectMalamute · #14 10-19-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medford Bassman

what do you recommend that's affordable?

?

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

dbx 166, I have one of the old ones and a couple of the 166A's.

I like the old school one for bass amp but it doesn't have the release knob on the gate, which I wouldn't want to go without for kick drum.

I paid 75 bucks for the 166 and 200 bucks for 2 166A's and a 12 channel insert snake.

There are like a million of both of those units out there. Start calling anybody that does live sound and now owns a digital console, they probably have a few they aren't using. For the love of god don't buy that Alesis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

If you keep a sharp eye on Ebay you can find an older Symetrix, Aphex, dbx, or Rane rack unit for not much more than $100, and it will sound far, far better than the Alesis "dirty six dirty". And actually the one Behringer rack unit I tested was also a lot cleaner-sounding than the Alesis, and those are way cheap too.

Since the OP didn't mention a price restriction though, there may be no need to suggest he drag around a lower-grade comp "just because it's cheap".

For rack units I usually recommend the Rane DC24, dbx 160X/XT and 166, Ashly CLX/DPX series, Symetrix 501, Aphex 661/651, JBL 7110, and FMR PBC-6A. The EL Distressor is pretty sweet too.

Medford Bassman · #15 10-19-2011, 10:30 AM

just looking for something new not off ebay

bongomania · #16 10-19-2011, 10:34 AM

What is your upper price limit?

gnjpowell · #17 10-19-2011, 10:34 AM

dbx 166 or 266. All gates can make bad noises when set incorrectly. Operator error, not an inherent problem with the unit or the technology.

bongomania · #18 10-19-2011, 10:36 AM

No, the 266 gate is inherently bad. I have owned dozens of gates, for comparison.

projectMalamute · #19 10-19-2011, 10:40 AM

Then be prepared to spend more money. Even brand new a 166(XS? whatever the new one is) is really, really cheap.

You will see experienced live sound guys who know what they are doing using them all the time. Maybe not first choice for making stuff sound amazing but a totally usable utility compressor. I can't think of anything cheaper you can say that about. Honestly, I can't think of anything much less than 3 or 4 times the price you can say that about.

The 160 is like 400 bucks for one channel, with no gate. That's probably the cheapest thing I can think of that is a substantial improvement over an old school 166.

Medford Bassman · #20 10-19-2011, 10:50 AM

Sorry all I'm confused. So is the DBX 266xs worth the $149 or not?

I'd really like to kepp it as low as possible.