Need to find a good rack compressor...

[shirtforbrains]

Any ideas on what I should use. Thanks again...

How much experience do you have with compressors?

What do you need if for?

Here are my suggestions for bass guitar and recording:

FMR Audio:
RNLA7239 (Really Nice Leveling Amp),
RNC1773 (Really Nice Compressor)

These are nearly the least expensive, yet compare to some very expensive units.

Great quote from the FMR Audio website:

"You know, it's really true: talking about audio is like dancing about architecture!"

http://www.fmraudio.com/index.htm



There is an Alesis (I forget the model #... 3630?) for $99 new, and even less used, with some mods available online... It's fine for beginners, and quite usable for bass. The built in Noise Gates alone are worth the price of admission.

Of course, you could get snobby about your gear and spend spend spend!! If you begin with the Alesis, and use it long enough to learn how to use it, and can identify it's sonic signature, THEN you MIGHT want to upgrade to something else. However, IME/IMO, it is as good as any bass amp's built-in comp, if used appropriately, and sparingly.

That said, if it were for me, I'd start with the FMR RNLA7239 (Really Nice Leveling Amp). It has "color" ("thick and gooey") that sounds good with bass and vocals. In fact, it's good enough, you might never find anything better at any price! YMMV, of course.

I forgot about the JoeMeek comps... They are great for bass and vocals too. More money than the FMR comps, and different sonic sig. But still well thought of.

Also forgot to say, if resale is a concern, forget the Alesis.

[adam on bass]

DBX 160, simple, efficient and clean

[kosmicwizard]

Thanks for the info on JoeMeek, never heard of his stuff before.

[mralex]

Originally Posted by tifftunes

...
There is an Alesis (I forget the model #... 3630?) for $99 new, and even less used, with some mods available online... It's fine for beginners, and quite usable for bass. The built in Noise Gates alone are worth the price of admission.
...

Your right on the Alesis # 3630, i personally really like it, i haven't tried very many Rack compressors, however this one is the best i found for the money, the noise gate is definatly worth it for sure!

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by adam on bass

DBX 160, simple, efficient and clean

+1.

I swear by the dbx 160A. Currently have a 163x (1/2 rack) in my board because my 160A is too good to be taken outside of the studio!!

[bassman1185]

Symetrix 501, if you can find one. I love mine.

[duderasta]

another + for dbx, my leveling amp is an ART pro VLA also a good unit

[basswave]

DBX 166

I love it...So much I have 2.

[bigblondeafro87]

DBX 166XL, very professional sounding

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by giacomini

+1.

I swear by the dbx 160A. Currently have a 163x (1/2 rack) in my board because my 160A is too good to be taken outside of the studio!!

I bought a 163x on eBay because I didn't want to spend a lot of money and I don't need a lot of features. I just wanted a good, transparent compressor. It does the job and doesn't mess with my tone or attack. I leave it on all the time. I know you never say never if you are a gear head, but I do not foresee the "need" to get anything else.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by basswave

DBX 166

I love it...So much I have 2.

I bought one a couple years back for our FOH rig, never used it, and just recently stuck in my bass rig. As suggested by a fellow TBer, I use the auto-comp mode with a 4:1 ratio. The Over-Easy mode smoothes things out but can also blunt the front-end attack. I don't use the Contour as I like the low-end compression. Like to hear how others are configuring their settings.

FWIW, I'm seeing these go on E-bay for $80-120 use.

Riis

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by mralex

Your right on the Alesis # 3630, i personally really like it, i haven't tried very many Rack compressors, however this one is the best i found for the money, the noise gate is definatly worth it for sure!

Yup, the gate works ... as long as you don't mind the distortion and clicky artifacts. It didn't get the nickname "Dirty-six-dirty" for nothin'. I use it in my drum sub-mix. No worries about artifacts in sustained notes.

My bass rig and PA both use dbx 166XL's.

[sonic assassin]

how much cash do you have?

distresser

[Amokoma]

Tube-tech!

[meatwad]

I like the alesis nanocompressor for bass. Works great in an fx loop, and does well for simulating that power tube "sag" in a hybrid head (SVT-III PRO). 4:1 is a pretty decent ratio, then a medium attack and fast release is how I usually approach compression, for starters.

[JohnDavisNYC]

i own a lot of great compressors... as far as rack mount compressors go for bass, the dbx160a or x or xt are all a great choice for light compression... they can kinda get pinched sounding when they go into heavy gain reduction on bass...

since you didn't mention price it's a little hard to know when to stop in the rec's... a symmetrix 501 is a good cheap option.

i really like the Daking FET II compressor, it's got an 1176 vibe, but with some cool auto-release settings.

an 1176 is great, but most likely some something you would want to bring to gigs... that also goes for stuff like the Federal AM864/U and Gates Sta-Level...

I would go with the 160a or x or xt... then if i needed more control, i'd go for either a 501 or a Distressor (for the flexibility... not a big fan of the sound of those, though)..

john

[bassguppy]

Ashly