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Compressor, reverb, gate/expander

Lindsay

Lindsay

Feb 11, 2008
542
16
Adelaide, Australia
#1
I've recently put together a sound system and, after a couple of shows, I'm quite happy with its performance, but would like to finish off the system before a few upcoming big shows.

As background the system consists of:

Mackie 2404 VLZ3 mixer
4 x stereo power amps
2 x 218 subs
6 x 115 mains (2 as monitors)
Behringer Feedback Destroyer for monitors (DSP1124p, from memory)
dbx 2 x 31 band EQ, also for monitors
dbx 2 x 2 way crossover (or processor to match speakers)
SM57s and SM58s
AGK Groove Pack drum mic set plus a SM57 on the snare

OK, so the question:

I'm interested in getting:

- a reverb unit (or multi-effect unit, if applicable),
- a two (or more?) channel compressor, and
- possibly a gate/expander.

Can you please provide me with some recommendations for these components?

I will have to track down the 230V versions in Asia for the models that are actually available over here, so that adds a minor layer of complexity (plus >$$).

I would like to compress the vocals (possibly as a group) as well as the kick drum, and I'd like a little more control than the on-board compressors offers.

I would like better reverb than is available on the desk on the vocals.

I can see the value in taming the drum mics, particularly on a smaller stage, via a gate.

Thanks :)
 
#2
For reverb very many places use a T.C. Electronics M-one ~$400 (usd)
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and for delay the D-two ~$500
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For comp/gate/limiter check out the Presonus ACP88. 8 channels in a 2U rack. It runs $900 but consider that as $112 per channel and it's not bad. You would need four dbx166xl at $200/each to cover the same amount of channels, plus it would be 4U, extra power cords, etc.

PreSonus


not sure about the 230v for any of this though.
 
#3
+1 to Walker's post, I'd add that the Samson S-Com 4 has worked well for me in the past for the tom mics and kick; four channels of comp and gate, and cheaper than the Presonus

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And you could pick up an old Alesis 'Dirty-six-dirty' for the vocals, it's not the best, but it's cheap and does the job well enough.
 
#5
The comps in the ACP88 aren't bad (especially if you put a cheap 15 band in the sidechain and kill everything below 1k), but the gates aren't as good as the Behringers.

The dbx1074 gates are said to be good, and the 1066 comps are pretty good. The Behringers are passable if that's all you can afford. I like the Rane G4 and C4, which are hard to find used but sell cheap when they pop up.

If you can live with one FX and one verb, the TC 300 series aren't bad at all. If you happen to run across a Kurzweil, snap it up (only one engine, but very smooth verbs).
 
#6
I just wanted to bump this thread to say that I picked up a TC Electronic M-One XL and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for the advice. :)

It detects the power supply (voltage and AC frequency) and switches to suit - very cool. This allowed me to buy secondhand from the US.

I've decided not to be too precious about gates for practical reasons. 3-4 bands a night play through the system and never at the same venue two nights in a row, so I just don't have time to get the gates right before the next band is on.

I've had access to various dbx compressors and I think I might spring for the 1066.

Next on my list: snakes. Any words of wisdom, pitfalls, recommendations?? Length, reel vs no reel, sends and returns bundled together, or not...

Cheers
 

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