rack compressor...

[swankfrank6]

so i have $200 to spend at musiciansfriend and other than strings there is not one thing i can think about buying. i just finished up building my rack and was thinking about putting something else in it. right now i have a GK 700rb-II, furman power conditioner (couldn't even begin to tell you which one, they all pretty much have the same name) and a korg tuner.
also i'd like to have a compressor for recording purposes.
any one know of a compressor for around $200 that is worth buying it for free?

 

[steve66]

I use the dbx 166xl in my rack for compression. It has a limiter and gate also which I havent used. MF has them for 259.00

 

[geeza]

Definitely. FMR Audio's RNC (Really Nice Compressor) 1773.
Right around $200. Here's a link to their website:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Eric Perry]

For a rack compressor, I'd personally look no further than a dbx unit. I use a 166XL and love it.

For god's sake, whatever you do, stay away from Alesis!!!

 

[bongomania]

Avoid the 266XL though, it's not up to dbx's usual quality standard.

 

[swankfrank6]

haha yeah i've heard some really bad things about Alesis.
i was thinking dbx or maybe bbe

the bbe has a built in Sonic Maximizer. but that really means nothing to me though

 

[swankfrank6]

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/dbx-166XL-Dual-Compressor-Limiter?sku=183548

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/BBE-MaxCom-DualChannel-Compressor?sku=180936

so maybe between those 2 ?

 

[bongomania]

The dbx is better-built, the BBE is more versatile.

 

[bongomania]

Just to put a couple other options out there, this one:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Joemeek-MC2-Stereo-Compressor?sku=187014
is very funky and colorful sounding, if you like that sort of thing, and this one:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ashly-CLX52-2Channel-Compressor-Limiter?sku=181022
is a bit more expensive than you wanted, but it absolutely smokes anything else in the price range.

 

[swankfrank6]

hmm i'd like for it to be rack mountable and $300 is a little to pricey.
versatile sounds pretty good though. same it doesn't come in stock for several months

 

[bongomania]

If you mean the BBE, they have one for cheaper in the scratch'n'dent section.

 

[Phat Ham]

Just to put a couple other options out there, this one:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Joemeek-MC2-Stereo-Compressor?sku=187014
is very funky and colorful sounding, if you like that sort of thing, and this one:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ashly-CLX52-2Channel-Compressor-Limiter?sku=181022
is a bit more expensive than you wanted, but it absolutely smokes anything else in the price range.

I have the Ashly in my rack and it is fantastic. Got it for about $200 used but I'm guessing you have to spend the money at MF and not somewhere else. Too bad MF doesn't carry the CLX-51 single channel version. Would probably be in your price range.