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rack compressors

#2
I use the dbx 160a compressor. best compressor i've used. what the compressor does is compress your signal down, so instead of you're signal being a foot tall it'd be six inches tall (if that makes sense). once the signal is compressed then you can turn your volume up which decreases you're signal to floor ratio, which leads to less speaker hiss.
 
#4
Check out the BBE MaxCom. Can be had for around $200.00 and I love mine. 2 channels and each channel features a sonic maximizer.

For reference, my other rack setup features an old dbx 262, which is a good compressor, but it isn't as transparent as the BBE.
 
#5
that looks really good. i think its funny how they have sonic maximizers built in on a bunch of there units for like 200 but then they have the compressors for like 150 and the maxamizer for another 150. i guess there a bit more specific on there own
 
#6
MarkMyWordsXx said:
that looks really good. i think its funny how they have sonic maximizers built in on a bunch of there units for like 200 but then they have the compressors for like 150 and the maxamizer for another 150. i guess there a bit more specific on there own
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The built-in Sonic Maximizers on those MaxComs are great, too. They aren't "skimpy" versions, at least IMHO.

If I were looking at buying a new rack compressor, I'd go straight for another one of those.
 
#9
MarkMyWordsXx said:
...im just asking whatthe difference between say the dbx 160a, and a cheep behrenger one
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You know, sometimes you get what you pay for. I think some of dbx's gear is pretty well made, and a lot of it is industry-standard and had lasted for decades. Same with Rane. I don't know if you'd hear a difference between them and the Behringer, but a dbx or Rane will probably last longer and have better resale value.

Also, +1 on the MaxCom- although the construction quality is no better than Behringer, the sound quality per dollar is great.
 
#10
I use a Behringer Autocom Pro. I like it fairly well.

I also don't have any other unit to compare it to, so I don't know how good it is relative to others. Maybe it is actually a piece of junk!

The only other compression I've used was an old DOD pedal years ago, and the compression on some Ibanez multieffect. I didn't do a side by side, but from memory, the Behringer is a lot better than either of those, both of which added a lot of noise and did not have all of the adjustable parameters.

There have been a lot of compressor reviews, but none that I have seen compare the Behringer units to anything else. I know "because it's Behringer" a lot of people around here will not give it a second thought, or else they just immediately say it is crap. I wish one of those rich gearheads would actually do a side by side with some of the other units!

Considering I got it for $50 new when they were blowing them out at zzounds.com, I figured I'd give it a shot. I think they go for more than that normally. It is still working a year and a half later.
 
#11
They are both out of production now, but I have an ART Dual Levelar that provides a very nice fat compression, and has very sensible control layout. It goes anywhere between $150 and $175. Although it's not a rack unit, the single "Levelar" goes around $50.

Another good one that is out of production is the Aphex easyrider tubessence series comps models 106/108. One is a dual channel processor (108) and the other (106) is a 4 channel compressor. Both have a very simple control layout, and provide a very smooth and punchy compression. These can be found for anywhere between $105 and $150 used. I've used both the ART and Aphex. If you want warm and fat, try the ART . . .if you want more transparency and punch, try the Aphex. The only downfall with the Aphex's are the wallwarts.
 
#18
you CAN hear the difference between a dbx and a behringer. As with all gear, compressors have different standards, and behringers can suck, bend and warp your tone so you sound dull and lifeless... whilst a better unit can apply the same amount of compression and be as transparent as you like!

Try some different models, but I would recommend saving the extra money and buying something better than the cheap stuff.
 
#19
avast_bass said:
you CAN hear the difference between a dbx and a behringer. As with all gear, compressors have different standards, and behringers can suck, bend and warp your tone so you sound dull and lifeless... whilst a better unit can apply the same amount of compression and be as transparent as you like!

Try some different models, but I would recommend saving the extra money and buying something better than the cheap stuff.
Click to expand...

What if I can get a used DBX for under $50? What would you say to that?
 

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