Desert Island Compressor?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2002 10:03 am

I am currently in the market for a "high end compressor." Right now, I record everything into my DAW with no compression and do everything in the mix. I'd like to be able to get hotter signals into my workstation and also add a little bit of color before mixdown. This compressor would have to be one that would work well on many sources ranging from drums to vocals. I have considered several compressors but would like some input as I have not used most of these.

EL8 Distressor

1176LN

RNC

TLA-100 (summit audio)

Any others?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2002 12:44 pm

RNC is so cheap and versitile you just can't go wrong.

Distressor is a do it all modern classic.

1176 .. IS .. a classic.

Crane Song Trakker could be worth a look.

RNC is the only stereo unit in the group.

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2002 1:43 pm

You might also like to check out the following:

Drawmer 1960
Drawmer/Mercenary 1969
Manley Slam!

All of these units give you the benefit of also having a quality on board mic pre, which in the case of the Drawmer/Mercenary thangs you can either use or by-pass. Plus the Drawmers are Mono/Stereo units giving additional flexibility.

And yes, the 1176LN IS a classic!
Empirical Labs Distressor has a good rep for providing a versatile quality comp.
And the Avalon Ad 2044...also looks gorgeus as well!!!

Kind regards

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 9:10 pm

Hi! I know this post is late but I just joined. My desert island compressor is something I've used but will likely never be able to afford- the
Fairchild 670. It has a distinct "tube" sound like no other item on earth.(Note that I own and use an Eclair Evil Twin, 2-Tube-Tech CL1Bs, 2-Tube-tech PE-1Cs and a Manley Voxbox).
The Fairchild 670 sounds great on everything as far as I'm concerned-"Fairy-Dust" as it's owner puts it. It's creamy in the mids and lows, glisten-y in the highs and manages lovely dynamic control, without murdering drum transients.
-John

Respected Past Moderator Joined: Mar 13, 2001 Posts: 1256

One compressor only? hmmm. well then I'd pick a neve33609 (or one of the variants). You get two channels that do it all, + limiters. If I could pick two...it could be a pair of 1176's or even a pair of the TLA100's ...i'd work with any of the above (or whatever's in the room anyway)
Fairchild670? if it's a good one maybe for the secod compressor. Not quite as versatle for me as I'd like my desert Island compressor to be. Some sound out of this world, some aound....next.....

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 6:49 am

manley veri-mu . without a doubt. you are probably not going to get a 670 ( $20,000) . get that and a RNC ( if you need super fast compression )

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 11:18 pm

I'll agree that a Fairchild 660 or 670 would be my desert island compressor (do they electricity on the island?)

but barring that unrealistic recommendation (unless you're rolling in loads o'money)...
the one compressor that i could do ANYTING with is the Geoff Daking.
it's versatile enough for a vocal, drums, guitars, pianos or the whole mix if so inclinced.
That's more than i can say about ANY of the others mentionned above, in my opinion.

I would never run an entire mix through an 1176 and i think the Manley is too squishy for vocals.
The distressor is a real "effect" compressor, not something i would want ALL the time, and the Sumit is a poor man's La2a (again, not my first choice for a vocal or a mix but nice on guitars).

The Daking is transparent if you want it, and capable of real squash if you want that, but with a REALLY high quality, Class-A signal path that won't do any sonic damage.
It even emulates Fairchild release times!

the RNC is a good deal but simply not in the league with the others.

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2003 12:33 am

My personal favorite is the Manley EL OP.. an LA 2a on steriods according to EveAnna Manley. Probably not the worlds best 2 buss comp but these days most are in the box anyhoo ... Probably going to use a plug in there. I like the EL OP as it is very reliable and simple to use, a reduction knob and a gain knob.. it's stereo too.

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2003 2:53 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by abraham:
I am currently in the market for a "high end compressor." Right now, I record everything into my DAW with no compression and do everything in the mix. I'd like to be able to get hotter signals into my workstation and also add a little bit of color before mixdown. This compressor would have to be one that would work well on many sources ranging from drums to vocals. I have considered several compressors but would like some input as I have not used most of these.

EL8 Distressor

1176LN

RNC

TLA-100 (summit audio)

Any others?

Have you looked at the Pendulum Audio gear? Incredible stuff. Not mentioned around this group very much.

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2003 1:50 pm

Tough choice. For me it would be half to be flexable enough to be a real tracking and mixing workhorse so that narrows it down to the Manley Vari-Mu, dbx 160SL or TC DBmax. In fact those are my desert island comps. One tube, one solid state, one digital.

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:14 pm

If i had to pick up one only I will choose the
Sintefex CX 2000 without a doubt.

All in one (even the 670) for 2000$ !

SINTEFEX REPLICATOR SERIES

Regards,

Salvator

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