Is this for a 'live' thing or recording? I don't believe I've ever met a compressor with a gate in it that I'd suggest for drums, with the possible exception of the ADR "Compex"...which will run you significantly more than $500-$1000.

I'm also not a big fan of compressing drums unless the drummer is very inconsistent. If you're trying to achieve that 'big drum' sound, try examining the acoustics of your 'recording' room, the drum kit, and of course the drummer.

I have a feeling that if you get those to be pretty decent, while you might want some compression on "room mics", you'll find it unnecessary for 'kick' and 'snare'.

Best of luck.

Hi Fletcher,

I am looking for a compressor for recording. Actually I couldn't really imaging an adequate drumsound (at least for my uses) without compression and heavy EQing. Usually I compress the shit out of the room mics as well as using heavy compression on kick/snare and mild compression on Overheads for making the cymbals sound longer and richer...
I am recording alot of "extreme" Rock/Metal stuff with down-tuned heavily distorted guitars, lots of fast drumming etc... The drumkit wouldn't have a chance against the rest without compression...

Is the Compounder any good?? It has some build in gates (Expander Gates I think). As well as that particular Drawmer unit, which name I can't remember.

Comments welcome.

Markus

Originally posted by UTS:

The Compounder is OK for what it is. I saw a used one a few weeks ago for $300 and I was tempted to pick it up. If you dig around you'll be able to pick up a used Aphex Expressor or Symetrix 501 for under $300 each. They're both single channel units with no gate but they'll be better then most of the other stuff you'll find. Also, you can't go wrong with a dbx 160 of some type, the X and XT are the affordable ones at around $250-300 used. If you feel like blowing your wad on one piece you could get the 160VU and a single channel runs around $800.

I've never come across a gate in a compressor that I thought was really useful. Get a couple of dedicated gates like the DS201's and you'll much happier.

Check into a Distressor or two. It's able to get lots of different tones with a few tweaks of the knobs... I particularly like the DBX 160 emulation on kick and snare... Makes me want to buy a DBX 160 . The Distressor is super versatile and can really shape your sounds. I've just recently purchased one and have remixed a few tunes using it on various tracks and 9 times out of 10 I improve the tones so much that I can even eliminate the eq that was on those tracks completely.

Hi,

thanks for the replies. Yeah. I had an eye on both Distressor and FATSO by Empirical Labs. But I guess they both have to wait a little (I am sure anyhow to purchase them next year). I guess the DBX 160 will be my choice this time. You can get em pretty cheap used so I will get two of them. Thanks again for the tips.

See you.

Markus

Wow... no one mentioned the RNC... strange...

By the way, 2 RNC's in the cool little Mercenary rack for like $500 or so. Check thier site...

Hello,

I already own two RNC's (ordered them a year ago or such). Very nice units. Clean and transparent as advertised. I am mainly using them for Subgroups or the main bus though. I want to have something with a little more character for Kick/Snare.

See you,

Markus

Check out Electronic Musicians' article on "Squeeze boxes" it talks a bit about drum compression particularly with the lower cost units (Feb. 2001).

How about the API 225L compressor? API...less than $600. Can you say a steal? You'll need to get the 200H 4 space verticle rack minimum though. Still its a great deal and it is API, which IMO is some of THE best stuff around.

Regards,
Nathan Eldred
Atlas Pro Audio, Inc.
http://www.atlasproaudio.com

How come I never see anything today about the ADR "Compex"? I always thought it was great.

Markus, be careful, as all DBX160s are not created equal. I'm guessing that, if the distressor has a "160" preset is likely referencing the DBX 160(VU) which is a whole different animal than the more recent 160x. I can certainly recommend the 160VU but am much less excited about using the 160x on drums.

Bill http://www.GigaBoyAV.com

I use a Helios 760. I think it is the same as the ADR compex. but I dunno.
I love them. the can be very subtle or they can really "kill" your signal.
I often use them on mixes as well.
they are kinda hard to find but are worth the search for sure. I often grab for them first if I'm not using my Telefunken U73's.
Mike :D

Originally posted by miketholen:
I use a Helios 760. I think it is the same as the ADR compex. but I dunno.
I love them. the can be very subtle or they can really "kill" your signal.
I often use them on mixes as well.
they are kinda hard to find but are worth the search for sure. I often grab for them first if I'm not using my Telefunken U73's.

Meanwhile, UTS originally wrote:

Two channels would be fine, an included gate wouldn't hurt either and the price tag should be around 500-1000$. I don't care if it's new or used.

So I'm just curious Mike...exactly where did you find the Helios 760 or the U-73's in good working order for $500-$1,000 USD? A pair of any of the units you listed, unless they're quite fucked up and in dire need of repair will run significantly more that $500-$1,000 USD.

So, if you wouldn't mind putting your 'vintage gear pecker' back in your Simpson's boxer shorts where it belongs...and try answering the guy's original question...you might find yourself quasi-useful around here.
Other than that, all I've found you to be is a braggart asshole with a marginal collection of cool old shit. Answer the question, or shut the fuck up. Is that too difficult a concept?

Mr Feltcher wrote:
Answer the question, or shut the fuck up. Is that too difficult a concept?
I was simply commenting on a comment made by Bob Ohlsson about the ADR Compex. He asked why he doesn't hear about them anymore and I resonded by saying that I use a Helios 760 and I thought that the ADR was the same type of thing.. Sorry , Dude.
Is Bob wrong for commenting on this unit? :(
Call him a Dick too then.

Old vintage gear is all I have with the exception of a few Distressors,Studer A827, and some patchbays So I can't comment on anything else.

I was extactic that someone actually commented and wanted to know why noone uses this stuff. So I decided to post with my findings on this unit.

gotta go, Meanwhile Feltcher-
GO FUCK YOUR MOTHER. :D :D :D :D :D And suck up to drawmer a little more, you seem good for the job. a shit job that is...
:D

"Was it a millionaire who said Imagine no possessions" (The real Elvis Costello) Just thought I'd add something that made no sence to this topic other than tying in the whole Telefunken-Beatle thing. Actually I think they used a Fairchild on Ringo's drums.

Someone posted earlier that a DBX160X was not that great on drums, I beg to differ. The 160X are great on some kicks and snares(sticks and rimshots also). Also they have been known to tame a bass or two. I think they are one of the best buys around($150-$350). Sure they are not as versatile as a Distressor(what is?), but I've done a lot of mixing sessions where just having them around saved the day. In a pinch the 163X also works as well as a DBX166(not the 166a).

Mike, you do come off as a prick and you don't answer people's questions even remotely close to the target. So, get off of Fletcher's back and any other engineer who happens to sell gear for a living (including myself). It's either us or Guitar Mart...what would you prefer? What the hell is wrong with you, do you think western industry should have grinded to a halt in 1975? Why do you think only vintage gear is worthy of being used? Be a man Mike, or is that against your nature?

Regards,
Nathan Eldred
Atlas Pro Audio, Inc.
http://www.atlasproaudio.com

Funny, I noticed that some guy that made the first response to 'UTS's inquiry mentioned something about an 'ADR Compex', but that it was probably over his budget.

Somehow, I figured that Bob was referring to that reference when he asked why so few people discussed them anymore. Anyway you look at it they don't have anything to do with a Helios 760. Nada, zilch, zippo, nothing.

Sorry for rambling last time, I tend to do that when I've had a couple beers. Anyway, I can't say I've tried these but I read tons of reviews, and the HHB Fatman ($400) got an excellent review in Pro Audio (I think) for drums particularly(suppose to be real warm). Also, The E.Musicians article I talked about earlier, suggested that the JoeMeek stuff ($300-600 stuff made some real nice sounds on snare and bass drum) Again, these are only things I've read and I have personally not tried either so take them for what you wish to. Sorry, for mentioning such lower priced stuff in this forum you guys but I'm just trying to answer the original question.

I've got a pair of DBX 163X's that surprise me occasionally, especially on snare drum- you can usually find them around $50 each. Worthwhile little half rack, one-slider thingies. I don't think they'd be all that good for any sort of normal kick drum sound, though.

Hello guys,

thanks for the load of posts, which showed me a couple of good directions. Actually I have rethought about purchasing the DBX 160. I figured out it has no Attack/Release Controls (correct me if I am wrong). I often "form" percussive sounds with these controls so they really wouldn't be first choice. The API's sound very interesting - though very hard to get in Europe. Joe Meek sounds also like an interesting alternative. Had the chance to test and SC2 a couple of weeks ago - very rock'n'roll!
Coldsnow, what's wrong talking about gear that may not cost a fortune but delivers the goods nevertheless? I think, we all would love to work with Avalon,Manley, Neves exclusively but owning a medium sized underground studio I just can't afford them for now, so I search for good, cheaper alternatives and don't feel sorry for that in any way. You americans seem to be obsessed about brandnames, really...

See you,

Markus

Actually, I couldn't agree more. I have a very little amount of high priced gear but most of my stuff is middle line as well and I am very happy with it. I made that comment because few weeks ago, on this forum, I asked about Joemeek, Art etc. and got blasted by the gearsnobs for daring to bring them up. By the way I think HHB goes by TL audio in England.

Actually, I'd like to own both pieces. Good luck, Mike.

Hey Mike-

I have one of the TL Audio C-1's. Eh...not too thrilling to me after almost a year of monkeying with it. Might be different than the Fat Man but same company....

You ever wanna check it out - I'm up in Cleveland. Isn't Mogadore near here?

Peace.

PS- oh... and no es bueno on kick and snare to me at all. i found mine for 850 bucks used.

Hey UTS,

A pair of DBX160(VU) compressors are more than $500-$1000. In your earlier post, that was the range you were looking to spend. If you can afford a pair, than the better buy would be a Distressor and a 160X. It will be probably about the same cost($1600). The Distressor is probably the most versatile compressor out right now(probably the most versatile is a Neve 32264a, but that's way beyond your price point). While the DBX160(VU's) are great compressors(acoustic guitars,some vocals,certain kicks and snares, and sometimes bass), my opinion is you'll get a more bang for your buck with the latter purchase I mentioned.
Just an opinion.

see if you can swing a distressor for a higher end sound. the joe meek is very colorful. i have even used a ZOOM 9000 guitar digibox on a snare once for its compressor. play with some and see if they do what you like. fuck the gear snobbery. use anything that will allow you to accomplish your goal.

and the hhb [tlaudio] are very "soft" compressors TME, dont do what i like for transient stuff. they can do nice sounds on guitars though. i can make those RNC's work really well for drums though, i never insert comps on drums, only mult. shitty drummers need not apply.

Originally posted by alphajerk:

i can make those RNC's work really well for drums though, i never insert comps on drums, only mult. shitty drummers need not apply.

Well, shitty drummers not applying would be nice, but sometimes you have to work with what walks in the door.... :)

i meant shitty drummers need not apply to that statement but wouldnt it be wonderful if they didnt walk in the door? [although there are a few drummers i wont let in my studio any longer]

shitty drummers i more than not either have to be VERY creative on how they are mixed in [meaning not the usualy placement in the mix] or insert a compressor inline.

actually that is the one place i highly recommend the use of sound replacer. at least you get consistant velocity/tone...

UTS,

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Aphex Expressor. Variable attack/release, SPR (lo-frequency phase switch) and it also has a switchable hi-frequency make-up gain circuit (with selectable frequency) that adds sparkle back into a track that is dulled by compression. Very versatile for kick and snare at about $450 new (1 channel) and I've seen them around used in the low $200's (US). It has character, a little snappier tone-wise than the 160x series.

RP

Yeah, I just tracked a guy for a short demo yesterday who is a decent drummer in a lot of ways, but is ALL OVER THE MAP when it comes to kick drum levels. First guy I've had in a while that makes me want to figure out a way to trigger. It's crazy- I stuck a compressor on the kick, and even with 3-6 dB of gain reduction on many hits, he's got an 8-10 dB swing and a HUGE tonal variation. Gonna be fun....

Sound Replacer is PT specific, right?

Originally posted by alphajerk:
i meant shitty drummers need not apply to that statement but wouldnt it be wonderful if they didnt walk in the door? [although there are a few drummers i wont let in my studio any longer]

actually that is the one place i highly recommend the use of sound replacer. at least you get consistant velocity/tone...

Originally posted by UTS:
Hello guys,

thanks for the load of posts, which showed me a couple of good directions. Actually I have rethought about purchasing the DBX 160. I figured out it has no Attack/Release Controls (correct me if I am wrong). I often "form" percussive sounds with these controls so they really wouldn't be first choice. Markus

Actually I see the lack of attack and release controls on the DBX160's as a blessing. Hey, it doesn't work on everything but what it does work on it does very well. I really like em on kick and sometimes snare. I've been leaning towards a DBX160XT on snare recently and it's worked out nicely in most cases. They're definitely not transparent sounding but they sound great in certain applications where you want that paticular coloration.

If you're looking for a more flexable box definitely check out the EL-8 Distressor. It does many things quite well, almost like a swiss army knife type of thing.

Distressors are awesome on drums. Period. Add a 160 for the wet fish kick drum sound and you're there.
One of my fave tricks for the distressor is to run a bus of kick, sn, sometimes OH's and bass and blend it's squashed splendor in to glue the rhythm section together and provide a foundation in Mono.

Originally posted by Jon Best:

I think so... if you can use DirectX, I've heard good things about http://www.drumagog.com/

Regards,

Graham

soundreplacer is an AudioSuite plug. you can run it on Peak also, or you can run it on the free version of PT and import the track into whatever DAW you use.

Ah. Oh well, I'm in Digital Performer when I'm digital- I am sure there's something similar out there, and at some point I may go find it...

Originally posted by alphajerk:
soundreplacer is an AudioSuite plug. you can run it on Peak also, or you can run it on the free version of PT and import the track into whatever DAW you use.

im in DP also, just run it off Peak [which is free] and import it into the session. but i know what you mean, i wish Motu would get their own version of it or allow SR to be used as a premiere plug or with MAS so you can just do it within DP.

UTS-

you can find API stuff at FunkyJunk http://www.funkyjunk.co.uk

I believe they've got a sales rep in F'kfurt.

'Tchuss

Paul