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I'm recording with Sonar and I'm using Waves L2 compressor for my vocals. I really like the sound I'm getting, except. I would like to be able to record at a little hotter level without having to worry about clipping. Since I don't have an outboard compressor I have to really dial in my input level so I can record at a decent level, and not clip. It's really a pain when I get a good cut and then realized I clipped somewhere in the mix.

I've been looking at the PreSonus Comp16 Single channel compressor. It has 16 presets and not a whole lot of versatility.

My question is...Have any of you used this compressor? It's only 130 bucks so I didn't know if it was even a decent peice of equipment.

Thanks

Isaac Mathews
http://www.myspace.com/isaacmathews

Comments

anonymous Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:24

I didnt use it but i got some review about it. which i post to justify is it best or not.

This is it!!
by H from San Jose, CA, July 2007
Music Background: Pro Musician, Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer

This product is awsome to say the least. Most people give it low review because of the lack of adjustable variables, but thats why it has the different presets. You are only supposed to use this unit to catch the signal where it peaks off at. This way you get a solid line of volume instead of peaking off at certain places. I have used this compressor and let me tell you, it will only sound as good as whats going into it. so if you have trash, it will sound like trash. The VTB-1 Will do just fine.

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK!!!!!!!
by G. B. Scott from Allentown, PA USA, February 2006

The audio quality of the Comp16 is simply incredible. I don't know alot about using a compressor, so the presets are really a big help. I might get a couple more Comp16's or maybe just move up to the ACP88. But I'll will surely keep the Comp16.

Stop the Screaming!
by B.Horner from Nashville, TN USA, January 2006

When you have a play by play and/or color analyst that can go from zero to 120 dB in 100 ms; it is impossible to ride gain to prevent "splatting." This is the answer. Go line out from your mixer to the input of the Comp 16, xlr out to your transmission device and your problem is solved. I set mine for vocal 2 and about 11 o'clock in and 12 o'clock out. Where were you years ago.

Superb!
by B. Pickard from Valdosta, GA, September 2005

Quick, Simple, and Effective. From out of the box to recorded acoustic track in less than 5 minutes. I use my Comp16 in conjunction with my TUBEPre and it makes a killer combination. As a studio engineer as well as FOH engineer, I would highly suggest this compressor!

Kev Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:11

using the L2 on vocals is an interesting choice
it's a multiband comp/limiter
but if you like it then, keep using it

I prefer things like the LA2 and other transistor optos
the Presonus16 may be a good choice for a cheap relatively good sounding unit with presets
and like the RNC , is trying to do the work for you

with 24bit recording you have the headroom to just lower the input gain
the signal to noise ration is probably better in the digital domain than it is in a badly set analog comp

otherwise a simple Limiter on the front end of the interface may cure your occasional clips

I think Apogee may something
NO WAIT
perhaps PRISM

http://www.prismsound.com/music_recording/products_subs/overkiller.php

other companies have similar products
these can be trimmed or supplied to suit YOUR interface

moonbaby Thu, 11/05/2009 - 13:00

I have a Blue Max, one of Presonus's first products. It is a preset-based box, and I still use it ocassionally, alongside my many other comps (usually as a live stereo processor for pre-recorded tracks). It works OK,
but not as well as the RNC or dbx 166 units I have now. That particular line of newer Presonus boxes that the 16 is part of is not known to be a very good quality. Lots of complaints of noise and lack of headroom.
I would think that the L2 would give you much better processing. If you want a hardware compressor/limiter, consider the FMR RNC, it's a real steal.
BTW, be wary of the "reviews" posted on that 16 box. You have no basis for comparison as to who these reviewers are ortheir experience.

jg49 Thu, 11/05/2009 - 14:33

You gotta love the reviews that either the manufacturer posts or even the various dealers. At least half of them immediately bring into question the reviewers backgrounds such as (from above.)
"Most people give it low review because of the lack of adjustable variables, but thats why it has the different presets." Wow it has presets, so its point and shoot, cause I don't know how to focus.
"I don't know alot about using a compressor, so the presets are really a big help." Doesn't know about compressors but this one is awesome!
"From out of the box to recorded acoustic track in less than 5 minutes." How hard is it to hookup a compressor? Five minutes should do the trick with just about any compressor, though it could take at least two more to set it.
I'm just using this as an example because I see it all the time. Do you think they are going to post reviews that say it isn't the greatest thing since cornbread, man I do love fresh cornbread though.

anonymous Fri, 11/06/2009 - 16:15

Thanks for the help guys. I agree about the reviews...I've read tons of them and never really believe them for some reason. At this point I'm still just lowering the input volume to make sure not to clip. But with my FP 10 when I bring down the level It makes hearing the vocals during monitering somewhat difficult. I have since bought a headphone amp that has pretty much fixed the issue.

Also I have realized that I have been recording my instruments a little hot so it made it alot harder to get the vocal level above the mix without clipping.