Hi all--

First post, so hello.

I just got rid of my dbx 286A which got replaced by a used Joemeek VC1Qcs and a new RNC. I wanted more control over the compression for guitars, and vocal tracking.

So what compressor and/or limiter do you guys generally use on a stereo drum bus, regardless on the style of music?

Which for a more "budget" focus?
Which when $$$$ is not much of a big concern?

I know that the RNC compressor from FMC has a huge (almost) cult following, and is considered "the steal" of the industry.

I just bought a Really Nice Compressor. I want to use it with my Studio Projects VTB-1 mic preamp.

The RNC instructions say:
Hooking up the RNC to balanced lines with TRS 1/4" plugs will not work! If the equipment you are connecting the RNC to is balanced, you must first unbalance it and only connect into the RNC with TR 1/4" plugs.

What can these be used for?
What is their best use?
How do you wire one of these up to a console?
If you're wiring one to a patchbay, how?
The thing just has screws on the back?
How to use it?
Are they really desirable? If decide to get rid of this one would it be terribly difficult and how much?

Not too sure if this post belongs here, but I just thought of something that always gives me trouble when trying to help folks out.

I recently did a couple of live sound gigs for a local band who has decided to bring in a friend of theirs to do sound. They've asked me to come give him a few pointers, as he's being trained "from the ground up." (sounds like a recipe for disaster)

I just built a P4 system around an MSI 645E-MAX for somebody as a high performance gaming rig. This is one smooth mobo. Excellent bios control. In combo with Mushkin PC2400 2-3-3 DDR, and a Western Digital special edition 80GB 7200rpm 8meg buffered drive, I have to say, performance seemed very brisk. I'm going to build another for myself with this $85 mobo as a DAW and see how it compares.

Ok, so the Manley Slam is definitely not in my immediate future.

Moving on, I still need (I think) ELOPs for vocals and some 2-bus stuff as well as something faster for pop and rock mixes.

I'm considering a Langevin DVC to cover the ELOPs, but I'm stumped as to the most versatile partner for the faster stuff.

I am currently in the market for a "high-endcompressor." 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.

Looking for a new compressor for "home" mastering-So nothing above $2k --so maybe in the price range of $600-1000...an early EMT,Altec,Urei,Orban, dbx all seem to be in that price...on the new front Buzz, Alesis CLX 440, SPL,Dramer_____ maybe wait for a used Avalon 747, Manley, Cranesong,,,probably never in that price range andworking . so whats a poor boy to do?