I’m playing live in a few weeks and thinking about buying a small outboard compressor to run my elektrons through.
Does anyone do this for live situations? I know you dont need a compressor if you’ve got levels, eq, and panning honed in, but Im finding my tracks lack a bit of “umpf” without the compression that’s on my recorded tracks.
Yeah, the few times I’ve played live w/ my gear I’ve run it through a compressor for the reason you’re describing.
Incidentally, I’m selling an Overstayer FET compressor - I’ve used it for this purpose before. Check it out
http://www.elektronauts.com/topics/view/2611
golden age compressor neve clone - perfect for warming up elektrons
lindell 1176 clone is next on my list
good luck!!
Thanks jamrod, I’ll consider it.
I’m thinking of getting the DBX 1066: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1066/
Anyone have experience with that?
What about the FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor?
FWIW, I have heard people talk about the RNC and it’s sibling, the RNLA, on many occasions. Most of them seem to be of the opinion that the RNLA does a better job of warming up the MD, as they often say the RNC colors the sound.
A couple of months ago another forum member was kind enough to let me try his RNLA as he was planning to sell it. I ran my MDUW straight through it and personally I didn’t find it did much I liked to my beats. YMMV of course.
Since then I’ve been concentrating on getting mileage out of Elektron’s other compressors – the ones in the OT and MnM. To my ears, both have distinctly different effects on the MD than the MD’s dynamix. I’m currently getting results I like running MD through the MnM’s inputs and processing the signal with a MnM dynamix FX track.
All that said, I’d love to hear someone post some before/after examples of how they’ve warmed up some MD grooves with a portable outboard compressor. It’s a perennial topic and I think a lot of people would benefit from it.
cannot go wrong with an alesis 3630 - cheap and dirty. very aggressive sounding. will make you french in about 4 seconds.
i wouldn’t waste my money on something too nice for a sub-optimal live situation in the first place - spend the money on the studio.
+1 on Overstayer Audio Stereo FET Comp.
I don’t own one, but I have their stereo VCA compressor with a sidechain input- perfect for getting the most out of 2 Elektron boxes. It’s more of a master bus compressor but is capable of some FX stuff with the “behavior” and “Blend” knobs (mostly pumping bass the old fasioned way- and not getting the deaded “click”)
But I do want the FET Comp, which a friend of mine has and it adds subtle character or wild modulation and it’s not like a DBX- it’s usable across a huge range.
Would you guys suggest using either the FMR RNC or the RNLA on the master buss ? Simple question, perhaps. 
EDIT: I am most curious about the FMR stuff mostly due to their size. This is going to be sitting on top of my Akai CS-702DII cassette deck while I go DAWless for a few months.
Instead of starting a new thread, I’m going to piggyback off of this one.
I’m looking for a small hardware compressor that would be good on the stereo mix both for playing live and for final mixes. The catch is that it needs to fit in a live rig case that I’ve been putting together, so 9 inches wide (maybe 9 1/2) and 6 inches long (maybe 8 inches).
I’ve been looking at the following units:
FMR RNC
Overstayer FET Stereo compressor
Alesis Nano Compressor
Symetrix SX-208 Compressor/Limiter
Neve Portico 5043 Duo Compressor
Now, the Neve is a bit out of my price range, but I could just wait and save. I put it in the list because of the quality mixes it’s capable of and it’s small footprint.
You forgot the Empirical Labs EL8 (or EL8X, preferably) Distressor!
That’s too big for my needs. Looks nice though.
That’s too big for my needs. Looks nice though. [/quote]
But the answer to your question is to wait and save, if that’s the comp you really want.
But if possible, you should try to find somewhere where you can demo high-end gear (drive 2 hours if you have to).
You may like the character of one more than the other, and things like compressors are very subjective and depending on the music you make (and what you like about the type of music you make).
And…I bought the fancy neve portico 5043 with credit (albeit, the older model reviewed in this article, http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul07/articles/rupertneveportico_5042_5043.htm). Thanks, Bill Me Later.
Good man. When it comes to this shit, it’s best to just wait (or do damage to your credit) and spend the extra money for what you know to be one of the best.
you’ll spend less time on forums and reading sound on sound reviews and more time making music.
when it comes to processing and recording equipment, you get what you pay for with 90% of the products out there. There are some notable exceptions, and some things that are relatively inexpensive may end up being the right things for you (usually with preamps). But, like preamps, EQs and Compressors are built with some esoteric hardware that is expensive- if it’s cheap it’s because it’s either assembled in the 3rd world or uses materials you could source and buy yourself for $50.
you can stop over and test out my DBX 166xl
I love it, its a nice stereo compressor.
I mainly cue out at side chain input and compress my tx81z for house style compression techniques.
you can stop over and test out my DBX 166xl
I love it, its a nice stereo compressor.
I mainly cue out at side chain input and compress my tx81z for house style compression techniques.[/quote]
I wish more people would offer what you’re offering. Good people, respect.
if you head in the box - i would try out nebula pro and http://rhythminmind.net/STN/
Stripe 76 Compressor
amazing emulation!!!
also try out his
DME 1968 FET/Tube Compressor
and
MPCee3k Sampler – Nebula Programs
Thanks for the recommendations, but I’m trying to remove myself more and more from the computer. I’ve gotten to the point where all my gear is neatly organized within’ a case and I can just switch it on to start jammin’. While is offers some areas of flexibility, things like this (buying a compressor) aren’t as simple =P