Which compressor do I want?

[scott]

I want a pair of compressors for drums. I'm thinking dbx, but which ones? 160a 160X 160XT 162.

Oh, I currently have a 163.





Scott.

[chris p]

I'm thinking maybe a SMART C1 or C2, but its horses for courses, scott. Depends a lot on your mics, your budget, your preamps, your mic placement and the sound you want out of it. A pair of ever faithful Distressors would also be nice. Once bought you'd never look to sell either option. In the budget range, maybe just a RNC?

[Aearth]

Give the Drawmer 1968 ME (Mercenary Addition) a try.


Nick

[mfdu]

build some 1176 clones from mnats (prodigy forum) - save money, have fun and learn something at the same time!

chris.
(mfdu)

[scott]

I've built the SSL clone and an 1176, which needs some attention :D but it will be a while before I can build another for stereo. I also have an HHB classic 60(70?) compressor but thats not so great on drums.

So I guess I want a pair and I guess i'm specifically after info on dbx es from regular users.

[scott]

...Damn. David W's dbx 162 woulda been nice.

[heathen]

Had a listen to 1 of the Neve Portico comps a few weeks back, that seems like a kick ass drum comp, I'd like 1 to playwith for a while. We only had a few minutes with it comparing it to a few other comps. We sort of just put through the initial test abuse settings to see what it does, when Louis (Part owner of Limestone studio's) cranked the gr it sounded as if the drums were exploding. What do ya reckon Nick? I was impressed.
So I reckon given some extra play time with it I'm sure it would be a valuable addition to any compressor arsenal. I think especially using it paralleled with another comp on a multed stereo drum subgroup. Smash with the portico and gentle with the other, depening on the song of course. Was just a thought for some killer drums.
Or a Smart c2, Rick suggested one of those a couple of years back and I must admit I love it. It will deliver the SSL sound and more. But one of the main units I've been using is a Pendulum ES8, alot of the time in series with the C2. C2 for snap and es8 ( sometimes no gr) for thickness.

Heath

[BCains]

I'd go with either the Smart C2 or Purple Audio MC77s (now at legacy).

[Aearth]

Yeh. I reckon the Neve Portico comps were really great but I remember the Buzz SOC were a rave and so was the Drawmer 1968. For me the Buzz will be the next comp to get.

Nick

[heathen]

Yeah the Drawmer 1968 was nice and fat in the bottom end, would work a treat too I reckon. The Buzz optical comps are superb too, especially for vox and bass, actually I think I've used it on every bass track since I bought it. For tracking vox it is a real winner. I'm really keen to try the Buzz Essence comp (500 series) too I think its basically the same but with transformers on the outputs. I've gotta get a lunchbox.

Heath

[Aearth]

The problem with all the Buzz 500 series modules is that it draws too much power. Each modules draw about 150mA.
You really are limited to what module you can run in a API Lunch Box.

Nick

Quote from Tim Farrant Buzz Audio

"Having recently been in touch with API about the 500 Series, I can report that there are some limitations with the power supply in some API frames.

The API Lunchbox has a 360mA capable power supply, and I believe the Shadow Hills module draws about 100mA each, so 2, maybe 3 is the limit depending on what else in there. Apparently there are plans to beef up the Lunchbox PSU in the near future.

There is an older 10 space API rack (made in the late 80's) with an internal supply which is very light weight, so some of the more power hungry modules are going to cause problems. Our Elixir preamp draws 150mA per module, and cannot be used in this rack.

The new VPR500 rack has stacks of power capability (3 amps), as does the new OSA external power supply. I am not sure at this time of the power capability of the BAE power supply.

Hope this is of some help.
Tim Farrant."

[davemc]

I had a 1969 (1968 with pres) which was ok, lots of freelancers who used the studio liked it. Although would not be my first choice. Really with compressors its all up to you. See what you can try. Which is hard in Australia

[mark rachelle]

i ve had a fair bit of experience on the drawmer 1969 kind like a dirty version of the 737 (diffrent beast but they share a similarity where they are pretty much useless) except once again they have a great wrap for DI ing Bass

seems to me to be a bit of a pattern here yeah i'm being harsh but you don't want one

[scott]

Yeah I have a Summit TLA50 which is a great cheap valve opto for vox and bass. Definitely not after an opto though. Drums, percussion stuff.

Hey you think its hard too try things is australia? come on down :)

[heathen]

[quote="Aearth"]The problem with all the Buzz 500 series modules is that it draws too much power. Each modules draw about 150mA.
You really are limited to what module you can run in a API Lunch Box.

Nick

Quote from Tim Farrant Buzz Audio

"Having recently been in touch with API about the 500 Series, I can report that there are some limitations with the power supply in some API frames.

The API Lunchbox has a 360mA capable power supply, and I believe the Shadow Hills module draws about 100mA each, so 2, maybe 3 is the limit depending on what else in there. Apparently there are plans to beef up the Lunchbox PSU in the near future.

There is an older 10 space API rack (made in the late 80's) with an internal supply which is very light weight, so some of the more power hungry modules are going to cause problems. Our Elixir preamp draws 150mA per module, and cannot be used in this rack.

The new VPR500 rack has stacks of power capability (3 amps), as does the new OSA external power supply. I am not sure at this time of the power capability of the BAE power supply.

Hope this is of some help.
Tim Farrant."[/quote]


There are new Lunchboxes coming out with extra power I think 1 amp, I read it somewhere.

[Aearth]

I wouldn't compare the Drawmer 1969 with the 1968. As a comp the 1968 is just great on a stereo buss especially drums. Not bad on a mix buss either.

Nick

[davemc]

I wouldn't compare the Drawmer 1969 with the 1968. As a comp the 1968 is just great on a stereo buss especially drums. Not bad on a mix buss either.

Nick

I think your getting mixed up with the 1960, which is totally different to a 1968/1969..
1968 = 1969 minus pres and DI. 1968 has a plus big switch in mono.
They are the same compressor.

As I said its personal. the 1969 to me was to soft and lost the top end. I did not mind it on room mics or bass.
Although other engineers liked them, I prefered other compressors I had Neve 2254, fatso, 1178, ES-8,160VU on most things. I did not like my UA 2-610 much I had or Avalon 737, others do. No right or worng. Just different peoples hearing.
The older I get teh more I think you need to listen to things yourself. Although as I said in Australia its real real hard. I brought the 1969 s/h un-heard on other peoples thoughts, as I could not get a demo unit to try and one came up reasonable price s/h. As said was useful never my fav.
My fav compressors were the Neve 2254 and ES-8. I really liked teh distressor when I used them but never brought one for some strange reason.

[Roy]

Speaking of Drawmer-
Just saw this on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DRAWMER-1960-VAC ... dZViewItem

Anyone used one of these before? What are they like?

[davemc]

Speaking of Drawmer-
Just saw this on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DRAWMER-1960-VAC ... dZViewItem

Anyone used one of these before? What are they like?

Have not used one for years.. Back then I only had Mackie stuff to compare was not a lot a head mic pre wise. Seems to get bad press.. Although if your local to him/her then see if you can try.