Looking for a clean compressor thats rackmountable
I have a BBE maxcom but it creates a click noise when the comp kicks in
I have a BBE maxcom but it creates a click noise when the comp kicks in
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Best rackmount compresor
- Thread starter PeaveyPlayer
- Start date
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- rackmount
there are a lot great rackmount compressors, DBX is one of the 'standards'. but there are a lot of budget units that would be fine for bass: alesis, behringer, etc. they all do the same thing, more or less, so you quite a choice in the rack mount world (i use a dbx 163x --- probably not made anymore). many are dual channel = not a problem!
i would google it, and i would not be afraid to buy used! good luck in your search.
i would google it, and i would not be afraid to buy used! good luck in your search.
Budget?
What do you want it to sound like/ do: peak limiting, gentle or hard compression, tone fattening?
How do you play: pick, fingers, slap, a combination?
Are you deadset on just a rackmount unit, or would you be cool velcro'ing a pedal to a rack shelf?
People still use rackmount gear live?
What do you want it to sound like/ do: peak limiting, gentle or hard compression, tone fattening?
How do you play: pick, fingers, slap, a combination?
Are you deadset on just a rackmount unit, or would you be cool velcro'ing a pedal to a rack shelf?
People still use rackmount gear live?
Budget is up to 300
Peak limiting for when I also and finger style
I'm also deadset on Rackmount
And yes I know a few guys that still do rackmount
I read this in the Maxcom manual a long while ago:
"THE VCA
At the heart of the MAXCOM lies an industry standard state-of-the-art VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier). With its excellent specifications (noise, THD, control feedthrough, linearity, slew rate and temperature stability) the precision VCA used in the MAXCOM is considered one of the best in VCA technology. The “control feedthrough” used in VCA terminology is a very critical parameter for the crosstalk of the control voltage into the audio path. Slow changes of the control voltage lead to a slow DC offset at the audio output of the VCA and are mostly in-audible. Fast controls however, will result in awkward switching noise (“clicks”)."
I wasn't sure if they were saying that they overcame this click issue or that fast control settings will have this issue.
-Frank
"THE VCA
At the heart of the MAXCOM lies an industry standard state-of-the-art VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier). With its excellent specifications (noise, THD, control feedthrough, linearity, slew rate and temperature stability) the precision VCA used in the MAXCOM is considered one of the best in VCA technology. The “control feedthrough” used in VCA terminology is a very critical parameter for the crosstalk of the control voltage into the audio path. Slow changes of the control voltage lead to a slow DC offset at the audio output of the VCA and are mostly in-audible. Fast controls however, will result in awkward switching noise (“clicks”)."
I wasn't sure if they were saying that they overcame this click issue or that fast control settings will have this issue.
-Frank
bongomania
Commercial User
Fast time settings will have a clicking like a distortion. The 266XS will do the same thing, but worse.
The dbx has this OverEasy threshold circuitry that they use to eliminate compression artifacts. It is commonly known as soft-knee compression by other manufacturers.
From the manual:
"The 266xs OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the 266xs internal gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully processed by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings."
This feature should allow you to use fast control settings without the usual fast compression artifacts. Even tho the BBE unit "combines the concept of a “Hard Knee” compressor with the characteristics of a “Soft Knee” approach", the dbx unit may be much better at it.
-Frank
From the manual:
"The 266xs OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the 266xs internal gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully processed by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings."
This feature should allow you to use fast control settings without the usual fast compression artifacts. Even tho the BBE unit "combines the concept of a “Hard Knee” compressor with the characteristics of a “Soft Knee” approach", the dbx unit may be much better at it.
-Frank
bongomania
Commercial User
Hey Cyrus,
I see who is claiming compression before threshold is reached. It's dbx with their OverEasy explanation.
"The 266xs OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the 266xs internal gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully processed by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings."
"In OverEasy mode the threshold of compression is defined as the middle of the OverEasy
threshold region, that is, “half-way” into compression."
"The three THRESHOLD LEDs indicate the relationship of the input signal level to the threshold of compression. The green LED lights when the signal is BELOW threshold, the red LED lights when the signal is above threshold, and the yellow LED lights when the OVEREASY switch is depressed and the input signal is in the OVEREASY range."
Threshold definition is when the compression on the signal begins. I know that they are trying to describe the OverEasy (soft-knee) behavior, but saying that threshold is in the middle of the knee is technically false. As soon as the circuitry varies gain from a 1:1 input/output relationship, it has crossed a threshold. They even have a yellow LED to indicate that the soft-knee threshold has been crossed. So the LED's are:
Green = below threshold, no compression, ratio 1:1
Yellow = OverEasy threshold, compression, ratio varies with input signal level between 1:1 to ratio set on front panel
Red = hard threshold, compression, signal compressed to ratio set on front panel
Watch the threshold LED's in the beginning of this demo:
I asked you a long time ago who was saying that there is compression before a threshold crossing and you couldn't remember where that came from. Well dbx may have been the source.
-Frank
I see who is claiming compression before threshold is reached. It's dbx with their OverEasy explanation.
"The 266xs OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the 266xs internal gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully processed by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings."
"In OverEasy mode the threshold of compression is defined as the middle of the OverEasy
threshold region, that is, “half-way” into compression."
"The three THRESHOLD LEDs indicate the relationship of the input signal level to the threshold of compression. The green LED lights when the signal is BELOW threshold, the red LED lights when the signal is above threshold, and the yellow LED lights when the OVEREASY switch is depressed and the input signal is in the OVEREASY range."
Threshold definition is when the compression on the signal begins. I know that they are trying to describe the OverEasy (soft-knee) behavior, but saying that threshold is in the middle of the knee is technically false. As soon as the circuitry varies gain from a 1:1 input/output relationship, it has crossed a threshold. They even have a yellow LED to indicate that the soft-knee threshold has been crossed. So the LED's are:
Green = below threshold, no compression, ratio 1:1
Yellow = OverEasy threshold, compression, ratio varies with input signal level between 1:1 to ratio set on front panel
Red = hard threshold, compression, signal compressed to ratio set on front panel
Watch the threshold LED's in the beginning of this demo:
I asked you a long time ago who was saying that there is compression before a threshold crossing and you couldn't remember where that came from. Well dbx may have been the source.
-Frank
The DBX 160a is a very musical and bass friendly compressor for live shows. It has "soft knee" compression that comes in slowly and doesn't have the noticeable engagement noted in others. I run mine around 4:1 and keep the input in the yellow flickering to red, which is optimal for the soft knee and it's sweet spot, and it's a very subtle effect. It tightens up my sound and fills out the strings, with the ability to still have control over my dynamics.
It's part of my must have kit for gigging.
It's part of my must have kit for gigging.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,035
- 22,694
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- John K Custom Basses
i always liked the 160X:
Vintage Rack Mountable DBX 160X Compressor / Limiter Clean Overall, See Photos | eBay
DBX 160X | eBay
Vintage Rack Mountable DBX 160X Compressor / Limiter Clean Overall, See Photos | eBay
DBX 160X | eBay
You could keep an eye open for a used DC24 for about $100. The dual-band design design is particularly nice for bass. The unit has an outboard power supply; make sure to ask if it's included.
Rane DC24
Rane DC24
Nice!
But if we are going to pitch used... then a Rane DC24 should be in the mix.
RANE DC 24 Dynamic Controller Used | eBay
For $75 too!!!
-Frank
- Feb 20, 2009
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used DBX is the ticket here, they're made for PAs and like every other piece of analog gear they've been dumped by all the sound pros for digital, meaning you can get nice pro-quality stuff cheap.
the top dog 160's are still kinda pricey (but i am seeing them on ebay for less than $300 here and there, even the older USA-made ones). the 2-channel 166 is pretty sweet and US-made versions can be had for less than that.
the "XL" or new silver-faced "XS" are cheap even new, they're OK but not great.
now, how are you gonna be feeding the thing? rackmount PA comps often expect to see line level signals, so sending your bass straight into it might be disappointing. if you run it after your bass amp's preamp you should be good, like in the effects loop of the bass amp.
Just a caution on Rane DC24's... they were released to production in 1988 so they may need to have their pots serviced and electrolytic caps replaced.
-Frank
-Frank