Looking For Inexpensive Compressor/Limiter/AGC

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

FMR Audio makes the RNC. Impossible to beat for the $$. One place you
can get one is www.mercenary.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Thanks for the response. I've been looking at a few in addition to the
FMR. Here is what I've been looking at:

Alto CLE2.0
BBE MaxCom
Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
RNC

Any opinions on any of those? I read in depth about the RNC yesterday,
and alot of people say its a hot product. I'm just trying to get the
best sounding for my money since I'm on a very limited budget. I'm
looking for as hard of a limit sound as possible.

Thanks!

-Mark

On 4 Mar 2005 06:29:37 -0800, tymish@hotmail.com wrote:

>FMR Audio makes the RNC. Impossible to beat for the $$. One place you
>can get one is www.mercenary.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Hi, thanks for the response.

Yes, this is partly for broadcast on internet radio stations. I do
sets with turntables and would like the end result to sound good. I'd
like quiet parts in songs to be raised to the same volume as the rest
of the song, and then when it hits a boom, to have that hard limiting
sound. I would be more than happy to upload a sample of what I mean by
this if my description is not very good. I'd also like the end result
to have the sound of hard limiting.

I'd also take the compressor with me for optimal sound if I performed
at gigs and the such.

As stated in my original message, I'm looking for something to sound
similar to the settings I have on my Tomass Limiter Winamp plugin.

But the short answer to your question, is yes, it's mainly for
broadcasting. I know that these arent the best options out there, but
I'm trying to get the most I can for my money, since my stations are
run purely off donations.

Thanks again.

-Mark

On 5 Mar 2005 14:39:02 -0500, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>Mark K <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
>>Thanks for the response. I've been looking at a few in addition to the
>>FMR. Here is what I've been looking at:
>>
>>Alto CLE2.0
>>BBE MaxCom
>>Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
>>RNC
>>
>>Any opinions on any of those? I read in depth about the RNC yesterday,
>>and alot of people say its a hot product. I'm just trying to get the
>>best sounding for my money since I'm on a very limited budget. I'm
>>looking for as hard of a limit sound as possible.
>
>The RNC will not do hard limiting at all.
>
>On the other hand, none of the other options you list are in the same
>league and frankly I wouldn't want any of them in the same room with me.
>
>What do you want limiting for? Is this a broadcast application?
>--scott

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

>In that case, you want a slow AGC compressor, like the RNC in Super-Nice
>mode, followed by a limiter.

Compressors are pretty new to me, so at the risk of sounding like a
"newbie", I have played around with my Tomass Limiter settings and on
the attacks I like it fast, around 20ms. The high and low freq release
are set at 693ms (which is fast considering it can go to 4000ms).

After reading about the RNC, I'm not sure how the "Super-Nice Mode"
would be what I am looking for.

If I did that option (of the RNC and limiter), then what limiter would
you reccomend?

>Why don't you just use the plugin, then?

I do, for mp3 playback and for listening to internet radio broadcasts.
For broadcasting over the net the plugin wouldn't exactly work for
that, or when I'm spinning places where no computer is available. I'm
looking for actual hardware.

>You don't need anywhere NEAR as hard limiting as you do for conventional
>broadcast. In part, because you won't get guys in grey suits showing up
>on your doorstep if you exceed modulation requirements.

I know I don't NEED it, but that's the sound I like and am trying to
achieve.

Thanks Again

-Mark

On 5 Mar 2005 15:05:07 -0500, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>Mark K <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
>>
>>Yes, this is partly for broadcast on internet radio stations. I do
>>sets with turntables and would like the end result to sound good. I'd
>>like quiet parts in songs to be raised to the same volume as the rest
>>of the song, and then when it hits a boom, to have that hard limiting
>>sound. I would be more than happy to upload a sample of what I mean by
>>this if my description is not very good. I'd also like the end result
>>to have the sound of hard limiting.
>
>In that case, you want a slow AGC compressor, like the RNC in Super-Nice
>mode, followed by a limiter.
>
>One way of doing this entirely in the digital domain is with the dbx DDP
>processor. The DDP is basically a whole airchain in a 1U space.
>
>None of the inexpensive boxes out there will do real hard limiting like
>a broadcast limiter will. Although, you could probably buy a used Volumax
>for cheap.
>
>>As stated in my original message, I'm looking for something to sound
>>similar to the settings I have on my Tomass Limiter Winamp plugin.
>
>Why don't you just use the plugin, then?
>
>>But the short answer to your question, is yes, it's mainly for
>>broadcasting. I know that these arent the best options out there, but
>>I'm trying to get the most I can for my money, since my stations are
>>run purely off donations.
>
>You don't need anywhere NEAR as hard limiting as you do for conventional
>broadcast. In part, because you won't get guys in grey suits showing up
>on your doorstep if you exceed modulation requirements.
>--scott

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

>To be honest, there aren't many cheap limiters that are any good, unless
>you're willing to spend the money for the Aphex Dominator or something.

I'd be willing to spend the money if I had it....but this is just for
a nonprofit group of Internet Radio Stations I run, as well as live DJ
sets on location. This is not an FM or AM station I am trying to set
up.

You said that you wouldn't use any of the products that I mentioned I
was looking at. Why is that? Do you know any faults of them, or any
idea how they sound? I have no real opportunity to try any of these
out, because the nearest audio store is 3 hours away, and even then it
doesn't carry much pro stuff at all.

I know that for my price range I won't be getting the top of the line,
so I wanted to write the newsgroups to see what people's opinions for
an "Inexpensive" model that would still provide the sound I want, even
if it's not 100% optimal.

-Mark

On 5 Mar 2005 16:40:08 -0500, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>Mark K <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
>>>In that case, you want a slow AGC compressor, like the RNC in Super-Nice
>>>mode, followed by a limiter.
>>
>>Compressors are pretty new to me, so at the risk of sounding like a
>>"newbie", I have played around with my Tomass Limiter settings and on
>>the attacks I like it fast, around 20ms. The high and low freq release
>>are set at 693ms (which is fast considering it can go to 4000ms).
>
>That's fine, but if it's a real limiter with a sharp knee, it won't be
>doing anything half the time because most of the time the signal is below
>the knee.
>
>The combination here is to use a slow average-reading compressor with a
>soft knee (like the RNC in Super-Nice mode) as a gain-riding device. It
>brings the average levels up, but mostly it just makes sure the average
>level is constant. THEN you can use a limiter to slice off peaks that
>are too far above the average level, because you have the average level
>constant.
>
>>After reading about the RNC, I'm not sure how the "Super-Nice Mode"
>>would be what I am looking for.
>>
>>If I did that option (of the RNC and limiter), then what limiter would
>>you reccomend?
>
>To be honest, there aren't many cheap limiters that are any good, unless
>you're willing to spend the money for the Aphex Dominator or something.
>
>>>You don't need anywhere NEAR as hard limiting as you do for conventional
>>>broadcast. In part, because you won't get guys in grey suits showing up
>>>on your doorstep if you exceed modulation requirements.
>>
>>I know I don't NEED it, but that's the sound I like and am trying to
>>achieve.
>
>Well, then spend the money for a Compellor/Dominator combination and go.
>But be aware that this STILL isn't going to give you solid enough limiting
>to be street-legal for broadcast directly. It's probably a lot closer
>than the plugin you're using, though.
>--scott

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Scott Dorsey" <kludge@panix.com> wrote in message news0d8vo$api$1@panix2.panix.com...

> Mark K <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
> >
> >I know I don't NEED it, but that's the sound I like and am trying to
> >achieve.

It's pretty easy to put the below $2400 combination together by going to e-Bay
and buying used. Shopping the 'bay' for a few weeks and bidding cautiously
and selectively, should get one into both of these items for around $700 or less.
Ask the right questions, don't get screwed on shipping, and you should end up
with quality hardware that should do the job you're trying to accomplish.

--
David Morgan (MAMS)
http://www.m-a-m-s DOT com


> Well, then spend the money for a Compellor/Dominator combination and go.
> But be aware that this STILL isn't going to give you solid enough limiting
> to be street-legal for broadcast directly. It's probably a lot closer
> than the plugin you're using, though.
>
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <uick21hlm653snf94bt73tutte0rkp2uq1@4ax.com>, Mark K
<nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:

> Thanks for the response. I'm only looking to spend a couple hundred,
> that's why I thought I'd ask. At this point I'm doing this pretty much
> as a hobby, since the stations make no revenue, and the cost of
> streaming servers is great every month.
>
> I would take the equipment along with me on any gigs as well, but it
> would take quite a bit of those to make it pay for itself.


For that price you will not go wrong with the RNC. If you don't like it,
someone will buy it off you. It's very flexible, not at all a
one-trick-pony this thread sort of makes it sound. And it's true stereo,
no r/l controls, 1/3 rack, it has a fast attack if you need it, but it's
so smooth...

I thought I would try it between my MOTU Traveler and my monitors (not
that I require it) and you can certainly get some punch out it, but it's
really transparent. Really a superior audio product probably in a class
of it's own given the value for the money.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Mark K" <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
>
> [...] I'm looking for as hard of a limit sound as possible.



Are you sure? The screenshot you showed attack times of 20ms (though it
didn't give a very good indication of what happens after that).

If you're trying to emulate that plug, it looks like what you really
want is multi-band compression. I agree with Scott that the Behr sounds
pretty ragged (but maybe that's what you want). BSS makes one that
sounds great, but I have no idea what it costs.

If I was in your position, I'd put an RNC in SuperNice mode and just
groove.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Your best bets then are the RNC or an Aphex stereo Compellor. Here's
one on E-Bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d [...] eName=WDVW


Mark K wrote:
> Hi, thanks for the response.
>
> Yes, this is partly for broadcast on internet radio stations. I do
> sets with turntables and would like the end result to sound good. I'd
> like quiet parts in songs to be raised to the same volume as the rest
> of the song, and then when it hits a boom, to have that hard limiting
> sound. I would be more than happy to upload a sample of what I mean
by
> this if my description is not very good. I'd also like the end result
> to have the sound of hard limiting.
>
> I'd also take the compressor with me for optimal sound if I performed
> at gigs and the such.
>
> As stated in my original message, I'm looking for something to sound
> similar to the settings I have on my Tomass Limiter Winamp plugin.
>
> But the short answer to your question, is yes, it's mainly for
> broadcasting. I know that these arent the best options out there, but
> I'm trying to get the most I can for my money, since my stations are
> run purely off donations.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> -Mark
>
> On 5 Mar 2005 14:39:02 -0500, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>
> >Mark K <nospam@mkproductions.org> wrote:
> >>Thanks for the response. I've been looking at a few in addition to
the
> >>FMR. Here is what I've been looking at:
> >>
> >>Alto CLE2.0
> >>BBE MaxCom
> >>Behringer T1952 Tube Composer
> >>RNC
> >>
> >>Any opinions on any of those? I read in depth about the RNC
yesterday,
> >>and alot of people say its a hot product. I'm just trying to get
the
> >>best sounding for my money since I'm on a very limited budget. I'm
> >>looking for as hard of a limit sound as possible.
> >
> >The RNC will not do hard limiting at all.
> >
> >On the other hand, none of the other options you list are in the
same
> >league and frankly I wouldn't want any of them in the same room with
me.
> >
> >What do you want limiting for? Is this a broadcast application?
> >--scott

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Blind Johnny" <blindjoni@aol.com> wrote in message news:1110400195.482632.150110@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

> That is an older Compellor..you want the 320A if you can find it.


I didn't look to see what it was, but it should be made known that the
Compellor Model 300 is no longer even supported by Aphex.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

don ward wrote:
> if your looking for that brick wall at -.1 db go for the Aphex
> Dominator... you can set it so that -20 will be "0" or any place
> inbetween its a very transparent too. Its also multi band so there
is
> less pumping of highs or lows
> dnw
>
> --
> ---
> don ward <dward7@earthlink.net>
> ward

Another multiband you might consider is the TC Electronic
Triple C stereo. Not quite as preemo as the Aphex but
you might find a deal on one. Also note that there is
a Triple C mono unit, in which case you would need 2.

rd

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"WillStG" <willstg@aol.com> writes:
> BTW I have seen Dominator II's as the last device in the chain at
>several cable TV channels, they do use them in installs as protection
>devices.

>Will Miho

I thought I read a while back that there was a mod that many broadcasters
liked to do to the Dominator and that when buying used for recording studio
work, one should avoid (or undo) those units. Any truth to this?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

georgeh wrote:
> "WillStG" <willstg@aol.com> writes:
> > BTW I have seen Dominator II's as the last device in the chain
at
> >several cable TV channels, they do use them in installs as
protection
> >devices.
>
> >Will Miho
>
> I thought I read a while back that there was a mod that many
broadcasters
> liked to do to the Dominator and that when buying used for recording
studio
> work, one should avoid (or undo) those units. Any truth to this?

I have seen one modded for radio with manual attack/release switches
and seperate output pots for each crossover band..I've seen dozens
without. The stock version works fine.