New to Outboard | 2 Bus Compressor Question

[Briz]

Hi,

Firstly, I'm a musician and I'm an audio engineer out of necessity. I've heard a few great stereo compressors in studios I've recorded in that have transformed mixes when applied to the master or 2 Bus.

Some I've used in the past:
API 2500
Various SSL, including G
Dangerous Compressor

My budget will not allow for the purchase of these, but I'm curious if there are lower cost decent alternatives to get that glue that analog provides. The only unit I could find for less than $2500 is the Warm Audio Bus Comp.

While I own warm audio gear, I'm curious if any of you have recommendations. I primarily write and record progressive and groove metal. Rarely do I incorporate blast beats, but I do feature quite a bit of double bass kicks and distorted bass guitar. So having that sidechain filter that allows me to kiss the right frequencies is crucial.

If I just need to save money to get the right gear, I can do that too.

Thanks in advance.

[sonics]

Are you looking for hardware specifically?
The value available in software is immense, and the sound is as good if not better than the cheaper hardware alternatives. You also get better facilities in some instances, and the option of multiple copies.
But... if it's hardware you need, then decent money needs to be spent in my experience.

[The Elf]

I really wouldn't advocate hardware. Plug-ins are so good now there's really no need. And a compressor is only as good as the music going through it and the engineer in control...

[Briz]

Are you looking for hardware specifically?
The value available in software is immense, and the sound is as good if not better than the cheaper hardware alternatives. You also get better facilities in some instances, and the option of multiple copies.
But... if it's hardware you need, then decent money needs to be spent in my experience.

I am looking for hardware. I understand that plugins have come a long way. However, with my own ears I've been able to hear a difference between analog vs digital as it applies to this application. I do a pretty decent job of getting things in the box with the right tone, quality, et. al. After watching a couple of great engineers eliminate the impediments I was facing by dialing in the right tones, pairing the right mics and pres for the application, using light compression on the way in for certain instruments and vocals, etc., I'm able to mix more efficiently and confidently.

Thanks for your input, and great questions.

[James Perrett]

Like The Elf, I would say that there is almost nothing that you can do with hardware that can't be done in software these days. The main difference is the ease of control - it is far easier to turn a real knob than it is to adjust something with a mouse or a stepped rotary control.

However, having said that, if you want decent hardware bus compression on a budget you should take a look at the FMR RNC1773 (aka the Really Nice Compressor). It is a stereo unit that shares one set of controls between both channels. I still use it in the studio sometimes when I'm recording through the mixing desk.

[Briz]

Like The Elf, I would say that there is almost nothing that you can do with hardware that can't be done in software these days. The main difference is the ease of control - it is far easier to turn a real knob than it is to adjust something with a mouse or a stepped rotary control.

However, having said that, if you want decent hardware bus compression on a budget you should take a look at the FMR RNC1773 (aka the Really Nice Compressor). It is a stereo unit that shares one set of controls between both channels. I still use it in the studio sometimes when I'm recording through the mixing desk.

After a quick search, I've found this unit for as little a $187 to over $400. I'll do some research and check it out.

Thank you for the recommendation.

[James Perrett]

After a quick search, I've found this unit for as little a $187 to over $400. I'll do some research and check it out.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Don't let the low price fool you - it works as well as many expensive compressors.

[Briz]

Just curious... While looking into the FMR RNC, I stumbled across the Heritage Audio SUCCESSOR. Does anyone have any thoughts on or experience with this unit? It seems to be in the sweet spot for my budget.

I haven't ruled out grabbing the FMR, especially for the price.

Again, thank you all for your input.

[sonics]

The Successor looks rather nice! I would guess that it's not going to sound like an API or SSL though.

If it works like the Neve 2254/33609 it looks to be inspired by it should be a very nice tool. The 33609 was my first bus compressor and still gets used regularly (albeit in plugin form now!).

[Zukan]

There are loads of good affordable hardware compressors out there. One that a bunch of us engineers always liked ( a hidden gem if you will) was/is the TL Audio C2021.

[Drew Stephenson]

If you're looking at general mixbus magic it might be worth thinking about an SSL Fusion?

[Briz]

If you're looking at general mixbus magic it might be worth thinking about an SSL Fusion?

I saw the Fusion. It does look really nice. What threw me for a loop was the mastering label. I guess that wouldn't matter if I am using it as a compressor. However, I do send my mixes off to be mastered. But thank you for your input. I'll dig a little deeper into this unit.

[Arpangel]

One that a bunch of us engineers always liked ( a hidden gem if you will) was/is the TL Audio C2021.

I’ve just bought one of these, after using one in a studio some time ago, it’s very good, as you say, a hidden gem, I needed something to take over from my Behringer Composer, and it’s an audible step up, it’s got a sound, but it’s nice, very nice.

[Drew Stephenson]

If you're looking at general mixbus magic it might be worth thinking about an SSL Fusion?

I saw the Fusion. It does look really nice. What threw me for a loop was the mastering label. I guess that wouldn't matter if I am using it as a compressor. However, I do send my mixes off to be mastered. But thank you for your input. I'll dig a little deeper into this unit.

I think that's just a label.
There's no reason you couldn't use it on the mix bus but still leave yourself plenty of headroom for mastering.

[Briz]

While I'm narrowing things down, I think I'm going to pick up a FMR RNC1773 because it's just so affordable. I found a new unit at Full Compass for $186 USD.

I'm also looking at the recommended TL Audio C-2021, but I have a question: What is a fair price for this unit used, in good condition? I only ask because the prices are all over the place - from $299 USD to over $1000 USD. From what I can tell, there aren't any mods or upgrades between the $299 units and the $1000 units. Since I'm not familiar with this gear, I'm curious to know about what you'd expect to pay if you were buying the TL Audio C-2021? My train of thought might be off, but this is the logic I'm using: If were in the market for an Ibanez PIA guitar, for example, I'd expect to pay around $3200+ USD. If I saw that guitar for $1000 USD, I'd wonder if it's a scam, a fake, or if someone just really needed the money. I'd be leery of a "to good to be true" price. I hope this makes sense.

Again, thank you for your help and recommendations!

[Zukan]

You can look at past Ebay sales to get a guide. I am seeing them on Reverb for around £300. I wouldn't pay $1000 for one though.

[Arpangel]

2021? I bought mine from a dealer £250

[Wonks]

There's often a very big difference between what people ask for items and what they actually sell for, on both eBay and Reverb.

As Zukan says, look at the sold listing values, not the advertised price.

[Born7Supreme]

If you have not already pulled the trigger on a purchase, take a look at SA (Stam Áudio) they have a nice 2 bus compressor and are currently on the 2nd reiteration of 2 bus with a few extra goodie’s. The only Caveat is the wait time for production, as they are made per order. The closest clone to having a SSL Comp. I caught a used one on eBay for $750.00. No complaints here!

[jaminem]

I would always look used for this type of thing.

For example I picked up a Dramastic Audio Obsidian for about £1K, if you can go 500 series there's the Wes Audio stuff amongst others - the good thing about 500 series is that youre not paying for PSU's all the time so the module's themselves are cheaper as has been mentioned STAM and also Audioscape do good alternatives.

If you can DIY there's Sound Skulptors CP4500, and a bunch of clones on Group DIY - Neotek do one as well.

I wouldn't count the Warm Audio out either, they used good parts and get to the price point by bulk buying

I'd be a bit wary of putting a 33609 type compressor on the 2 bus, they are great when they suit but they can be very coloured so not always 'right' so you need discipline, and resist not just using it because you have it.

My 2 Bus is an SSL fusion with the Dramastic in the insert point. Its great, I do hear a difference over plugins and the workflow is so much nicer for me, so am willing to take the recall hassle that goes with it. There is a little program called Session Recall that really helps if you use a lot of hardware if you do go more down the HW route - it allows you to save your settings for each project (admittedly not within your DAW) and has a nice GUI and is very cheap...

[Briz]

I'll look into all of these recommendations. I haven't heard of most of these, so I'll do my homework.

I thought about 500 series and, at one point, I was looking at the Cranborne Audio ADAT version and the Titan. I can get the Titan and Dione for around $2k US.

I found a really good price on a WesAudio ngBusComp demo, too. That unit looks and sounds pretty amazing to my ears. So many options, but thank you all for the recommendations. I'm going to do a little homework, see if I can find some of these units locally to demo, and then create a shortlist.

Probably a dumb question, but for those of you that use 500 series, given the multiple ways to link, chain, and use as standalone, do you tackle those issues with a patchbay, or is there some other trick or super intuitive chassis that simplifies?

Thanks again!

[jaminem]

Most 500 series chassis give you the option to link directly to the next slot to the right via a switch, usually on the back but that means you have to build your modules as a ‘strip’ ie preamp>eq>compressor etc. I use a patchbay tbh, but then I have a lot of hw.

If you’re considering 500 series, id look at the fredenstein chassis - good quality and low cost. I have 2 and they work flawlessly…

[Arpangel]

I'll look into all of these recommendations. I haven't heard of most of these, so I'll do my homework.

I thought about 500 series and, at one point, I was looking at the Cranborne Audio ADAT version and the Titan. I can get the Titan and Dione for around $2k US.

I found a really good price on a WesAudio ngBusComp demo, too. That unit looks and sounds pretty amazing to my ears. So many options, but thank you all for the recommendations. I'm going to do a little homework, see if I can find some of these units locally to demo, and then create a shortlist.

Probably a dumb question, but for those of you that use 500 series, given the multiple ways to link, chain, and use as standalone, do you tackle those issues with a patchbay, or is there some other trick or super intuitive chassis that simplifies?

Thanks again!

I was thinking of getting into 500, but I’m not making a move yet, the modules are cheaper than racks, but there’s the cost if the 500 rack, and more importantly, it can tempt you into buying more stuff, that you originally didn’t need, rather than just going out and buying that one compressor.

[Arpangel]

I had to post this, I’ve just been using my TLA 2021, honestly, you’ve got to consider this, it’s probably the best value comp you can get, I forgot actually how good this thing is. I’ve got it permanently across my main buss, after you’ve used it for awhile then turn it off, it’s like what! everything sounds flat.
It’s got that classic valve sound, but it’s not OTT, you know it’s there, simply because everything sounds so nice, as in bigger, more detail, a sparkle without being in any way harsh, it sounds a lot better than comps costing a lot more, I’ve heard much more expensive ones that I’m wondering if they are actually turned on.
Great if transparency is what you want, but after you’ve heard the TLA I can’t imagine anyone not saying it sounds nice, I’m looking for another one now, just in case this one breaks!

[Briz]

I was thinking of getting into 500, but I’m not making a move yet, the modules are cheaper than racks, but there’s the cost if the 500 rack, and more importantly, it can tempt you into buying more stuff, that you originally didn’t need, rather than just going out and buying that one compressor.

If I'm being honest, that's my fear too! It would probably eat at me until I filled every slot.

I've been pretty good so far about only buying what I need and what has value to me, but I know me. I'd have a hard time not creating a reason to fill a slot, and probably with something I have no business owning.