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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Alex Rigodanzo on June 30, 2014, 09:54:57 AM

Title: vocal compressor
Post by: Alex Rigodanzo on June 30, 2014, 09:54:57 AM
Looking to get a reasonably priced vocal comp.  In a past life, I had a dbx 1066. Currently have a 166a and a 266xl.  I know neither of those is anything to write home about.  Is the 1066 much of an upgrade?  What else should I look at around the $200 used range?
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Tim McCulloch on June 30, 2014, 12:34:05 PM
Looking to get a reasonably priced vocal comp.  In a past life, I had a dbx 1066. Currently have a 166a and a 266xl.  I know neither of those is anything to write home about.  Is the 1066 much of an upgrade?  What else should I look at around the $200 used range?

dbx 160, any flavor.  There should be hundreds on the used market with the Demise of Analogue®.
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Robert Weston on June 30, 2014, 12:35:38 PM
The 1066 is a comp/limiter/gate; as far as sound quality, it's probably the same as what is used in the 166/266 series.  We use the 1066 models in our rig (for compressing subgroups); have never had an issue and it's always sounded good. 

If you are needing something for live sound, stick with the dbx; if you are needing something for recording (home studio, etc.), you should probably be looking at something with much greater quality than the dbx.
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: John Penkala on June 30, 2014, 12:54:01 PM
Looking to get a reasonably priced vocal comp.  In a past life, I had a dbx 1066. Currently have a 166a and a 266xl.  I know neither of those is anything to write home about.  Is the 1066 much of an upgrade?  What else should I look at around the $200 used range?

How many channels do you need? I've seen Aphex 651's for $200 for a single channel. BSS DPR404's can be had for $300 and they have 4 channels with de-esser's. BSS DPR402's are in the ballpark as well.
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Scott Harris on June 30, 2014, 01:24:50 PM
Have you tried an RNC?  I love mine!  It's basically transparent and great for good singers.  I use a 166 for backup singers & instruments.
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Tomm Williams on June 30, 2014, 01:55:58 PM
I spotted a KT quad comp on CL for $350 out of Portland. 
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Alex Rigodanzo on June 30, 2014, 04:12:13 PM
Need two channels for vocal subgroup.  I've read quite a bit about the RNC and there seems to be a love/hate thing out there.  Not that there's really hate, but people saying they've tried them and they're not all that the lovers claim they are.  I don't know why that is.

My memory of the 1066 is pretty vague as it was several years ago.  That's why I was wondering if it's much of an improvement over the 166/266.  They list for quite a bit more, but seem to be not much more on the used market.
Title: Re: vocal compressor
Post by: Scott Stephens on June 30, 2014, 04:50:15 PM
I have both the dbx 1066 and the 166, both are and have been fine for several years. But I also have the Ashley CLX 52. It is really nice and can be gotten used for $100 or so or new at Full Compass for $300 or so.
Compressors are great in almost any flavor, just don't crush the crap out of everything.
scott