Compressor Suggestion for E2S

Neon Horn · Post by **Neon Horn** » Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:37 pm

Hey guys,
I'm hunting for a compressor for my korg E2S. Something to help glue the sounds together.
The only compressor I've used with the E2S was the FMR RNC... which I've had decent results... I'm just wondering if there are any other recommendations. It'll just be used on the stereo buss to help give the sound a little life.
I've considered the following (under $500.00 compressors).
DBX 266XS
DBX 166XS
Art Pro VLA II
Art Pro SCL2
and of course repurchasing the FMR RNC
Let me know your thoughts if you've had any experience with these units.
Many thanks,
Mike

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:47 pm

I heard someone say how the FMR RNL was very good and better at certain results.
May well be worth considering or auditioning against the RNC.

Neon Horn · Post by **Neon Horn** » Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:08 am

Spheric El wrote:I heard someone say how the FMR RNL was very good and better at certain results.
May well be worth considering or auditioning against the RNC.

Thanks, I'll definitely consider the RNLA.

megamarkd · Post by **megamarkd** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:38 am

I own 2 dbx 166xl's and they do a good job at flattening out and boosting the drums I use them for. The do have a particular sound to them.
I read up about the difference between the 166xl and 166xs and there is a click with short attacks using the xl. I have heard it, so can confirm it's there, though I tend to use rather long attacks with mine as the are passing kick drum generators. Apparently the xs circuit remedied that issue but aside that, they are the same compressors. The source of my info is a forum I can't remember the name of, but the post I read's poster claims to be some massive dbx user for years and noticed the click and wrote to them regarding it. dbx then released the xs not long after. Dunno about how true the story his story is, but knowing the click is present in the xl's I wouldn't be surprised at the part regarding them being the same compressors aside the click.

I also have a Phonic PCL3200. It's about the same as the xl's, though not as coloured. It also has a frequency setting for the gate threshold. I use mine on my Volca Beats and my Rhythm Wolf (a channel each in dual mono mode). Lots of fun setting it to a high frequency so the gate follows the hats and truncates the other instruments.

Neon Horn · Post by **Neon Horn** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 11:39 am

Many thanks

Steeplemouth · Post by **Steeplemouth** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:07 am

megamarkd wrote:I read up about the difference between the 166xl and 166xs and there is a click with short attacks using the xl. I have heard it, so can confirm it's there, though I tend to use rather long attacks with mine as the are passing kick drum generators. Apparently the xs circuit remedied that issue but aside that, they are the same compressors.

I just picked up a used dbx 166XL at the weekend for a good price. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but I read up on it before I bought it and I came across one guy on GS who mentioned the click and also had a way to fix it, but it involves electronics and it may as well have been in a foreign language to me. I have read a lot about the 266XL having an issue with clicking that was apparently fixed in the 166XL, not sure if there is some confusion there or if these are two separate issues.

Are you using your 166XL with your electribe? How serious is the clicking issue? How short does the attack have to be to reproduce it?

Cheers,
Steeplemouth

InTheAM · Post by **InTheAM** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 5:17 pm

I've owned an FMR RNC twice. Basically does what it says on the tin, "really nice compression" and the Really Nice mode is pretty legit--never read anything about what drives it, but you can squash stuff pretty good w/o nasty artififacts.

EDIT: I missed that you've tried a RNC out.

At this point I'd probably try out the FMR RNLA if I were to go for a cheaper, hardware compressor again. I'd suggest considering something besides a compressor to "give things a little life". I get the glueing sounds together thing, but I feel like its the saturation in some compressors that makes the glue happen, rather than the actual compressing.

EDIT: I tend to also run my samplers through some kind of saturation before they hit my sampler. I use Uhe Satin and FabFilter Saturn if I'm feeding the ES2 stuff from my DAW. On iPad I use MasterRecord. Though thinking of investing in a Strymon Deco myself (or maybe a WarmAudio Tone Beast if I can some how justify it to the missus).

Maybe something like the Strymon Deco on that stereobus instead. Strymon pedals hold vaule really well. I've owned and sold two and only lost 20 or 40 dollars each selling them locally with no shipping.

megamarkd · Post by **megamarkd** » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:45 am

Steeplemouth wrote:
megamarkd wrote:I read up about the difference between the 166xl and 166xs and there is a click with short attacks using the xl. I have heard it, so can confirm it's there, though I tend to use rather long attacks with mine as the are passing kick drum generators. Apparently the xs circuit remedied that issue but aside that, they are the same compressors.
I just picked up a used dbx 166XL at the weekend for a good price. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but I read up on it before I bought it and I came across one guy on GS who mentioned the click and also had a way to fix it, but it involves electronics and it may as well have been in a foreign language to me. I have read a lot about the 266XL having an issue with clicking that was apparently fixed in the 166XL, not sure if there is some confusion there or if these are two separate issues.

Are you using your 166XL with your electribe? How serious is the clicking issue? How short does the attack have to be to reproduce it?

Cheers,
Steeplemouth

I don't actually own an Electribe, but compression is compression and so I chimed in. Since there are no markings on the 166xl's dials I can't really give a time, but it's not really noticeable with high gain at any rate. It can be heard upto around the 8 o'clock mark on the attack dial.
I only use them with percussion so to bring this around to on topic, unless you are squashing the life out of an ER using a virutally 0ms attack in a limiting type config, you won't notice it.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:53 pm

Interesting InTheAM :
" I'd suggest considering something besides a compressor to "give things a little life". I get the glueing sounds together thing, but I feel like its the saturation in some compressors that makes the glue happen, rather than the actual compressing."

You've got me gassing for Analog Heat (again) ..or a Strymon.