Budget compressor for tracking

[Pat BradleyParticipant]

Hi all,

After getting the Audient iD44 interface, I'm thinking it would be nice to have a compressor just to tame the signal going in. Sort of an all purpose compressor for vocals, guitars and bass. I don't have much money to spend. I've heard good things about the "FMR RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor" which is really inexpensive but unfortunately it only has 1/4" inputs. Are there any other suggestions out there? Many thanks.

-Pat

[JJ WrightParticipant]

From what I've gathered, I don't think there's much out there that's as good or better than the RNC at that price point. Why are 1/4" inputs a problem? They're balanced TRS and you can get TRS to XLR cables as needed.

Or were you thinking of plugging mics and instruments directly into that and then into the audient? That probably wouldn't work very well, you'd need to externally preamp the signal before going into most any compressor and then go line-level into the audient. Of course you can get a "channel strip" module that has a preamp and a compressor and probably an eq in one rack unit. Something like the ART Pro Channel or the dbx 286 might be what you're looking for, though I haven't heard either one so I can't speak for them.

[Pat BradleyParticipant]

Thanks fr the reply JJ! I'm realizing my ignorance. For some reason I thought XLR cables were "better".

I'm trying to avoid clipping before going into the audient. I'm wondering if there's a way to add a hardware compressor during tracking using the send/return on the 1st two inputs to achieve this... or are those only for material that you've already recorded. I actually did own a ART pro channel a while back, but found it added some hum and buzz to my signal.

[JJ WrightParticipant]

XLR cables usually are "better" than TS cables (like a guitar instrument cable) because TS cables are unbalanced. But there's not really a difference between a TRS and an XLR, just a different plug. TRS cables don't "lock" the way XLR cables often do, preventing accidental pull-out, so there's that, but otherwise, they're basically the same.

I have no idea about the Audient send and return functionality.

[Magnus EmilssonParticipant]

Hello Pat.

You can use the insert/return jacks for this purpose as they are before A/D conversion, so an RNC would work well for your intended purpose. Both units has balanced TRS connection so the _only_ difference between that and XLR are the connection (XLR is a bit sturdier and is harder to accidentally disconnect, but takes up way more physical space).
A small side note, buy/make/steal balanced TRS cables for the connection between the Audient and the RNC, do not use instrument cables.

/Magnus

• This reply was modified 3 years ago by Magnus Emilsson.

[Pat BradleyParticipant]

Great! That's what I was hoping. Thanks so much Magnus and JJ for your help.

[Jake Jones-williamsParticipant]

I would look at the klark teknik line. I have the kt76 (1176 “clone”) and it’s really great for tracking and mixing, especially considering I got it for what, £180 or something?
And yes, the send and return functions as you imagine, and is to be used when tracking.
I have and love my id22.

[Pat BradleyParticipant]

Funny. I was just watching a review of that yesterday. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I agree with Jake. The Klark Teknik 1176 clone is good value. Great for tracking.

[Pat BradleyParticipant]

I found a great deal on Reverb for a KT 1176 clone.  I actually really like it.  Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It works great for bass guitar as well as vocals.

[Author]

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