Studio multiband compressors

I’ve personnally mostly used this Quad Compressor live. It was old and looked used and battered, but it still worked wonder. It’s a really sturdy and reliable model! Up to par with the manufacturer’s reputation. Its features can easily be found through your favourite search engine. Very well-finished, especially considering how old mine was : it had been used for years and years but was still fully functional (LEDs, selectors and knobs – even though some of them are a little sunk inside…). It’s sturdily built, for sure! Its connectors are great too. Soundwise, I found it made a great job in live performances. It brings character to the vocals, allowing them to remain natural-sounding while sticking out in the mix. The automatic options for the knee, attack and release settings allow to set them on-the-fly before tweaking them more precisely, increasing the unit’s flexibility. It also makes it suitable for all users. I never had an opportunity to try it in the studio or for recording purpose, so I won’t judge it but I’m not worried about its suitability in such circumstances. What is sure is that you can really hear the setting changes, while retaining a great clarity. The kicks get thicker, the snares keep their proper tones. I got totally seduced, and my current 01V96V2’s integrated comp sounds like a lightweight compared with it. Getting four compressions of such a high quality for the price I paid it (a hundred euros for a very used unit): what more can you ask? I owned another rack with two BBE comp – no contest, the Klark was way better! I only rate it 4 stars due to my own unability to judge of its qualities in the studio, but I have no ill to say of it. Please note I’m not a professional user, only a rather enlightened amateur, self-taught user.

The DBX Quantum is a dual channel compressor made with all class A circuits that has XLR connections for both channels and is a rack mountable unit that will take up two rack spaces. UTILIZATION The configuration of the DBX Quantum is very easy to follow as it has the basic parameters that you usually see on compressors. The large knobs control threshold and compression, and has smaller knobs for release and attack. There are also a series of buttons on each channel for controlling a variety of options including what shows up on your meter. I don't have a the manual for the Avalon AD2044, but it really isn't necessary as I'm assuming if you are using a top notch piece of gear like this you have used a basic compressor before. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of the DBX Quantum is really great for all types of applications, as I have used this on everything from drums to vocals. It has a great deal of warmth to it that is not often found on most compressors. It has enough parameters on it to make sure that you can easily zero in on the sound that you are looking for. This compressor really can do it all and is an extremely versatile piece of gear. In addition to all sorts of drums including kick drum, snare drum, and tom toms, I've used the Avalon DBX Quantum on both male and female vocals, as well as for electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, and is desirable for just about any instrument you can think of... OVERALL OPINION I've been using the DBX Quantum for about a year and its become one of my favorite compressors to use whenever I have the chance to use it. Its great to have two high quality compressors in one casing that are both versatile and easy to use. The price of the DBX Quantum is pretty expensive, but Avalon makes high end gear for professionals looking for top notch quality regardless of the price. Overall, the quantum is a truly great compressor that should be tried by all professional engineers.

The Tube Tech SMC 2B is a stereo multi-band compressor is extremely high end and is just about as good as you can get when it comes to stereo multi-band compressors. It is an analog unit, tube based unit that has XLR connections. It is rack mountable and will take up three rack space units. UTILIZATION The configuration of the Tube Tech SMC 2B is pretty easy to follow if you have any experience with compressors, but will take a bit of getting used to for those who aren't as familiar with the make up of compressors and specifically multi-band compressors. There are three bands on this compressors, with parameters in the form of knobs for threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain. There are then knobs for X-over high and low, as well as balance ,and output gain. Each band also has a meter and there is also a switch to bypass the compressor. I don't have the manual for the Tube Tech SMC 2B, but it is probably a good thing to have if you are not familiar with the make up of Tube Tech compressors. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of the Tube Tech SMC 2B is absolutely outstanding. I can pretty much guarantee that you've heard this used on a record before, as it is widely used by professional engineers. It is great for any type of application, but excels for stereo bus compression and mastering, as well as for vocals and other instruments. I can't say enough about the real warmth and depth that this compressor produces. The Tube Tech SMC 2B is just a great sounding unit and is one of the best in its class. OVERALL OPINION I've been using the Tube Tech SMC 2B for about a year and it is one of the best, if not the best stereo multi-band compressor that I have used. It has a ton of control over your tone available, and is great for just about any application. The Tube Tech SMC 2B is extremely expensive and is designed for professional engineers. If you have the chance to use this, you must take advantage!