Waves is currently running a 40% discount on all plugs.
So, how about you get this: http://www.waves.com/Content.aspx?id=9297 and The Glue and never ever buy another compressor?

you can get my Alesis 3630 for free.

My friend just bought a Focusrite Compoudner. It's an older piece of hardware but you can get them for a good price. I have seen posts on forums that call out the Compounder as a good choice for dance music. Might be worth looking at.

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What crazy shit are you guys doing with compressors that merit such expenditure?

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quote:

Originally posted by Eric J You are going to have to spend a hell of a lot more than $300 if you want a hardware compressor that sounds better then a similarly priced compressor plugin. Hardware compressors in that price range aren't generally very good.

I agree - if you're looking for hardware which is going to impart some "high end sonic character" you'll need to spend a good chunk of money. Of course, there may be a particular (lower priced) hardware compressor which you know personally and want the sonic character of for a specific reason (but it doesn't sound like that's the case from your post).

Hardware compressors and EQs can easily run into many thousands of dollars. (and microphones - when I was doing my diploma of music production I used some very nice microphones in the studio the school had - I'd never appreciated the difference a really high end mic made before that).

Depending what stage you're at, it may be worth just sending individual songs to mastering studios which have really expensive hardware, if you're wanting to see what it can do for your sound.

quote:

Originally posted by Lunar Phase 7 What crazy shit are you guys doing with compressors that merit such expenditure?

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Just like Eric said get your hands on some waves plugins otherwise if you want an comparable hardware compressor you're going to blow a lot more than $300.

And why are you looking for a hardware compressor? Are you really just looking for better sound?
If you're having issues with your mixes feel free to let us know what they are. You likely don't need a hardware compressor or even a better compressor at all.

Elysia do a good buss compressor for under a thousand, but thats the cheapest I'd go for.

No you don't need one, and no you won't really know what to do with it if you have one, so no, you shouldn't buy one.

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Whats wrong with using a compressor that comes with Ableton for instance?

quote:

Originally posted by Whip_lash Whats wrong with using a compressor that comes with Ableton for instance?

Every compressor has certain characteristics, both in terms of how they compress (the shape of their knee, the available ratios, attack and release times) but also in the way they color the sound even when it's not being compressed. For most intents and purposes the compressor supplied with your DAW will be fine. For sidechaining I'm happy to use the Cubase compressor. For other things I'll generally go with a Waves compressor.

Many of us will never feel a particular need for a hardware compressor, just like many of us won't feel a need for a hardware synth. To each their own, there are many ways to make great sounding music!

quote:

Originally posted by Whip_lash Whats wrong with using a compressor that comes with Ableton for instance?

Different compressors have their own sonic character and some just sound better than others. It's really more about how you use it but once you now what to listen for and for which applications you can use which you can really expand your sonic palette.

EDIT: I see my post was along the same line as derail's.

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