Rack mount compressor which is the best one.

[6stringbassist]

I'm after a rackable compressor, and it's between the following.

DBX160A

DBX166XL

Ashly CLX52E

Drawmer DL241


The 160A is something of an industry standard, and seems to be pretty easy to use. The 166XL has more features, but is £120 less.

The other two are a bit of an unknown.

So does anyone have experience of any of them, and which one is the quietist, and least coloured one.

Edited October 7, 2007 by 6stringbassist

[stevebasshead]

This site might help [url="http://www.ev-b.com/compressors.html"]http://www.ev-b.com/compressors.html[/url]. It doesn't cover all the models you mention but makes for interesting reading anyway.

[The Funk]

I have the Drawmer. I'm new to compressors so I can't really provide a decent review.

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='stevebasshead' post='71039' date='Oct 8 2007, 01:42 PM']This site might help [url="http://www.ev-b.com/compressors.html"]http://www.ev-b.com/compressors.html[/url]. It doesn't cover all the models you mention but makes for interesting reading anyway.[/quote]

Thanks, that link's really good!

[stevebasshead]

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='71641' date='Oct 9 2007, 04:10 PM']Thanks, that link's really good![/quote]

IIRC it was written by a BC'er, if my dodgy memory serves me I think that's how I came across it in the first place. All credit to one of our own in that case

[Silent Fly]

It is not in the list and strictly speaking is not a "pure" compressor but I love the compressor section of my Presonus Eureka. One of the best compressors I ever tried + it has a very nice EQ

[url="http://presonus.com/eureka.html"]http://presonus.com/eureka.html[/url]

[fretmeister]

The Ashly units are well respected. I've seen them in the rigs of Billy Sheehan and Vic Wooten.

Not sure about the model number though.

[thumbo]

the DBX 160A is great, it's become an essential part of my rig because it seems to add something really nice to my sound. Even when it's not compressing, it sounds good.