Reddit mentions: The best compressors & gates effects processors

boy you're just a ray of sunshine, huh XD

DBX is certainly popular, but definitely not a "standard in the industry." it is SOMETIMES used in studios for severe compression for things like drums or untamed acoustic guitars...that being said, VO vocals sound nice with severe compression as well, so it's okay for that application, but far from a general-purpose compressor and more geared toward live applications rather than studio.

with the DBX, you're painting in very broad strokes, but something like the TDR Kotelinkov has more versatility and will absolutely still sound fantastic (despite merely "mimicking hardware compression")...plus, again, FREEEEEE

unless you're really riding the line very close to CPU capacity, a single track DAW project with a few VSTs won't impose much CPU load, and most streamers already have fairly nice machines, so that expense is already covered.

allllll that being said, don't get me wrong, a good hardware compressor is a fantastic tool. I personally use a FMR RNC. however, I truly think that most of your readers would benefit from software solutions rather than hardware solutions. most are trying to find the most affordable route and are discouraged by being told they should buy more gear. plus, most streamers seem to use UBS mics as well.

Im looking to upgrade my audio into a xlr setup from a usb mic. I broadcast on Twitch (live streaming service) and I have some questions about what equipment would be best for my application.

For my mic, I was going to purchase the Rode NT1
Is a condensor mic best for what I'll be doing? (Disclaimer: I yell a lot)

I was going to purchase the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Is it worth it to purchase this two channel audio interface, or should I buy the single input version for a cheaper price? I'm only going to be using a single mic, but I read that the quality of the 2i2 build is a bit better.

My final question is on whether or not I should purchase a Compressor/Gate to reduce clipping when I yell, or is it possible or to compress my audio with a software program? Trying to see if dropping the money on the compressor would be worth it. This is the compressor/gate I was looking at: DBX 266xs

Thanks ahead of time! I really do appreciate your help! :)

This is the exact one I am using:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NDJRKO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before I ask my dumb question, wanted to give a big thank you! Pretty much ready to throw in the towel here.

Alright: So do I apply any gain on my mixer? The microphone volume knob, and the stereo out knob both give volume. I've been using these to avoid mouth sounds. I then added more volume via the compressor's output. I kept the gain knob on the mixer all the way to the left.

Here's a picture of the mixer: http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/MG10XU-10-Channel-Mixer-with-Effects/J06370000000000-00-500x500.jpg

If I apply gain on the mixer, how do you stop mouth sounds? Tried everything from green apples to drowning myself.

Alright dude. I'll start with this and come back with the results. Would that be okay?

If you want to do it properly, you will want a USB Mixer that has both built in FX and Insert channels such as the Mackie ProFX8v2

And a dynamics processor Expander/Gate/Compressor/Limiter such as the DBX 166xs.

The mics connect to the mixer, then you use 2 Insert TRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve) cables to run each mic into channel 1 and 2 on the back of the processor.

Inserts allow you to send audio to a processor and then back, all on the same cable (Example https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/STP201). It utilizes the 2 channels of a standard TRS connector, one to send, one to receive.

Because you have 2 mics in close proximity, the Expander and Gate will help limit spill from the other person talking further away, the compressor and limiter brings your dynamic range closer and boosts levels to increase your clarity.

This video explains how Inserts work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFArc1ZJdQw

Microphone:

• Audio-Technica AT2020 is totally solid (not the USB version obviously)
  
• Rode NT-1A would be a proper step up from there
  
  Since you're aiming to do everything in hardware, you will need a mixer, the Mackie 802vlz4 would be a decent option. Any Mixer that has solid preamps and effect inserts on the microphone channels will do here. Normally I'd prefer just using an audio interface, but they don't have inserts for hardware effects or volume controls for individual channels which you do need here.
  
  There are lots of mixers with integrated USB interfaces, but they don't usually allow you to send audio from the PC into the mixer and then back, they're just intended to allow recording the whole mix and often don't have proper drivers so they end up adding delay.
  
  Since this Mixer is purely analog, you need to add a really minimalistic audio interface like the ESI U24 XL or the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (which would already be somewhat overkill since it has mic preamps which you don't need).
  
  Finally, you need a proper compressor. For this part, someone else might have more to offer, don't have a very good overview over the market when it comes to hardware units like this.
  
  
• The DBX 266 XS should be very solid, has compressor and Gate/Expander
  
• FMR Audio RNC 1773 really nice, but more expensive option, and doesn't have a gate. You'd need to get another device for that purpose if you go for this one.
  
  This would be coming in at around $470 plus microphone. More if you go with the FMR compressor and a separate gate/expander.
  
  Oh, setup:
  
  Microphone -> Mixer -> Mixer FX insert -> Compressor/Gate -> Mixer FX return. The FX insert/return is actually one jack on the mixer, you need a splitter cable from stereo 1/4" to 2x mono 1/4" to use it.
  
  Mixer Master out -> USB Interface
  
  USB interface out -> Mixer (one of the stereo channels)
  
  Mixer headphone out -> well, headphones ;)

For the microphone stand if you ever wanna change it...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSA1Rode--rode-psa1-professional-studio-boom-arm

These are excellent, I'm pretty sure Joe Rogan uses these now... can't remember. And he uses the SM7B so that was a noteworthy mention in your post.

For your other stuff...

https://www.amazon.com/dbx-166xs-Professional-Compressor-Processor/dp/B004NDJRKO/

Pick up one of these one day. You don't seem to use a limiter, your strip doesn't have one, and this will handle that, and this would solve the volume extremities issue with your stream where my wife gives me that look because you start yelling at some alt-right dipshit after I could barely hear you talking a second earlier. Thanks.

Then I would change out your mixer one day. It might have some noise you aren't happy with in the preamps (maybe not), and if so try one of these out. Allen and Heath is famous for having completely perfect preamps

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZED60-10FX--allen-and-heath-zed60-10fx-mixer-with-usb-and-effects

They make a much smaller one as well if you don't need that many channels, obviously.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZED6FX--allen-and-heath-zed-6fx-mixer-with-effects

But I'm not sure if it's up to the same standards and if you do that deal where you send some audio back in from the mic out on the computer, I always forget the terminology that podcasters made for that trick. Basically to isolate who is talking to you and put it into the mixer directly and you hear it and your audience hears it, and you can turn them down, etc... On my allen and heath I had to mess with it a bit to make that work right. Something to consider.

If you don't already use a RACK, might as well.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Desktop-Frame-Components-RK8OD/dp/B01NBPL8OP/

And I'd advise something like a power conditioner in the rack as well, keeps the gremlins out. I'm paranoid about sound, I use their cheaper power strips for my setup and it feels like it makes a difference, but maybe I'm tricking myself.

https://www.amazon.com/Furman-Conditioning-Outlets-Spacing-Voltmeter/dp/B00145EVJ6/

Just little things, but they probably won't be worth it overall. Stuff you might add to an amazon list or something. I'm a list guy. ;)

I'm thinking of buying this compressor
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DBX-266XS-Dual-Compressor-Gate/dp/B004NDFRVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483828816&sr=8-1&keywords=compressor+rack

along with a mixer and at2035.

Also would i need phantom power to make this work or would i receieve that from the mixer or rack?

Any ideas on the mixers? Thank you for all your help as usual ;)

I'm confused on how to change my setup to only use the compressor/limiter/gate on channel 1 (or use both channel 1 & 2) of my mixer.

I have a A&H ZED-10FX, dbx 166xs, and a focusrite solo.

Currently I have the mic going into channel 1 XLR of the mixer, the main L & R XLR out going into channel 1 XLR of the dbx 166xs, and channel 1 XLR out to the focusrite XLR in and then out to USB to the computer.

I know this is not the proper way to set this all up but it has worked for a few months okay now.

Now I want to isolate the compressor/limiter/gate so that it only works on channel 1 of the mixer so that I can add in another input to it that isn't affected by the dbx.

I would prefer to only use 1 channel on the dbx if that's possible to avoid.

It looks like the mixer does not have a single insert per channel, but I do see a L & R 1/4" main mix insert. I think I need to somehow utilize that for the dbx and then just output to usb recording on the mixer and ditch the focusrite. I tried reading the manual for the mixer but it went way over my head as I'm pretty green to this kind of audio equipment.

Make sure you get a limiter before your mixer so the sound guy can't accidentally blast your ears and gear with a super loud monitor signal. You have no control over his signal if it gets too loud other than to pull the in-ears out. Your gear is still getting clipped big time and you can't hear.

something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/rolls-CL151-Comp-Limiter-Gate/dp/B0002MSI7S/

I guess I was a little too optimistic with my price range - Pretty much any stereo compressor would do the trick, and you may be able to find some used in your area at a retailer.
Online, you could get this guy for about $120 used, or this one new for $129.

Again, sorry about that - I thought they were cheaper by now.

No. Once its in the cable, the signals don't know how to merge properly. You wouldn't hear each side clearly, you'd just hear a loud, hellish screeching, and probably blow out your headphones, if not short out more things.

You'd need an actual channel merger. Something like this, which is just an example I found on Amazon. You probably don't need one that's a full on amplifier as well, but 'twas the first thing of the right type to come up. I'm sure there's much cheaper ones if you looked around.

Damn you I wish I had a 303 haha. I bought an external compressor to make up for mfx 12 (I'm not a fan of it). This thing is beast, and the two modes are so different it's kinda crazy how much you can use this to shape your sound over the 404sx.

No problem.

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I've done quite a bit home studio recording and I can tell you that any mixer that has a decent compressor / noise gate built in is going to be in the hundreds of dollars. You're better off getting something that's stand alone like the product below in addition to the mixer.


https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MDX2600-Reference-Class-2-Channel-Compressor/dp/B0002E4ZKU

You can add an audio compressor
https://www.amazon.com/ART-USED004000-SCL2-Compressor/dp/B00LLIGOH8/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1483461025&sr=8-12&keywords=audio+compressor+limiter
to your system for about 150 bucks that will keep ANY input within a range that you select.
Commercials are ALWAYS louder that the show, blame Madison Avenue.