Compressor Question

[Nell]

I have the Motu Audio Express. I was wondering if you can setup a compressor with it? if so how would i route it up? just wondering, cause i dont want to buy one and realize i cant.

i was going to get this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-MDX46 ... compressor

[Prime Mover]

Hmmmm, I'm not sure you're in luck. The Audio Express doesn't have a conventional insert connection, so I think any standard plug-n-play insert routing is out of the question. But that said, MAYBE there's a way to send a channel out another output and through one of the line ins. But it would be kinda complex, and limited. You could probably route CueMix to send one input to a secondary output, then bring the compressed signal into one of the line-ins and record that. I have no idea whether you could get latency-free recording though.

If you do decide to get a line compressor, might I suggest taking a good hard look at the FMR RNC (Really Nice Compressor). They're kind of a legendary "cheap but very usable" line compressor that is built completely from a utilitarian perspective, and cuts costs in a lot of non-functional ways, which I really admire. It's ugly as sin, uses a cheap generic metal enclosure and power brick, then they take those savings and put them into more sophisticated electronic components, multiple serial compressors for a more transparent sound, very fast voltage tracking, etc. Also, they're tech support is second to none... I believe they're made and designed by a husband & wife duo (but I could be mixing that up with something else). They're sort of an SM57 of compressors, they're cheap, every studio has a couple, they're not sexy, but they very versatile and quite good to have around.

I'm not a behringer hater too, they make good inexpensive equipment from time to time. But I wouldn't buy any low-mid level line compressor without first giving the RNC a glance.

[Todzilla]

While outboard compression is still considered superior to virtual, I think you'd be much better off with virtual compression than using a Behringer.

Just my $.02

[Gravity Jim]

I almost bought a Behringer Compressor once, but I was lucky and had a chance to try it out first. This thing sucked SO badly that it actually colored the sound while in Bypass. Then, when you let it do what it was supposed to do, it pumped and wheezed and made itself known at every setting. Cheapest, slowest VCAs in life. Complete useless junk.

Also not Behringer-hatin' (although there are plenty of good reasons to do so): I'm just telling you that if they make any useable gear, a compressor isn't it.

[Prime Mover]

Hey, I have nothing against Behringer and their business philosophy (make stuff cheap). But you're right, there's a lot of stuff of there's I would NEVER buy. But when they get it right, they really get it right. Very good mid-range near field monitors, and my live sound friends say that their new digital consoles are amazing... blow Presonus out of the water and give Avid a run for their money.

Also, there are just some things that don't need to be good. Digital delay is digital delay no matter how you cut it. If I was looking for a cheap multi-effects unit to do stupid-simple processes, I'd look to Behringer first. Many companies charge a premium for useless crap. At least Behringer avoids that.

That said, a hefty percentage of their products are total crap, and you gotta really do your homework before you try to buy anything from them when you need quality.

[Gravity Jim]

The Behringer business philosophy isn't just "make stuff cheap." Their actual business philosophy is "stealing designs and hiding behind the German courts is cheaper than doing R&D." That's why I won't buy anything from them, cheap or not. If we all bought Behrginer, product development would grind to a halt, because they don't do any.

[Guitar Gaz]

The Behringer business philosophy isn't just "make stuff cheap." Their actual business philosophy is "stealing designs and hiding behind the German courts is cheaper than doing R&D." That's why I won't buy anything from them, cheap or not. If we all bought Behrginer, product development would grind to a halt, because they don't do any.

I am not sure they are any worse than other companies - you could say the same about lots of Japanese and now Chinese companies. That is what happens in business and the aim of originators should be to price competitively and make sure their product is superior to the cheap copy. I do have a couple of Behringer products which I don't use anymore - their mixers were good value and I am not sure they could be accused of stealing a design in that sense. But other products may be close to the wire - people have to make choices but you can't blame companies for trying to cash in on others R&D if the market is there.

[Gravity Jim]

Behringer has been repeatedly sued by DBX, Aphex, Peavey, Roland, Mackie and others and have either been ordered to pay damages or settle out of court in most cases because they DO steal patented circuits and trade dress designs. (Mackie's case was throw out, I believe.). They've also been heavily fined by the FCC for ignoring import rules. Stealing designs and manufacturing in whatever sweatshop in China has some unused capacity is far cheaper than designing the products yourself.

This isn't accusation or opinion, but documented fact. Again, I wouldn't own a Behringer product, partly because the company is evil but mostly because the gear just plain sucks.

[Guitar Gaz]

But like a lot of people I didn't know about any of this when I bought their stuff - its the sort of thing you learn later. Its not morally correct but then a lot of business is not morally correct. I wouldn't buy their stuff now either, but out of choice to do with quality (I have known about their business practice for some time now). The world of business (including the music business) is full of cheating and stealing - its an amoral world in that respect.

[HCMarkus]

They advertise their approach to product design overtly: Note the bell icon and emphasis on the "Ringer" pronunciation of the firm name in early Behringer ads.

[Shooshie]

Well, when I was looking for a very specific set of features in a small keyboard, Behringer was the only one that provided everything i wanted. The UMA25S was and remains the only keyboard that's so perfectly suited to continuous data control via MIDI or USB. I mean, I made a long list of what I wanted, and I went looking through every small (about 24 keys) keyboard out there, and while they all did part of what I wanted, the Behringer was the only one that literally could have been made from my list. I have it hanging on a strap just a few feet away, and when I use it, I'm always delighted that it works so well. The knobs allow quick changes by simply running a finger up or down along the contoured edge. That's essential for continuous data recording.

I never paid attention to Behringer in the old days. Their stuff was not well documented, and it was hard to use. I paid the price for gear that worked easily and well. But some say that Behringer has rounded a bend, and that they're legit now. They're doing R&D. They've got their own factories (in China, of course), and they're making stuff that people are asking for. Just stuff I've heard. I first felt guilty buying a Behringer keyboard, but after using it I feel pretty darned smart for buying it. No guilt at all. Nobody else made one.

Shoosh

[mikehalloran]

I am not sure they are any worse than other companies

Oh really?

The first big lawsuit was won by Mackie against Behringer and Sampson (Sam Ash has a controlling interest in both and many products are identical) about 12 years ago. They forgot to remove the Mackie designers' names from the circuit board designs that they copied. It was the first of many such suits.

They do make some products nowadays that you can't find anywhere else. I like the studio monitor controller that I have. As a rule, I generally find that their products don't measure up.

[Shooshie]

I am not sure they are any worse than other companies

Oh really?

The first big lawsuit was won by Mackie against Behringer and Sampson (Sam Ash has a controlling interest in both and many products are identical) about 12 years ago. They forgot to remove the Mackie designers' names from the circuit board designs that they copied. It was the first of many such suits.

They do make some products nowadays that you can't find anywhere else. I like the studio monitor controller that I have. As a rule, I generally find that their products don't measure up.

Yeah, for years I avoided Behringer, because of stories like that one. I still don't know what to make of the company, but I'm pleased to report that some of their products, at least, are really class acts. I think the lawsuits put the fear of the law into them, and the head-guy realized he wasn't going to be successful if he kept doing that. I think he hired himself some designers and created some nice devices.

I hope some day the new stuff completely overpowers the old, and B. will become a company we can all trust.

Shooshie

[mikehalloran]

While outboard compression is still considered superior to virtual

Really? Says who? I haven't touched mine in years. How many of us are still using outboard compressors?

[fullertime]

The Behringer x-32 is one of the best digital boards on the market. (Our church has 4 of them now!)

It uses licensed Midas preamps and is stock full of features. I used to hate Behringer but this board is putting them in the "good" column...

As far as the original question... You would be much better off just using a virtual compressor than going through all of that to get, most likely, an inferior result!

On the other hand, If you had a vintage LA-2A or something... it may be worth it:)

Peace,
Fuller