One of the reasons for placing a compressor in the signal chain before hitting HD is that there is less quantisation error in the upper bits, and the compressor should bring up your level (as well as stop it hitting 0dBFS)

A limiter will help stop clipping.

Im not sure if you can place a compressor plug on an input channel.....I must check it out in SX

Also, like HC said, certain high end compressors add colour/character to signal.

I'm not sure if that can be done effectively either. One way may be to route a "real time" compressed by software signal to another output and record it back in that way - what a head fuck! PC internal routing like this isn't an option when recording multiple ins....Also I wonder how latency would effect this? Come to think about it, how could you run the comp before pedals, FX or amps - like I said, what a head fuck!

Anyway....

I think I've finally decided. I've read up heaps over the past few days and I'm settling into my choice.

I'm gunna go for the FMR RNC and still grab the DBX160a for bass. The RNC is raved about all over and for the cash nothing seems to come close. This should tide me over for the basics.

Thanks to all that spoke out! :D

You are more than welcome, HC!

Cheers!

-Alex

OK.... Bought an FMR RNC here in Ausi and took it round to a mates place to test out yesterday. Cheaper here in Ausi, but still more expensive than the US.

Damn fine units for the money!!! Can't believe how they keep the high end intact for a start. Went straight it compressor no-no teritory - masive gain reduction, pumping/breathing and generally pushing the thing hard straight off the mark. Could not trip it up at all!

For clean transparent stereo compression, definitely recomend it.

Nice one HC....

They also have a RNLA (Really nice levelling amplifier) in the same vain as LA2a etc...

I might look into something from FMR one day

Yeah, looked into those ones as well, but decided on the RNC - There are other things I'd like to get for "colour" instead of the RNLA. This time transparant seemed more important, so I went for the RNC.

For the money they are great units for sure Jase. Definitely worth a look/listen.