Compressor Pedal

[Jovianknight]

I am thinking of buying a compressor pedal. Let me get straight exactly what I think it does, and why I think I need it. And then correct me if I'm wrong!

I'm starting to home record more seriously, so I want better sounding recordings. From my understanding, a compressor pedal compresses the signal, making any glaringly loud.. ..strums/notes on guitar to come out less loud, and make it just sound better. Because there's no ridiculous variation in the volume of the sound.

If I get one, does it work the same way as say, a distortion pedal? (as in you connect it to the guitar and the amp, and then there's an on switch) Or is there a kind of compression that I can hookup to my mixer instead of having the compressed signal come out of the amp itself?

[moaner]

for recordings, you don't want a pedal. you want a specific rackmount style one.

the pedal ones are only for guitar, and generally are more for making solo's smoother than recording.

you described a limiter. a compressor also makes quiet signals loud, above a threshold.

[Jovianknight]

Ok. Well, a lot of stuff I record comes out with parts in the guitar where I strummed a little too loud, and it just sounds dumb. So, I suppose the same thing could happen with other instruments. I think I might also have a use for making quiet signals loud.

But this limiter thing is intriguing. So I would have a sound coming in, which would go through a mic, through the mixer and then I'd add this Limiter for it to go through next, before ending up on the computer? And the result would be a more level signal, with no odd points of extra loudness?

Any suggestions on the cheapest, most decent type?

[airborne50caliber]

get a rack compressor, you'll be able to use it for everything + you want to compress the tone that comes out of the amplifier, not amplify a compressed tone, it makes a lot of difference. behringher make some decent ones.

[Jovianknight]

After a bit of looking around, I am interested in this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/182472/

Behringer MDX1600 Autocom Pro-XL Compressor

It seems to suit my needs, does it not?

[airborne50caliber]

After a bit of looking around, I am interested in this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/182472/

Behringer MDX1600 Autocom Pro-XL Compressor

It seems to suit my needs, does it not?

its a GREAT compressor, i have the 2600 which is the same except for the de-esser, but I can vouch for it. It has all you'll even need in a compressor, 2channels, and eccellent circuitry.

[Jovianknight]

Just one more question. What is dual-channel? What does it do/what are the advantages? Does it just mean stereo?

[airborne50caliber]

dual channel means one of two things

1. two separate channels, basicly two compressors in one, although they can be linked as a stereo pair
2. one set of controls, which is applied to two separate audio signals. can work for stereo, as for two completely diff singals, with the downside tht u have the same settings for both channels.

so number 1 if the compressor has 2 separate and often identical control panels, and number 2 if you can see only 1. the behringer, for example, is number 1.