just for basic 4-tracking.

Alesis and Behringer look decent, but your experience wins

rack based only

nothing higher than $125

come on Terence I'll bet you know this shit better than me! :-)

hahha go with the alsis or behringer if you're on a budget.

i honestly don't like them for what i've used them for, but you're on a budget and looking to get the job done, so go for it.

ohhh i doubt you can find a dbx in that price range, but if you can (check ebay) DO IT!

DONT GET A ALESIS 3630, its garbage (unless you can get it for $25). The behringer (compser pro) is a pretty good bang for the buck. Get a rnc(reallynicecomressor - new $189). Or the cheaper dbx series (166 or 266) those are not bad. for under 125 i would shop ebay or get the behringer.

I've had good experience with behringer so far

MDX2600 Composer Pro-XL Compressor
------------------------------------------
The basic tools for optimal sound onstage and in the studio plus integrated dynamic enhancer, de-esser, tube simulation, and low-contour filter. Revolutionary IKA circuitry combines the advantages of hard- and soft-knee compression in a single dynamic function to deliver natural, transparent results. Also equipped with fully automatic and manually adjustable attack and release times, IGC peak-limiting circuit, selectable dual-mono or stereo, 12-segment display, switchable sidechain input with sidechain monitor function, and servo-balanced XLR and 1/4" I/O.


OR




Behringer DSP1424P Ultramizer Pro Processor
--------------------------------------------------
24-bit resolution; a powerful DSP engine with multi-band program-adaptive compression plus limiting, and intuitive operation deliver full-featured processing. Perfect for increasing loudness levels in recordings or PA setups. Includes a peak limiter, 3D stereo surround processing, noise reduction, transparent compression, exciter, super-bass enhancer, and an easy-to-operate interface.
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personally I'm inclined towards the 2600, digital bullshit scares me but I'd prefer not to get a seperate noise gate.
(DON'T TELL ME TO GET BOTH, ARGH!)

both are the same price

the hell, I don't even have a PC, big deal

i have used the behringer compressor/gates the gate parts SUCK and compression is fair. nothing i'd want to use on a good recording, but it does the trick for live sound.

Actually Lupos had 3 composer pros in there rack.

dbx 266 = $150 at guitar center. decent
dbx 166 = $250 @ gc better
dbx 1066 = 400 best economy compressor with gate

presonus acp22 = 300 good compressor and gate

fmr audio RNC $175 @ atlasaudio.com (they have an e-bay store) best damn compressor under $1000 but it is True Stereo NOT dual momo as the rest i mention and it has no gate built in.

joe meek and bellari both make decent stuff for a little more than you want to spend

there are tons of plugins available online or as part of other programs that work very well for free just tranfer your shit from 4-track to pc after it is recorded for alot of digital editing features

Behringer is a piece of shit don't buy it. Definitely go with a DBX. Its worth it! It's usually to buy shitty gear when you're going to have to buy the good shit later on.

I meant it's useless to buy shitty gear when you're goiing to have to buy the good shit later on.

I'll go with the dbx 266XL. This is just for demo shit, nothing album quality yet (I'm saving up for a nice Dean anyway)

dont bother with beringer

I have a couple of behringer thingies--not so terrible but I only use them for my bass rig.
Now my concern is with levelling out the signals and killing some hiss for 4-trk to mixdown.

SO . . . Do Behringer EQ's suck monkey-balls too?

recording and live sound are two different things.

they make too much different stuff and well they don't put any quality in any of it.

Refurb CLX-440 Dual Stereo Compressor

this one poop? it got very so-so reviews

id totally go with the dbx. they rock my socks.

OK, sold. I just need basic compressor plus I gotta put down some bucks for a new practice space at the end of the month so I'll go with the dbx 266. Found one for 150.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...category=23793&item=3723812915&rd=1 this is realy good if you dont know much about compression since it has auto settings which you can override but it has no gate

holy shit i want this what a fucking steal TL aduio is much better than dbx http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...category=23793&item=3723883127&rd=1 damn i wish i had $$$ this week

there are tons of dbx 266 on ebay for used for under 100
and the dbx 166 usually closes at 150-175 on ebay

awesome.