A friend of mine has a TC Electronic Triple C (mono) and a DBX DDP (stereo) for sale. Which one of these would be a better all around choice IYO? Most of the time to be used as a tracking comp for guitars and vocals. However, if one of these comps shines with other uses... ? Appreciate any input you might have.

the dbx unit is a digital unit.
 
why not just work in the box then?
 
i like dbx, the analog units.
personally would not bother with a digital one, especially one they discontinued something like 12 years ago...
 
 
and if your tracking in MONO,
you only need a mono compressor.
 
the triple c is 17 years old.
 
again, another digital compressor....
even older than the dbx.
 
i would imagine most modern plug-ins would give you a better option.
 
 

Thanks batsbrew - Yeah I know they're digital and older. They are actually new/old stock and at great prices. I'm thinking of trying one of them for taming a signal prior to ITB, otherwise you're right it has been ITB compressors for me.

be aware,
that using an external compressor to 'tame' the level going in,
also permanently applies its own tonal 'color' to the signal,
as well as the compression effect..
 
which is GREAT if you have a compressor you really love the sound of...
 
otherwise, when recording without any external effects, just be careful with the way you gain stage at input levels,
be very consistent with your recording technique (applies a lot to vocal takes),
and use whatever flavor of compressor plugin you have, after the fact.....this
will give you the MOST flexibility.
 
 
i do this now,
and use various plugs for color and control (waves L1, C1, Rcomp mostly)
 

Thanks batsbrew, That's true and is the reason I've not used compression on the input. I have always wanted to experiment with some light compression prior to hitting the converter while tracking vocals and guitars.
 
The reviews from users and others are decent on both of these units. I will probably buy one of them, I posted mainly to find out if you or others had used one of these two compressors in the past for tracking.
 
Should I not like it, it will be fairly easy to sell and recoup the investment.

batsbrew
...if your tracking in MONO,
you only need a mono compressor...

 
I often daisychain the left and right channels for a 2-stage compression on a mono signal.

Kev999

batsbrew
...if your tracking in MONO,
you only need a mono compressor...

 
I often daisychain the left and right channels for a 2-stage compression on a mono signal.

Do you use your dbx when tracking - do you like it?

i use a dbx MC-6 while tracking.
i've used it for a long time,
and i dig the tone.
 
it is a stereo compressor, that has a mono side,
i only ever use the one stage while tracking, 
then apply another level during mixdown.

Thanks batsbrew. I think I'll give the dbx a try. I don't need 2 channels - but could use them both in a acoustic gtr / vocal track. Like I said, the unit is really brand new, never sold - just really old at this point. But the price...   :)

musicroom

Kev999
I often daisychain the left and right channels for a 2-stage compression on a mono signal.

Do you use your dbx when tracking - do you like it?

 
It's not my first choice. It's ok for guitar or percussion, but not so good for vocals.