$250 dollar compressors, A/D's, and preamps?

[naireko]

I have 200 bucks coming from a friend that owes me. He can charge the monery so that means GEAR! I am wondering about a preamp, a A/D converter, or a compressor. I have seen plenty of these compressors and such from Behringer, ART, and DBX. What should I get? This is what I got. Help me burn this 200 bucks. I have no preamps, A/D's, or decent compressors. The only suggestions I have gotten on here was for a DAT machine if I needed extra i/o.

The ART DI/O looks killer...a tube A/D/A for some personality (150.00), plenty of ART TUBE preamps and compressors for under 200. DBX compressors and preamps. What would work good with or without my Mackie 24*8 (straight to digi001 or before or after the board)?

I have...

A Digi001 with PT's 5.2
RealVerb
DVerb
A Lexicon Core 2 w/MP100 daughtercard
A LX20 ADAT
A JL Cooper DATASync 2
A JL Cooper CS-10
A JL Cooper Fadermaster
YAMAHA NS-10's
Reason 2.0
Peak 2.6 VST
A Mackie 24*8 board
An Alesis 3630 compressor (my only compressor)
A digitech Studio Quad FX processor
A Valley People 'Dyna-mite' expander/gate/limiter. (Should I use this on anything in particular? suggestions please othger than a gate).
A BBE Sonic Mazimizer (havent used in years for obvious reasons)
A Boss DR-5
A keyboard controller.
No DAT machine or standalone CDRW

[Phil O'Keefe]

If you want a compressor, don't waste your money on anything else - get a FMR RNC. Under $200, and probably the best compressor on the market for under a grand.

http://www.fmraudio.com

[naireko]

that's the kind of info I was looking for and probably exactly what I need. Keep em coming.

[Maceo]

How about a semi-decent microphone or two?
If your a guitarist, how about a Line6Pod? I've seen them for about $250.

[naireko]

I got a Marshall and a sm57 but a POD is a possibility, good suggestion. I have heard about those.

[Kamurah]

Phil hit the nail on the head.

There is nothing that can touch the RNC sonically for less than 1000.00

....And really there is nothing I can recommend for less than 200 that will improve your sound as MUCH as it will. It is one of the few inexpensive units that will continue sit in your rack for years to come, and even when you have more expensive gear.

I rate it as a "must have". [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Cheers

[where02190]

There's nothing except the RNC for $200 that is worth the money.

[Gabriel Roth]

the RNC is awesome. gotta love it.

but also consider: the Studio Projects VTB1 mic pre. just got one. like it a lot.

their C1 condenser mic is also worth considering.

[naireko]

Cool, maybe I'll get one from Fletcher, I see mercenary audio has them. I doidnt see the C1 mic but this is the kind of thing I was looking for anyways. I'm still open to suggestions for preamps and such.

[naireko]

The RNC is advertised as stereo but iyt is only 1/2 rack size and only has controls for one side so basically it isn't dual mono? that sux *****