PreSonus COMP16 Compressor/Limiter 1/3 Rack Space

Feature:
easy to use, hard to mess up, but that's the benefit of not having much control. really wish it had a gate or expander.

Quality:
I really like this little comp.

Value:
great for what it is. note, it's not a true 1/3U. It's too wide; 3 will not fit side-by-side in a tray.

Desirability:
pretty face, but analog meters are hard to read onstage.

Sound:
Clean, accurate, transparent.

Ease of Use:
too easy, wish it had a setting for at least one user preset.

Overall:
it's a bit pricey when a 2-ch alesis 3630 is the same cost, but if the compact size is appealing, it's a winner.

Overall:
I was really pleased with the presets on the Comp16, especially the vocal and keyboard ones. I've also found use for some of the others on sampled instruments. They're subtle, warm and realistic. I've used standard compressors such as the Alesis 3630 before, so I don't have a problem with adjusting the settings myself, but it can be very inconvenient if you need to switch between configurations quickly, especially in poor light. The Comp16 is therefore a much valued development in the dynamics field. One thing I don't like about it, though, is the casing. Whilst it has a very solid build that looks like it could survive rough handling and the occasional knock, the unit is very awkwardly shaped. It looks like it's a third-rack sized but it isn't - it's slight too high and too wide to fit on a rack with other third-rack units. Although the front faceplate is attractive and well laid out, the top of the unit, which becomes more important when it won't fit in a rack, is really rather ugly. It could also do with optional angled feet for the front underside so that the controls are properly visible in standalone situations - as, for example, its main market rival, Samson's C-com16, has. I guess the design is intended to encourage you to buy PreSonus' optional rack stand, which can hold six of these units and its sister products. But that's not much use if you don't want the others and it's expensive for what it is. The power supply unit is also rather large - indeed too big to fit alongside another one in a standard British mains power distribution board. Nevertheless, this product is worth buying if you're looking for a simple but quality compressor and you don't mind the dilemma of having to decide where exactly to keep it.