Joemeek C2 Stereo Compressor

Very easy to set up. The only thing keeping me from giving it a 10 is the weird metering and bypass function. I bought it used and didn't get the original manual. But joemeek.com has all Manuals online as PDFs, even for discontinued products.

Sounds great. Impossible to overload, but the the sound does get some kind of "edge" when pushed hard. Nothing nasty, just some "attitude". I use it in the studio mainly for drum overheads and live for the whole drum submix. It also works great on hiphop DJ submixes

Hasn't failed me so far.

No experience yet.

This compressor is definitely better at "making sound", as opposed to just controlling levels. It ROCKS. Although you can adjust it subtly, so that you don't seem to notice it, you'll definitely miss it when bypassed. In the studio, I like it better during mixdown, it's too effective for tracking. The only downside, i.m.h.o., is that the bypass switch is before the output gain, so that you can't really compare the processed and unprocessed signals.

Since this compressor doesn't have a ratio knob, you set the amount of compression by adjusting the Input Gain and Compression knobs in tandem. Just follow the instructions in the manual, and you'll be getting good sound out of it within minutes.

This is a bit hard to judge, because the Joemeek has a very particular sound. It tends to thicken the signal and add a little sparkle to the highs. If you like the Joemeek sound in general, then you'd probably give this unit a 10.

I've only used it for a couple of months, but I haven't had a problem with it.

I've used the C2 on drum tracks and individual instrument tracks. I've even used it in a mastering situation (which is certainly not what most people would use it for). When I first started using it, I was annoyed by the lack of a ratio knob, but now that I'm used to this little box, I'm quite pleased with its flexibility. Providing that I want its particular sound applied to a track, I can usually dial-in the right amount of compression.

Well not very hard to use.

Here's my problem!!.. No matter how i choose to set the "compression" or "attack" or any of the other settings, i cant seem to really tell the compressed sound from the un-compressed. Perhaps a LITTLE brigther sound with comp going, but thats all. REALLY.. that was a complete waste of money for me!..

never tried it at a gig

dont know .. but i heard they were cool..

Well to put it mildly, i'd almost rather use a Boss CS-3 (guitar pedal) instead of this C2 thing. And i'm not even compressing guitar sounds, its VOCALS i'm after.. At least with the CS-3 you can hear difference between comp "on/off" !!!...

Or maybe i'm just an idiot for wanting to actually HEAR a difference?..

Well, it's super easy if you know the basic functions of a compressor. If not, read the manual.

Very easy to use. I normally use this unit to compress bass tracks, and it works like a charm, gives it a great smooth sound. I've also used it on pianos, and it works great on pianos as well. Just for the heck of it, I tried it on vocals, and well, lets just say it's not made for vocals. I use this compressor with other compressors in the studio like composers, and dbx 166's, and this one definately has a nicer, warmer sound, while the other ones have more of a digital precision type sound. I do use it in live situations, but it doesn't always work as well as it would in the studio, becase of stage volume issues, and all that other crap. I would usually leave this toy for the studio.

Well, i keep it in a rack, and it's never gettin beat on, so it's very dependable, and I wouldn't need a backup, but i would use another one in a heartbeat.

Haven't had to talk to them.

Like I said earlier, very good studio toy for bass, piano, and I guess on similair instruments. I've used it on classical music, and on rock and gospel projects as well. It does the job beautifully. It gives the bass a definite punch and warmth, that you wouldn't expect from some of the crappy basses that have been put through this compressor, it works magic.

10- A few dials to turn. Two inputs on the back. Two outputs on the back. A bypass button for the compressor. No technical terms, just "INPUT", "OUTPUT", "COMPRESSION", "ATTACK", "RELEASE". How easy can it get.

If you like the sound of 60's records - especially Brit 60's -- Get JoeMeek. Don't be afraid to really crank up the input and to use the fastest possible attack setting.
The photo optic design is quasi-tube and quasi-solid state. It is a transitional technology from the 60's that has been updated for our times. It is similar to the technology that was used in 60's era stereo compressors, especially the LA models made by UREI.
The compression is produced by light producing diodes which light-up and cause resistors to respond to the increased light and heat. (I think.)
It's not digitally precise. But it's warm, punchy, clean and very bright. It almost sounds like there is a high-end enhancer hidden in this box.

I hope I can depend on it. I've had the VC3 for 1 1/2 years, and it's still working.

Fantastic! The people at http://www.joemeek.com have always responded fast to my questions.

If you can find a cheaper, better and cleaner sounding stereo compressor, buy it and let me know what it is. I'll buy one too.