On-Air Processing
 

We are trying to decide on new processing. We are replacing an aging
8100/xt combo. We are trying to keep the price to around 7000.00 max.
I have had the opportunity to play with a couple different boxes the
past few days. The boxes are an 8200 SIG, and an Aphex 2020 MK III.
I was suprised by the results. I was a little skeptical about trying
the Aphex box. I always heard about Compellors and Dominators, but
there never seemed to be a lot of "jumping up and down" about the
2020. I've come to find out that the original 2020 left a lot on the
table as far as loudness is concerned. I've gotta tell you the 2020
MK III is a very sweet sounding box and loud. Compared to the 8200
the 2020 sounds very very clean and punchy. The high end on the 8200
sounds kinda gritty. The high end on the 2020 sounds very smooth and
crisp. Makes me wonder why people aren't buying up MK III's. I did
notice the AGC section on the 8200 can be pushed much more
aggressively than the 2020. 20db sec release time on the 8200
compared to about 5db sec on the 2020. I could never imagine using
something that agrressive though, especially in an AGC section.
ANYWAY HERE'S MY QUESTION. Is the sound I'm hearing from the 8200
typical from digital boxes or just from the 8200. I've read that the
8200 is a love hate type thing, but always figured it had to be pretty
good to sell as well as it did. I've gotta be honest, I'd take a
8100/xt combo or the 2020 anyday over that box. Which brings me back
to my question. Does analog always sound much sweeter than digital?
I'm thinking of demoing an 8300. How does the 8300 sound in
comparison to the 8200? I'm guessing it probably sounds completely
different. Does it have a "sweeter" sound or does it also have a
rather "numerical" sound also? How do the Omnia's stack up against
the Orban digital boxes? Who knows we may end up buying an Aphex box,
but I've been an Orban fan for about 26 years.


Thanks for your time,

Travis