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Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10052

Posted: 08:52am 01 Oct 2026

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Many exist in 19" rack form, with controls up the backside, but I just want a simple compressor/expander with VERY little controls, that will boost quite bits, and turn-down loud bits, WITHOUT needing to have a degree in audio engineering to use the bloody thing.

Does anyone have any suggestions or links?

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

Revlac

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Joined: 31/12/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1309

Posted: 09:44am 01 Oct 2026

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Well at the time I didn't know much about them and had a look, Here a lot popped up and is quite a selection and yes mostly rack mount. DBX Compressor Limiter, seen else wear is low price.

Now a while back Audacity was able to do some of this sort of work on a track, might be worth a try.

Cheers Aaron
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Chopperp

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Joined: 03/01/2018
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Posts: 1134

Posted: 02:05pm 01 Oct 2026

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Silicon Chip put out this many years ago.
Probably not want you want though.
Also, the SA571 compander chip may be hard to get as well.

Brian

ChopperP

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
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Posted: 08:45pm 01 Oct 2026

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The NE571 is available on Ebay 16pin DIP for ~$1AU each in lots of 10

Jim

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Grogster

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Posted: 04:46am 02 Oct 2026

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@ Aaron: Yeah, those are the things I can get quite easily from many different music instrument stores, but they are COVERED in knobs and switches and I just find them too complicated to setup and use. Also, I want to put this in place at a village community hall in front of the mixer, and anything with lots of knobs and switches will not only confuse the residents, but some residents will not be able to stop themselves from twiddling knobs and pushing buttons, and will screw up all the settings. I could hide a rack-type unit behind locked doors, I suppose, but still...

@ Brian: YES, that is the kind of thing I am wanting, and now that you linked me to it, I remember that article. I am pretty sure I have that issue in my SC collection, so I will dig up that issue and have a wee read.

@ Jim: Authentic or fakes I wonder....

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Grogster

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Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10052

Posted: 05:10am 02 Oct 2026

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eBay do indeed seem to be selling authentic, laser-engraved Philips brand SA571N's, so I ordered some.

LINK...

Seller has a history of over 500,000 trades, and feedback of 99.6% so these are probably the genuine article, and the seller is an honest one.
Edited 2026-10-02 15:23 by Grogster

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