Good sound, solid build, but awkwardly shaped 
by Steve Cooke from Stockton-on-Tees, UK, August 2008
Music Background:  Hobbyist songwriter

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 it is 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 also rather expensive for what it is. The power supply unit is also rather large - indeed too large to go 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 having the dilemma of deciding where exactly to keep it.

  This is it!! 
by H from San Jose, CA, July 2007
Music Background:  Pro Musician, Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer

This product is awsome to say the least. Most people give it low review because of the lack of adjustable variables, but thats why it has the different presets. You are only supposed to use this unit to catch the signal where it peaks off at. This way you get a solid line of volume instead of peaking off at certain places. I have used this compressor and let me tell you, it will only sound as good as whats going into it. so if you have trash, it will sound like trash. The VTB-1 Will do just fine.

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK!!!!!!! 
by G. B. Scott from Allentown, PA USA, February 2006

The audio quality of the Comp16 is simply incredible. I don't know alot about using a compressor, so the presets are really a big help. I might get a couple more Comp16's or maybe just move up to the ACP88. But I'll will surely keep the Comp16.

Stop the Screaming! 
by B.Horner from Nashville, TN USA, January 2006

When you have a play by play and/or color analyst that can go from zero to 120 dB in 100 ms; it is impossible to ride gain to prevent "splatting." This is the answer. Go line out from your mixer to the input of the Comp 16, xlr out to your transmission device and your problem is solved. I set mine for vocal 2 and about 11 o'clock in and 12 o'clock out. Where were you years ago.

Superb! 
by B. Pickard from Valdosta, GA, September 2005

Quick, Simple, and Effective. From out of the box to recorded acoustic track in less than 5 minutes. I use my Comp16 in conjunction with my TUBEPre and it makes a killer combination. As a studio engineer as well as FOH engineer, I would highly suggest this compressor!

Finally an easy compressor! 
by M.Knox from Philadelphia, Pa., January 2005

Finally someone who thinks of the little people. This unit is all what it is cracked up to be for the price. I have only tried a few of the presets but the ones I tried are awesome and on point. The compression is subtle and stays warm. I use it mainly for vocals for wich there are 3 settings for and I love it. For me its very accurate. I tested some of the other settings on the vocals and some were also very good. Sorry I couldnt tell you more about what it does for instruments but for vocals you will not be disappointed.

Finally..... 
by M.Knox from Phila,Pa., January 2005

Finally someone who thinks of the little people. This unit is all what it is cracked up to be for the price. I have only tried a few of the presets but the ones I tried are awesome and on point. The compression is subtle and stays warm. I use it mainly for vocals for wich there are 3 settings for and I love it. For me its very accurate. I tested some of the other settings on the vocals and some were also very good. Sorry I couldnt tell you more about what it does for instruments but for vocals you will not be disappointed.

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