[Puresonics]

(Sorry for the short story)
We write all forms of pop music for the UK, the drums of which are either programmed samples or come from DFH or the like (ie. are not a live drummer)
The tracks we submit have to ‘sound like a record’
So we’re gradually building our gear/skills to do that the best we can
So this is for ‘our use only’ rather than a commercial studio venture

We’re ‘deskless’ using ProTools on an HD3 Accel rig
I want to use as much analogue as possible when tracking and on inserts of our Aurora 16 when mixing, rather than staying ITB

So far our mix bus is
Apogee DA16X – Folcrom – Neve 1073DPD - Neve8803 – Smart C2

We’ve also got
Distressor x 2 (which sit on the drum bus at present)
MC77
CL 1B

Plus Lunchbox pairs of Eisen Neveish, E27 and 550b

We want a drum bus compressor with an attitude rather than transparency, plus a side chain input or side chain filter to let the bottom end through

So far our thoughts have run to
C2 (get another one)
API 2500
Drawmer 1968
Something Chandler – TG1 ? (but no side chain on Chandler stuff ?)

Please, before you suggest it, I’ve searched the forums (a lot) but what I read on High End is a lot of info for rock studios, and the other forums tend to go LoFi or plug-in. And I know you’ll say get loads in to check out and listen to. I will when I’ve narrowed the field some what.

So, any views on these or have we missed an obvious candidate to add to the arsenal

Thanks - Lee