[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by fez

Hey HCL,

I have the unit for a couple of days and had a lot of on-time in that period. I'm starting to realize more and more what it does with the mix and I can say it is getting more of the thick tone what I expected from the unit.

We glad. The Gremlins make job a twice more. So, whether you checked Feedforward mode yet? Customers which own and tested device already were pleased for FF mode.

A explanation what I think is the way I need to approach these kind of units and maybe it needs time to break-in because of the tubes? I don't know how to describe it but when enabled the unit's added tones getting more and more by the day, man! You have any explanation Albert?

I can assume when you apply device with more high resolution you start to recognize more nuances than earlier and some things which you have not heard earlier - have appeared and become some news for you. Like old TV - you could not see many nuances and noises since it was masked by low resolution but new digital TV for instance pictured many new things for you - however if picture is bad on TV with high resolution it look very ugly, more ugly than on old TV where it was masked by low resolution.
It is famous casus when after pushing into sound path high resolution device you can find many bad voices, instruments and drum notes and have surprize - how you could not listen all this horror earlier?
So, some devices demand more perfect playing in all

I've almost ordered a new Audio Interface (Saffire 56) and ditching the M-Audio 1010 after, yes yes, SEVEN years! There will be an improvement for sure conversion-wise. Better ADDA converters, more VariS goodness.

my God, seven years... you are man.
Yes, of course, more higher convertor is good thoughts.

I have decided to wait some time for another demo, need more time getting acquainted with the Vari-Mu. And about the settings. It was feedback-mode with the punchiest settings possible at that time with about 2~3db compression. Yet again I need more time with the unit for another demonstration, and to have any decent objective opinion.

Well, it`s correct compression degree basically. Try FF mode, and if it would possible also just for presentation - make simple and usual powerfull drum-beat or groove - 4/4, like 30 sec and with/without VARIS, we appreciate sounding for all our devices in this way usually, in first viewing.

Originally Posted by fragletrollet

I just wanted to add that Ive gotten very good guidance and information by these people. I sent them an email, and got several long, in depth answer on their products. Seems like very good guys

Yes, thanks. We just love our business

I would like to ask for abit more guidance on the different type of compressors when thinking of usage:
Id say a FET with a hard knee is very good for percussive sounds,
while opto's (slow?) would work more on longer sounds like bass and pads. How does Vari-Mu / S (?) compare?
If I would be looking for my first outboard compressor (Id like it to be versatile, Im making electronic trance music, so Id be compressing alot of punchy percussives, but I want smoothe warm basses and pads too what should I look for?

Short answer - all. Invite three superb vocalists with idea them for singing same song, and invite 30 listeners. All vocalists will make their job and all listeners will be pleased. But... each vocalist will sing in own manner as well as - each group of listeners will prefer own vocalist. So, which vocalist was better?

Just each vocalist - like above stated devices make same job - in good way and but in different manner yet. Thus, it is not correct to compare in this way, I think. Each (note : good) compressor can be adjusted for excellent results.... like good vocalist can sing any song. Listener impressions is another thing... and here we stumble onto another thing who can not be measured or compared - tastes

So, this forum intended for digging same questions - in what way variable Mu compressors work, there is a huge explanations... for 660 670 for instance.

I can not agree FET is good for percussive only... it is perfect on voices or guitars for instance. One of main feature of FET - big degree of compression up to 90 db or near. But it`s not free of charge, in turn FET has more non-linear distortions... upss, though so many compression degree is not each day necessity, it can be used like effect.
Optical compressors can be slow. But can not be - we install quick enough optical couple (besides slow couple) with rise time 5 msec and release time 10 msec, so it was found by customers and we could not to ban use this leveler on mix bus as mastering device. However, this leveler able to work like lazy on voices or basses, ask here who own Solution.

Variable Mu. So, all these devices have identical circuit ideology in fact - i.e fully balanced sound path or push-pull circuit. One of main features of these circuits is operating by twice voltage for plate in fact. To avoidance of long explanation these circuitries cancel non musical harmonics, it sounds powerful, transparent, clean, airy, quick, closest.
However, all compressors sound with own sound signature of course. As always, we not use traditional tube sets - since we are not limited by market rules with market uniform and unification for more simplest tube replacements. However the tubes which we install have western analogue, so no problem for tubes replacements. Just we would like another sounding. Perfectly, of course, he-he...

Also, we installed dual mode side chain - Feedback and Feedforward. Each mode has own compression curve and character of course.
So, we hope for more comments of first users of VARIS who rack devices right now. Meanwhile, some pics from working table >>>

Im actually going down to Ucraine (again ) in the middle of july... through Kiev and down to Odessa

Lotsa love

Mag

Well
btw Ukraine have in start of August Open Air metal rock festival here, in Kiev, so we would be glad to meet with musicians who will invited on this Open Air, guys please update us if you will (Scandinavia - hey?! )