Test Compressors on Drums

[crufty]

Link: Test_Comp_Drums.zip

Logic mangled the original dry version unfortunately testing out automation, so that is not included...I do have a copy, but it's at a higher bpm for some reason.
Dry / No Comp.aif


Here is a shot at automation...
drum_looop_processed.m4a

Certainly not the best example, but it took all of five minutes to bus out, slap plugins down, and draw the automation points for the various parameters. I'm not sure the impact of multiple compression types can be heard, but it was fun trying it out anyway. Mixed only on headphones, so it may not translate well to speakers *shrug*


I would also like to thank --all-- the GS denizens for their postings. I am a true baby in this world, and while I doubt I'll ever walk at least perhaps I can learn to crawl. I have learned a lot here, it is invaluable. thumbsup thumbsup

Do hope OB comes back, one has to develop a bit of thick skin when posting on the net, even at a reasonably well balanced place like gearslutz.

ps. plugin vs otb debate aside, one thing that has really been killing me lately is how poorly mp3 treats audio. It really just slaughters all the detail away.

[rhizomeman]

My first impressions listening on earbuds through my macbook pro.
All sound good as compressors – the differences for me are not really better or worse but different, depending on what the musical context is.

2 sound more punchy/tighter than 1

2 and 4 sound very similar (less similar to 1)

5 has more resonance after the attack

6 sounds very similar to 2

8 seems to sound a bit more boomy with a louder kick

Right now, based on this excerpt I would say I like 2 the best and 5 the least, but as I mentioned none sound really "bad" to me. Also, are files 3 and 7 missing? I didn't see them in the folder.

Anyone else?

[chrisj]

Originally Posted by DivineChemical

Computer - $500
Audio Interface - $200
ADAT Interface - $150

That's $850 right there in case you forgot how math works.

My standalone DAW: $250

My Teac Deck with ten reels: $80

Have you actually looked at the price of tape machines recently?

Isn't it rather unfair to be criticising plugins based on how they sound playing out of an ADAT, or a $200 soundcard? For that matter, what is your monitoring like if Behringer compressors sound that amazing to you? To me that sort of thing (Alesis 3630 et al) sound more like plugins, rather than less.

I'm a Lavry fan myself, and I've also become a big fan of class D amplifiers- Channel Island D100s for mains, but I also have a bunch of the little portable things with little Tripath chips in them. Class D is like the tube amplification I used when I was younger, but insanely more efficient.

I did start making plugins because I didn't find the ones I had to be satisfactory, but I didn't have the UADs or anything like that it's funny to me because some of my users are widely known analog snobs who really hate Behringer and 3630s and that sort of stuff.

[Kindred]

Trying to prove other people's opinions wrong regarding hardware/software is a pointless exercise.

Just use whatever makes you happy & you enjoy using - your tracks are more than likely going to end up being heard as some crappy mp3 anyway...

[elan]

which is the comp order?
which is the 3!?

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by lcvl

Does anyone here (beside DC, appearently) really think that the problem with all the bad music released today is simply imputable to the use of software compressors, VST effects and virtual instruments?

software makes ppl. lazy and focussed on visual information.
not all suffer, plenty of good music done with aid of modern DAWs, but I understand his ideas, and partly agree with it.

many are complacent, and copy-paste instead of sticking their neck out and do something radically different. then, in turn many labels don't understand or accept experimental excercises. which encourages musicians to write more uninspired stuff.. etc.. etc.. like a dog biting it's own tail.

is that a old geezer rant or what?! wait, let me put my teeth back in...

there's hope though.. everything's a sinosoid, the current retro movement, is nothing but ppl. wanting to go back to an imaginary period when there was more creativity. while there was much crap back then too. And think that a couple of old machines will get them there..
this is not the case, because it is what the person behind the machine does, not what the machine-software dictates the user to do.. the problem with some software is WORSE because SOME software doesn't allow it to be used in ANY other way than predestined.
some software is BETTER because it allows ppl. to go beyond laws of physics present always in (analogue) hardware
presets are handy for saving your work, using factory presets is IMVHO one of the most boring things ever.
this is an old old old discussion
just use the stuff - know first what you're doing (physical limitations) - and then there are no rules "how to do something" - for me, anything goes (also when listening) as long as there's something there.

R. outta here