Tubetech CL-1B users chime in

[gainreduction]

Those of you using the Tubetech CL-1B as your main vocal comp:

- Do you usually need another comp in series with it or is it allright on it's own ?
- Is it picky about what you put in front of it ?

Thanx.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Those of you using the Tubetech CL-1B as your main vocal comp:

- Do you usually need another comp in series with it or is it allright on it's own ?
- Is it picky about what you put in front of it ?

Thanx.

I have the CL=1B on in my Sintefex and i like it a lot, but for the hard stuff i lean toward the Neve or Fairchild, the Mari vu and SSL is so sweet as well, but the let down is the Allan Smart on the Sintefex. Again Tube Tech is sweet.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Those of you using the Tubetech CL-1B as your main vocal comp:

- Do you usually need another comp in series with it or is it allright on it's own ?

Sometimes w/ something else like an 1176 before for little peaks can be nice.
but its swell on its own.
putting NOS mullards in really made the midrange nice for vocals.
Its one of the more flexible tube comps,with variable attack/release/ratio[2:1 to 10:1]
The knobs are off the loose variety so it's easy to knock yourself out of the sweet spot.
I seem to go it [or Purple 77] more for vocals than an LA2A,not as colored but still has a nice warm tube vibe.
I use another w/ nos Telefunkens for bassthumbsup a lot.
helps smooth erratic players to.

can be very cool linked on the mixbuss too.

Great compsthumbsup

Originally Posted by gainreduction

- Is it picky about what you put in front of it ?

Thanx.

Nope.
and it has a shitload of output gain.

[gainreduction]

Thanx Roundbadge ! That's what I like to hear.

I've used the CL1B in commercial rooms and loved it on vocals but since time is money in a commercial room I was never able to experiment more with it.

[AB3]

Have a favorite setting for vocals?

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

Sometimes w/ something else like an 1176 before for little peaks can be nice.
but its swell on its own.
putting NOS mullards in really made the midrange nice for vocals.
Its one of the more flexible tube comps,with variable attack/release/ratio[2:1 to 10:1]
The knobs are off the loose variety so it's easy to knock yourself out of the sweet spot.
I seem to go it [or Purple 77] more for vocals than an LA2A,not as colored but still has a nice warm tube vibe.
I use another w/ nos Telefunkens for bassthumbsup a lot.
helps smooth erratic players to.

can be very cool linked on the mixbuss too.

Great compsthumbsup







Nope.
and it has a shitload of output gain.

[Protools Guy]

I love mine for vox.

I haven't found the need to put any other comp in the chain w/ it.

I don't compress vox more than 4-5:1 and try not to have more than 6-8db of GR.

Med attack and med release.

[bdmctear]

I like tracking with a distressor at 3:1 with about 3 - 5 dB compression and mixing with the CL-1b, anywhere from about the same amount compression, to slightly more. It's a smooth machine. I can't imagine what life is going to be like without it (it's borrowed) .

[bgrotto]

I dug it for more smoothly sung vox at low gain reduction. I wouldn't use it on heavier rock or rap, though.

They're absolutely killer on any kind of bass, however. They're one of those magic, plug-an-instrument (in this case, bass)-into-it-and-it-will-just-sound-better boxes. Even with minimal/no gain reduction, it just seems to extend the low-end an octave in a really impressive, tight way. And slowing the attack time and letting the compressor work a bit adds even more.

Yup. I miss that thing...

[kellyd]

One of my favs for vocs. The input is a little touchy. For really loud and dynamic vocs I use either a 1176, distressor or a DBX 165. Country, R&B etc.. the CL1b is amazing.

[doubledecker]

That one will be a "classic" one day, my friendsthumbsup

[Baz]

Great on vocals. Just be careful of the knobs - especially the gain if your singer has the cans on. Only thing I don't like about the unit are the knobs. It's like they're on ball bearings.tutt

[kellyd]

Input gain knob? There ain't one.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by kellyd

Input gain knob? There ain't one.

My bad, I meant to say "gain." regardless, that thing is slippery.

[kellyd]

I would have to agree. Esp the gain pot.

[NathanEldred]

It depends on the vocal, i.e. how dynamic it is. For a metal vocal, or a loud/soft pop crooner I would do two compressors in series (or compress during tracking with your Tube Tech, and then again in mixdown) just to keep things even. For a more even legato thing with a singer who knows how to work the microphone, one pass of the compressor can definitely be sufficient.

[kellyd]

I use 1176s to tame the peaks going into the CL1B if that's what it takes. Works pretty well though whenever possible I like use 1 comp tracking then whatever's needed at mixdown.

[lordmiguel]

good thread

i've used one w stock tubes, and 1176 after - very sweet. from the sound of things i might like the 1176 before the tt as well as the nos tubes. for some reason i haven't tried that - doh!

[Musiclab]

I always compress abit during tracking, also I'm usually tracking to 2". The Cl1b works just great, the only time I've needed another compressor in line was if no compressor was used on the way in and the singer was all over the place dynamically, which has happened on only one project, other than that the Cl1b has done the job, you might try
putting it in manual mode as screwing with the attack