Compressors: Plug-ins vs. Hardware

[basement]

Anyone compared the BombFactory plug-ins vs. the hardware units they model -- 1176 and LA-2A? I'd love to hear your thoughts. THANKS!

[tunesmith]

Soooo...

yeah.



Might want to run a search of the site. I think this has been covered several times. The answer is always: plug ins ok, hardware better.

There's a lot of information here to mine and it's really really good stuff. You'll find you get more play from the interesting people when you don't ask a question that's already been bandied about.

Tunes

[basement]

Yeah, I tried running a search or two, but didn't find a whole lot on the BombFactory stuff -- and nothing specifically on 'em compared to the 1176 and LA-2A.

[denial]

One of the reasons I choose to use a hardware LA2A or 1176 is for the characteristic sound that becomes married to the instrument. Whether it be described as bite, distortion, overdrive, aggressiveness, smoothness or anything esle, the hardware certainly imparts a desirable color.

Having said that, I don't find the same qualities to exist in plug-ins of the same models.

[Critic]

[Shaman]

In my ears the Sony dynamics compressor can sound similar like the Smart C2.
The Sony is one of the very few good sounding compr. plugins - though especially with higher gain reductions good hardware
compressors sound more musical

[tunesmith]

Originally posted by Critic

Exactly.

I just got a pair of distressors and a C2. I won't use plugs anymore for anything other then rough quick mixes to get the artists happy.

[Shaman]

Originally posted by tunesmith
Exactly.

I just got a pair of distressors ...

So do I - I just dream of a distressor + a Massive on every insert of my Spider ...would that smoke an SSL boys...stike stike

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by Shaman
So do I - I just dream of a distressor + a Massive on every insert of my Spider ...would that smoke an SSL boys...stike stike

Yes....yes it would. But it wouldn't be shiney eye candy would it <G>?

[kevinc]

You know somebody should start a company that takes the components of modern rackmount shit and stuffs em all inside a real mixer box on a custom made, order to order basis.

That would be cool man!




As far as hardware vs software compressors are concerned.

A software LA2A obiousley doesn`t sound as good as a hardware LA2A at this point.

What I`m personally curious about is whether anyone even thinks they sound anything alike whatsoever.

Does a 1176 plug atually have any characteristics that liken it to a real 1176 ?
Can you really say that a software 1176 sounds "close enough" to a real one or are they a seperate animal alltogether.

I tend to think these days that whether you like the plugs or not they don`t really sound like their counterparts at all.



There!! Take That!!

[Kenny Gioia]

I find that Plugin Compressors that look like old Analog compressors remind me of Jolly Ranchers candy.

Hardware LA2a = Real Watermelon
BF or UA LA2a = Jolly Rancher Watermelon

Hardware Pultec = Real Strawberrys
BF or UA Pultec = Jolly Rancher Strawberrys

Hardware Fairchild = Real Apples
BF or UA Fairchild = Jolly Rancher Green Apple

Peace

[Critic]

Originally posted by Produceher
I find that Plugin Compressors that look like old Analog compressors remind me of Jolly Ranchers candy.

Hardware LA2a = Real Watermelon
BF or UA LA2a = Jolly Rancher Watermelon

Hardware Pultec = Real Strawberrys
BF or UA Pultec = Jolly Rancher Strawberrys

Hardware Fairchild = Real Apples
BF or UA Fairchild = Jolly Rancher Green Apple

Peace

LOL. Funny stuff.

In all likelihood it will soon be the other way around.

[nlc201]

www.digidesign.com




Bomb Factory 1176 + other utility plugs are now free for al PT users........try em out yourself

[kevinc]

Originally posted by Produceher
I find that Plugin Compressors that look like old Analog compressors remind me of Jolly Ranchers candy.

Hardware LA2a = Real Watermelon
BF or UA LA2a = Jolly Rancher Watermelon

Hardware Pultec = Real Strawberrys
BF or UA Pultec = Jolly Rancher Strawberrys

Hardware Fairchild = Real Apples
BF or UA Fairchild = Jolly Rancher Green Apple

Peace

****in beutifull!

[kevinc]

I can`t ****`n curse anymore!

What the **** Jules!!!

[Lord Marbury]

This is a true story. I was present at some launch or other for the UAD-1 card (then distributed by Mackie). I have to say I was seriously impressed with the card. The plugs were good and I thought it was by far the best processing emulation I had heard.
Having said that, I own an 1176 and I knew it didn't sound the same. I mean, not in any way. It sounded good, but not real 1176 good.
So I asked the guy who was demonstrating it (and had designed and written some of the code) what he thought of the plugs compared with the hardware. He replied he wasn't sure (and I swear this is true), he had NEVER heard a hardware 1176! It was all data and code to him - theory rather than audio.

Perhaps this is an important point. Software writers write code for money. Designers and builders of this beautiful, vintage equipment, design and build because they love it, and they are passionate about audio. I'd personally support these people even if the Software sounded the same.

Thanks for staying with me.

[dave-G]

Produceher... VERY funny!

I'm an outboard devotee, and as such, I tend to gravitate towards the plugs that don't try to be direct "emulations". ie: If I know want an 1176, I simply use one of my UREIs, and I'll use my Eclair LA-LA if I want that LA-2A thing that it does.. However, quite frequently, a Renaissance Compressor (for example) will do just fine on a wide variety of sources, with abosolutely no apologies needed for it being a "plug-in".

ymmv.

-dave

[Critic]

Originally posted by Lord Marbury
This is a true story. I was present at some launch or other for the UAD-1 card (then distributed by Mackie). I have to say I was seriously impressed with the card. The plugs were good and I thought it was by far the best processing emulation I had heard.
Having said that, I own an 1176 and I knew it didn't sound the same. I mean, not in any way. It sounded good, but not real 1176 good.
So I asked the guy who was demonstrating it (and had designed and written some of the code) what he thought of the plugs compared with the hardware. He replied he wasn't sure (and I swear this is true), he had NEVER heard a hardware 1176! It was all data and code to him - theory rather than audio.

Perhaps this is an important point. Software writers write code for money. Designers and builders of this beautiful, vintage equipment, design and build because they love it, and they are passionate about audio. I'd personally support these people even if the Software sounded the same.

Thanks for staying with me.

What a load.
The likelihood of the guy demonstrating the software being the same guy who writes the code are nill. The guys who wrote the code spent months, maybe years of back and forth referencing and developing the physical model in software.
Whether you like the software or not, it is modeled on the hardware.

[Bob Olhsson]

The folks who designed the vintage hardware STRICTLY designed for money!

It's just that the market has become less demanding. In the old days you had to beat the guys in the studio shop on BOTH price and quality or you could forget about selling anything at all. It wasn't romance, it was competition for highly knowledgeable customers.

[Lord Marbury]

Well that's what he told me.
I'm not too clued up with all this software malarkey. I'm a 64 year old man that can't understand this whole metric system. In fact my son had to spend weeks with me before I could even use the interweb. I'm getting the hang of it though.

[Teacher]

Originally posted by kevinc

What I`m personally curious about is whether anyone even thinks they sound anything alike whatsoever.

i don't want to speak for Brian T(even though i am) but he has said on numerous occassions that the UAD-1 vintage compressors are in the ballpark of the vintange gear.

[Tube World]

With much improved plug in compressors like Tube Tech CL 1B, Waves 1176, LA2-A, etc. I am wondering if many of you feel the compressors are now good enough to use on a regular basis. Sure you can use your favorite hardware compressors while tracking, but during the mix down, are these plug ins good enough for you?

[Shy]

Originally Posted by Tube World

With much improved plug in compressors like Tube Tech CL 1B, Waves 1176, LA2-A, etc. I am wondering if many of you feel the compressors are now good enough to use on a regular basis. Sure you can use your favorite hardware compressors while tracking, but during the mix down, are these plug ins good enough for you?

The Waves API 2500 is very good and I often use it. Not usually on mixdown (because I usually only use a peak limiter there), but on various busses. Drum bus, strings, etc.

[Mr.HOLMES]

Originally Posted by kevinc

Does a 1176 plug atually have any characteristics that liken it to a real 1176 ?
Can you really say that a software 1176 sounds "close enough" to a real one or are they a seperate animal alltogether.

I tend to think these days that whether you like the plugs or not they don`t really sound like their counterparts at all.

To the OP special the 1176 try the Softube FET Plug In.
This is the only one in my opinion that is so close to the original hardware unit that it gets hard to invest "for me" in the hardware.

The only critic is the release on the plug in but this is critic on a very very high level.

And it must be said some plug ins are useful too.
For example if you want to have something aggressive up front in the mix take the UAD 1176 plug in it works for me.

If you want something very 3 D take the Softube FET a great plug in.

But it must be said you can have a great mix with them anyway.
The question would be better if you ask :

Do plug ins sound different?

YES even plug ins sound different.

Can I work with them and get what I want?

Yes you can.

If you await uniqueness and a clear to hear character you are in the game for hardware.
Some plugs are close very close but I guess they are not a individual item.

[Phil Cibley]

Originally Posted by kevinc

You know somebody should start a company that takes the components of modern rackmount shit and stuffs em all inside a real mixer box on a custom made, order to order basis.

Daking consoles are basically that, using his own rack mount boxes as raw material.

[Chrislpp]

Originally Posted by Critic

LOL. Funny stuff.

In all likelihood it will soon be the other way around.

How can something modelling something else become better than the thing it is modelling?

unless I am missing some sarcasm

[Tube World]

When you hear a clean compressor like the Portico 5043, and then you listen to a 1176 by Waves or UAD, and listen to Ren Waves compressor and Tube Tech CL plug in compressor, is there going to be a (A) "hey the the Portico imparts something that none of the plug ins are not able to, which makes it better." Or (B) will you say, the Portico just sounds different that the plug ins, not better, just different, and your are willing to pay the extra money to get the particular sound the Portico imparts. My feeling is the answer is a strong (B) but maybe I am missing something

[Track 7]

Originally Posted by dave-G

.. However, quite frequently, a Renaissance Compressor (for example) will do just fine on a wide variety of sources, with abosolutely no apologies needed for it being a "plug-in".

-dave

+1thumbsup

[AllAboutTone]

People need serious help to pick a plugin over real hardware, come on...you get what you pay for.

[Tube World]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

People need serious help to pick a plugin over real hardware, come on...you get what you pay for.

Yes you get what you pay for, but it does not necessarily mean that just because it's hardware that it's better than a plug in. I have the Waves API plug ins and they are so good that I cannot see spending the money for the hardware EQ and compressor. Yes they may not sound exactly the same, but they are close enough to get me that API sound I like. It seems with some other compressors though that the character you get cannot be obtained by plug in like a Manley Vari Mu. However UAD is coming out with their version of the Vari Mu in 2010. Should be interesting to see how close they get to the real thing.
Waves 1176 and LA2-A, and 3-A they really nailed. Everyone is amazed how it sound part of the original signal not layered on top like many plug ins. Same thing with the Tube Tech plug in compressor. Software technology is catching up with hardware.