A great blind compressor listening test!

[RecTeach]

Ok let's see how good some of you are and what you REALLY like without any bias.

Unless enough people have any objections I'd rather not list the compressors sampled here and would rather have everyone simply list their top 3 and bottom 3 and briefly why.

Each file is about 10 sec's and is 24bit 44.1khz (I hate mp3's - whats the point?)

We only used a Royer SF12 for overheads going into a Great River MP-2NV and a Beta 52 going into a Neve 5012 going into Lavry Bluess for A/D

Sound good?

File A

File B

File C

File D

File E

File F

File G

File H

File I

File J

File K

File L

File M

File N

[rainsinvelvet]

damn, not to poo-poo your test, BUT I couldn't get over the playing on the samples..



ERic

[vintagelove]

fgjkl good

[larrygates]

Originally Posted by rainsinvelvet

damn, not to poo-poo your test, BUT I couldn't get over the playing on the samples..



ERic

Don't think the playing is the most important part of this shootout

Great sound though on your drums

Are these soft or hardware comps.

I'm quite sure that since you posted this in the High End section I would hope they're outboard comps. They sound way better than software comps anyway.

[larrygates]

M = a very interesting, but not desireable stereo panning phenomenon.

C = is a very nice and tamed compression thing. Would be good for some 2 mix or vocal stuff

G = I like what it does to the bottom and the top end a lot. It sounds like it has a high pass on it's detector, or the output. I like.

K = I like for smashing and squashing without losing perspective of what I'm smashing.

B = Flat out great to me

A = really brings out what ring is in all the other drums.

J = If the release and attack could get under control, but still breath it would be great.

I = a lot like B. But I like I better than B. I is my favorite for straight signal compression.

H = Interesting, and desireable effect on the high end. Sounds like an expander almost

N = my favorite squash compressor sound

Back to M again, of course level wise it's very loud, but it really makes everything breath a lot. I like it too.

None of these better be software compressors.

[RKrizman]

Are you joking?

-R

[Hint]

Thanks for uploading the files.

I liked:

1. G
2. F
3. D

[blaugruen7]

[larrygates]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Are you joking?

-R

Sounds like you're talking about me.

So I'll make sure to not post my opinions from here on out.

RKizman

[Marineville]

That there is some lazy drumming ...

[RecTeach]

Come one guys this was just a high school student of mine! The point is the sound of the compressors. Trust me, those who participate will be glad that they did....

First hint.... a couple are hardware worth over $5k and a couple are plugins ....

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by RecTeach

Come one guys this was just a high school student of mine! The point is the sound of the compressors. Trust me, those who participate will be glad that they did....

First hint.... a couple are hardware worth over $5k and a couple are plugins ....

Thanks for the links man... I will check them out for sure. Yes the after listening to the first one the playing is not great but it is good enough to get the point.

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by larrygates

M = a very interesting, but not desireable stereo panning phenomenon.

C = is a very nice and tamed compression thing. Would be good for some 2 mix or vocal stuff

G = I like what it does to the bottom and the top end a lot. It sounds like it has a high pass on it's detector, or the output. I like.

K = I like for smashing and squashing without losing perspective of what I'm smashing.

B = Flat out great to me

A = really brings out what ring is in all the other drums.

J = If the release and attack could get under control, but still breath it would be great.

I = a lot like B. But I like I better than B. I is my favorite for straight signal compression.

H = Interesting, and desireable effect on the high end. Sounds like an expander almost

N = my favorite squash compressor sound

Back to M again, of course level wise it's very loud, but it really makes everything breath a lot. I like it too.

None of these better be software compressors.

Larry,

You have made some very good observations! "M" is a 'one of a kind' combination that I don't expect anyone to get. It does have a pretty neat sound it though doesn't it?!

[Yetti]

OH....sorry
I didn't see that this is a High school student.

[RecTeach]

No more takers???? What happenned to all the people begging for shootouts ????

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by RecTeach

No more takers???? What happenned to all the people begging for shootouts ????

Umm,...it hasn't even been 24 hours yet since you first started this thread, maybe give us folks some time to download and take an objective listen. Some of us are busy. I'm sure you'll see more posts, give it a few days, and my suggestion is: don't give anymore hints yet, give folks a chance to listen and post their thoughts without any bias. You may want to wait a week or more before giving out hints or the answers.

[macrae11]

I liked
D
G
F
B
and K for trashy compression

I wasn't crazy about
H
L
and J i liked the least

I'm assuming even though there are some level and panning stuff going on, all settings on all compressors, are as close to each other as possible? It sounded like some of the release settings, were set a bit different. Do some of the compressors have no attack release settings? If so, what are the settings for each compressor?

[FossilTooth]

Sorry, I couldn't really get through all the clips.... just listened to the first few....

Performance aside, it would be nice to hear some clips where the Kick didn't make the whole drum mix sag quite as much. I couldn't imagine using a compressor on a drum submix in this manner, so it's hard to judge.

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by Mike Derrick

RecTeach,

I respect your effort and desire to have a compression showdown, but honestly I think these samples you offer have way too many variables to justify a fair comparison. I hear mixing differences, panning differences, and performance variances (to say it politely) to a degree which I feel makes an unlevel playing field. I suppose in an overall sense you can get a feel for the character of each compressor but IMHO I'm not sure this makes for an accurate blind test. Since you posted this in the High End forum, I think it's fair for us poll-ee's to expect a high end performance and as few variables as possible.

I think your ears are playing tricks on you. The drum performance is ONE take that was run through the mulltiple compressors. There is no "mixing' variations either. All faders and pan pots were left the same for each compressor. Now the compressors themselves have effects on the sound and "M" in particular is a very strange setup which I will reveal later.

And again as to the playing while I agree it is not he best in the world it is definitely good enough for this test. As a matter of fact I think some of it may be going over some of your heads (no offense to those who know what "flipping the beat is..). Do you hear all the metric modulation in that groove??? It's not just accents stuck in weird places or slowing down and speeding up you know. Actually the tempo is quite solid.

[Koed]

Very interesting
Give the hardcore slutz sometime to get down to the studio and listen.
You don't want people commenting based on their computer speakers right?
I'll give it a serious listen tonight.

[yareck]

whaaaat is that?

nothing sounds good for me

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by yareck

whaaaat is that?

nothing sounds good for me

That's cool.... participation is optional You probably wouldn't be interested in any of these units anyway

[patrox247]

Strange settings on all the clips. I can't imagine anyone going for that type of sound. All the transients are destroyed and all the clips are pumping and grabbing. None of the comps are set to provide suitable abient tones, and at the same time attacks aren't being let through. This test is completely dependent upon the users application, and in this case that application is questionable at best. How can we shoot out comps that aren't being used in a suitable manner.tutt

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by patrox247

Strange settings on all the clips. I can't imagine anyone going for that type of sound. All the transients are destroyed and all the clips are pumping and grabbing. None of the comps are set to provide suitable abient tones, and at the same time attacks aren't being let through. This test is completely dependent upon the users application, and in this case that application is questionable at best. How can we shoot out comps that aren't being used in a suitable manner.tutt

The lack of transients you are hearing are most attributable to the ribbon soaking them up. The SF12 is known for this and is one of the reasons why it is used as much as it is for overheads.

All the comp settings are standard or standard for a type of an effect. Most of the people who have commented on the "sound" of the drums have liked them so far. It doesn't hurt my feelings in the least if you don't. You just don't have to comment.

[sctt_stone]

I like N and B the best as well. Cant wait to know what they are being that im ready to buy a drum buss compressor. Thanks for the shoot out.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by RecTeach

That's cool.... participation is optional You probably wouldn't be interested in any of these units anyway

Hey man... don't get down. Gearslutz is full of all sorts of folks. You are correct, this test is more than fine for what it is... and that is listening to a recording with someone else's gear in someone else's room with someone we have never met playing.

Everyone the point is, this is supposed to be FUN and maybe there is a thing or two to be learned but I don't think "RecTeach" or anyone expects this to be the end all be all of recording examples.

Again, it is FUN to listen to gear that you might not have access to and it is FUN guessing what is what.

RecTeach offered this up because he wanted to not because he was making money off of it (I assume) or because he thought it was the perfect test. You can participate if you wish or not.

Do you go complaining to the Pepperidge Farms lady giving out samples at the deli when you go pick up your lunch meat? Do you say, "Well you didn't offer me bread so how do I make a fair comparison?"

LOL

Jeez guys, lighten up a little. Life is too short ya know?



RecTech, thanks again for the samples. I planned on buringing them to CD a last night but didn't have time... maybe tonight. But DON'T release the answers yet!

[RecTeach]

I hate to do this because of those who might not have listened but I'm becoming quite ill of all the people who just want to poop on this test. You would think that people would be supportive of anyone who takes time out of their day to help people learn more about gear but oh well.

I should of said that the overall particular vibe of the drums on this was more of a roomy Zepplin type sound but I assumed that most would be able to hear that. I should of also given an Audio 101 mini lecture on how ribbon mic's round off transients but I'll know better next time.

And perhaps the thing that erks me the most is when people have no clue what to say or anything positive to add because they are afraid to look dumb so they just crap on anything that they can. If you notice several guys just gave their opinions on the question at hand. Next time if you don't want to add anyting positive just don't post at all. It kind've ruins it for everyone else........


So with that here are the results:

A Fairchild Plugin; threshod 7, recovery 3

B TG1 8=input, 0=output, 1=rec. set to compression

C STC8 preset C

D TG1 Plugin 6=input, 4=output, 1=rec. set to limit

E STC8 preset B

F 1176 panned L/DBX 160 VU panned right STC8 preset C infront

G TG1, 6=input, 4=outpput, i=rec, set to limit

H SPL Transient Designer2; Attack +4.5 Sustain -5

I TG1 Plugin 8=input, 0=output, , 1=rec. set to compressor

J SPL Transient Designer2; Attack -12 Sustain +18

K TG1 10=input, 0=output, 2=rec. set to limit

L SPL Transient Designer2; Attack +4.5 Sustain +17

M 1176LN on L channel/DBX 160vu on right channel (this is what acconted for the weird stereo imaging)

N TG1 Plugin 10=input, 0=output, 2 rec., set to limit

[mahasandi]

yeah thanks recteach this is fun.

i sincerely hope noone here thinks ANY internet files test is a replacement for

the gear in your room.


on my crappy headphones for my laptop i've listened to the samples and heard lots of

difference some sounded not so good , some sounded cool.

when i have time i'll listen in the studio too.

I like that you mixed plugs and hardware .


edit: wooops you gave up fast!!!!!


thats too bad , though i do see a pttern of people taking sh t for posting clips

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by mahasandi

yeah thanks recteach this is fun.

i sincerely hope noone here thinks ANY internet files test is a replacement for

the gear in your room.


on my crappy headphones for my laptop i've listened to the samples and heard lots of

difference some sounded not so good , some sounded cool.

when i have time i'll listen in the studio too.

I like that you mixed plugs and hardware .


edit: wooops you gave up fast!!!!!


thats too bad , though i do see a pttern of people taking sh t for posting clips and i do think

its ever so stupid.

Thanks, and you have hit on a good point. I've gotten several people asking if every clip has the same amount of gain reduction. First, and I mean no offense, but if you can't hear that and even have to ask the you might be in the wrong business. Secondly I think it is a lot more telling for someone listening 'blindly' to get several variations of the same compressor. We have had some loving the TG1 with one setting but hating it on another. Throwing the plugins in there was just an extra bonus. Besides several people have asked to hear the TG1 plugin and hardware unit A'B'd. Now on those the settings are identical.

[RecTeach]

Originally Posted by mahasandi

thats too bad , though i do see a pttern of people taking sh t for posting clips

Yep, it's a double edged sword. You have lots of people (including myself) asking for audio files of gear then you have those who just look for any reason to crap on it and ruin it for everyone else. How does that phrase go? "If you don't have something nice to say .......