26th June 2007
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#1 | | Gear interested
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Thread Starter  | $1000 Compressor
Hi,
I've got a pair of Distressor EL8-X with the Brit mod and stereo link that I use mostly in Opto (LA-2ish) mode for tracking loud vocals (usually SM7 through API), and Nuke mode for Drum OHs or Room mics. Other than that, I do in-the-box processing for the convenience and recallibility (lately working mainly on music for commercials, so easy remixing is key), anyway, I can't imagine that these two uses justifies the $3000 I have tied up in these. So, I'm looking to sell these off, put about $1000 into a new stereo compressor and pocket or reinvest the rest.
So, I ask you, which compressor(s) would this be?
Again, the priorities are mainly for riding vocals or other loud instruments to disk.
Also, would like ideas on passable software compressors you might have.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim
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26th June 2007
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#2 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 447
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Maybe convert the two distressor into two things expressly for the purposes you describe.
Something like a used Valley People Dynamite (stereo) for squashing stuff, and a used TubeTech CL1B for smooth bass/vocals.
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26th June 2007
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: São Paulo/NYC |
if you'd be willing to put in 2k instead of one, you'd have a myriad great choices, especially if you'd check ebay/GS
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26th June 2007
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#4 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB Canada
Posts: 1,017
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Sent you a pm about your Distressors  | |
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26th June 2007
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#5 | | Pragmatic Snob
Joined: Oct 2004 Location: The Land of Sunshine
Posts: 12,005
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softwarewise, sonalksis compressor is about as good as it gets. people love uad, can't say i'm too impressed, although the plate is incredibly useful.
$1k for a stereo comp? if it's mainly for vox, why stereo?
gregoire
del
ubk
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26th June 2007
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#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Antwerp
Posts: 556
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for stereo :
TFPro p38
1968 ME
for mono :
CL1B
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26th June 2007
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Charlotte
Posts: 1,034
| Quote:
Originally Posted by u b k  softwarewise, sonalksis compressor is about as good as it gets. gregoire
del
ubk
. | I have to agree on the Sonalksis 315 as well. This compressor is badass for a plug-in, and is damn cool as a buss compressor as well. My advice if you are short on cash right now, is to get this plug to hold you over for a while and save up for something nice down the road. I just did this and have a MC77 getting dropped off at my door any minute now.  | |
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26th June 2007
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#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2002 Location: MIAMI FLA
Posts: 1,719
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Keep what ya got...with what you'll lose in resale...and the price range youre in..the loss in performance and cash...may not be worth the change
That said...a CL1B is overbudget...but the right comp for vocals
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harrisaudiosystems.com
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26th June 2007
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2004 Location: The Lost Moon of Poosh
Posts: 1,762
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Used CL1B's go for about $2000.
The reissue LA2A's also go used for about $2000.
If it were up to me personally I'd go for the LA2A.
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26th June 2007
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#10 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 406
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Well, I just got the answer for you! HandCrafted Labs Compressor/Leveler Solution S2. This is a 2 channel all-tube (no crappy hybrids here) compressor in the vein of LA-2A (but with more options like Class A or Cascode Driver, Soft or Hard Knee, etc.). thumbsup And it's under $1300!!!  I got mine about 3 weeks ago and it's totally awesome!  Here's a pretty good review from a man who's credentials speak for themselves (the link in his sig): Filltrate's review. If you got time read the rest of the thread as well.
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25th January 2011
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#11 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
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ola, hand crafted lab leveler or vari look great ..
for S2 leveler:
(from the sample test i hear, so it's not easy )
sounds good , med hi , more open and clear, warm maybe
Is it good for the low ( kick, bass) also ? to get strong, bigger low
cheers
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25th January 2011
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#12 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 406
| Quote:
Originally Posted by galawak ola, hand crafted lab leveler or vari look great ..
for S2 leveler:
(from the sample test i hear, so it's not easy )
sounds good , med hi , more open and clear, warm maybe
Is it good for the low ( kick, bass) also ? to get strong, bigger low
cheers | Yes, it's perfect for drums, bass and vocals. I use it on ALL drums, especially kick and snare. Cascode mode just makes everything pop. I now have 5(!) of them - for 10 channels of all-tube compression. | |
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25th January 2011
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#13 | | member no 666
Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Suffern, NY
Posts: 10,411
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I know they're not big and clunky... but the FMR Audio PBC-6A's are really quite amazing for the applications you're talking about and link like a wet dream for stereo 2 buss work... all for under $1000-
Seriously - if all you had in your studio was a few pairs of those you could do a lot worse [then again, I have never met a software compressor I thought was useable so I'm either way behind the times or have sorta high standards].
Best of luck with the search.
Peace.
__________________ CN Fletcher Professional Affiliation: R/E/P Professional Recording Engineer and Producer forums mwagener wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:33
We are selling emotions, there are no emotions in a grid
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Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light | |
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25th January 2011
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Ghent, Belgium
Posts: 1,393
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If you look arround you can easely find a pair of second hand LA4's for that. It's not true stereo, but it's very good and works well on a lot. It's a kind of solid state LA2A like compressor. Not really the same, but doing a similar trick.
The FMR PBC-6A is also a good one and versatile (but mono). A pair just fits into your budget and they are the best you can get from FMR and i agree with fletcher that they are a steal for their price.
But at the end you'll have to try them, there are many great compressor out there, but none of them fits everybody's preference...
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson To me, overproduction means throwing away what's right in a herculean effort to achieve a recording having nothing wrong. | http://www.urgent.fm | |
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26th January 2011
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#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Williamsburg, NYC
Posts: 1,517
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I was underwhelmed by the distressor and fell in love with the 2500 and ssl g-comp.
For $1000, I would recommend a used the portico 5043, used drawmer 1968, pair of the new fmr compressor pbc6a.
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"Fight obscenity with its own weapons ...To the truer than true we must oppose the falser than false" Baudrillard
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26th January 2011
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#16 | | Gear interested
Joined: Dec 2009 Location: NYC
Posts: 22
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+1 PBC-6a x2.
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26th January 2011
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#17 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,356
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Portico 5043, see them used in the $1000 range all the time.
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26th January 2011
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#18 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Earth
Posts: 156
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Portico 5043, found this ad on eBay | |
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26th January 2011
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#19 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,524
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Since you are looking for a transparent vocal tracking compressor just pick up a used Aphex 651 Expressor for around $150, have Jim Williams here on the forums do his mod for around another $150 to clean it up further. I have not seen any other comp that can cover this specific purpose for this little money so well. That's $300 out of your pocket, check the "Low End Gold" threads for other comps to cover other purposes/ground.
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27th January 2011
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#20 | | Gear Head
Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Germany
Posts: 49
| TK AUDIO BC-1
very big sound !! very very smooth compression !!
stereo unit with HPF for tight bottom low end !!
heard a wave-shotout here I think at gearslutz - and I liked it more then the API 2500 (reference in the a/b) - for what it does and the price difference.
Meanwhile I own one myself and I'm in love with this butter smooth but punchy tool THE PRICE-PERFORMANCE RATIO IS JUST AWESOOOOOME !!!
Regards,
CoYotE
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27th January 2011
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#21 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB Canada
Posts: 1,017
| Quote:
Originally Posted by waxx If you look arround you can easely find a pair of second hand LA4's for that. It's not true stereo, but it's very good and works well on a lot. It's a kind of solid state LA2A like compressor. Not really the same, but doing a similar trick.
snip... | Still haven't decided what I'm doing with the six LA-4's I came into last summer. Have just been sitting on them for now. (not literally).
__________________ Everything you eat is bite size | |
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28th January 2011
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#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: São Paulo/NYC | Quote:
Originally Posted by HDaudioCoyote TK AUDIO BC-1
very big sound !! very very smooth compression !!
stereo unit with HPF for tight bottom low end !!
heard a wave-shotout here I think at gearslutz - and I liked it more then the API 2500 (reference in the a/b) - for what it does and the price difference.
Meanwhile I own one myself and I'm in love with this butter smooth but punchy tool THE PRICE-PERFORMANCE RATIO IS JUST AWESOOOOOME !!!
Regards,
CoYotE | agreed, i just mixed a whole record through one and am stupidly impressed. still love my C2 but if i had this instead, i'd still be well happy. such a great price too.
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28th January 2011
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#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,437
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+1 for the PBC, I have one and getting a second unit right these days
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28th January 2011
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#24 | | member no 666
Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Suffern, NY
Posts: 10,411
| Quote:
Originally Posted by waxx The FMR PBC-6A is also a good one and versatile (but mono). | While the PBC-6A is indeed a mono unit - there are a ridiculous amount of linking options which can give the user the ability to go "true stereo" [one set of controls can control both units] - dual controls with a true stereo lock - control from either of the units [left or right] which can control both units in stereo as well as a myriad of selectable options for "High Pass Filter" settings on the detector / control path of the unit.
There is more flexibility in these things than damn near anything out there - and at least in my opinion, they can sonically more than hold their own with units that cost 4 - 500% more.
Just cause they are small doesn't mean they don't deliver HUGE audio!!!
Peace.
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