Dramastic Audio Obsidian

[ionian]

Originally Posted by schmuck

Thanks Frank, and what you say makes total sense - although I have another compressor with just one set of controls, but it can be run unlinked. There, I never noticed a big difference tbh. But with the Obsidian I did...

Curious if that little button was all just placebo....I cannot imagine as I tried many times because I expected it to not do anything. But we will find out for sure.

How interesting...

I just did a test by running a song through the Obsidian...twice in regular mode, and once in Link mode and they don't null the same way.

Obviously it's analog so it won't null 100% but it definitely nulls a lot with the two copies without link activated.

The copy with link activated doesn't null as much and there's some kind of residual pumping in the null and some HF stuff. When I compare the two tracks I can't hear a difference but that doesn't mean it's not there or that you don't hear it. My ears aren't the greatest but this definitely needs some more experimentation and listening.

A song that hangs around -10 dbfs will null to -80 dbfs with the two versions with no link activated. The link and unlink versions will null to -60 dbfs.

Thanks for pointing this curiosity out.

Regards,
Frank

[ionian]

Originally Posted by riffmachine

Hey Frank, I hope that your stay in Seattle was a good one. I've been out of town myself. Man, apparently we've had the coldest April on record in Seattle. It's usually about 8-10 degrees warmer, but oh well, it is what it is Btw, it's been really cool to read through your contributions on GS about the Obsidian, and just recently the Safe Sound Audio Stereo Toolbox. Cool stuff, keep it up mang. - paul

The stay was a bit hectic but a lot of fun. It wasn't that bad weather-wise since it was in the 50s. And it felt nice and crisp! I know it rains quite a bit there but the air still feels different then when it rains here. Somehow it felt nicer. Probably a lot less humidity then we get here when it rains.

Thanks for reading all my rambling posts! Yeah, I got a demo unit of the Safesound and it was a blast playing with it. In the end, the Obsidian still reigned king for me on the mix bus, but it was really close and I was thoroughly impressed with how much stuff the Stereo Toolbox sounded great on and how fast it is to dial in. It seems to be a real workhorse compressor.

Regards,
Frank

[schmuck]

Originally Posted by ionian

How interesting...

I just did a test by running a song through the Obsidian...twice in regular mode, and once in Link mode and they don't null the same way.

Obviously it's analog so it won't null 100% but it definitely nulls a lot with the two copies without link activated.

The copy with link activated doesn't null as much and there's some kind of residual pumping in the null and some HF stuff. When I compare the two tracks I can't hear a difference but that doesn't mean it's not there or that you don't hear it. My ears aren't the greatest but this definitely needs some more experimentation and listening.

A song that hangs around -10 dbfs will null to -80 dbfs with the two versions with no link activated. The link and unlink versions will null to -60 dbfs.

Thanks for pointing this curiosity out.

Regards,
Frank

Hi Frank; thanks a lot for your test results. Meanwhile I wrote to the manufacturer and actually, there shouldn't be a difference ;-). The intention of this feature is in deed to link several compressors. It should not make any difference with just a single one. Well, it does, but at least we can be sure now that it is not intended to be used.

For the sake of information sharing, I'll post the answer I got from John about the link feature:

Multiple Obsidian™500’s may be linked together using the link bus on the API chassis. You must solder a wire connecting pin 10 of each connector on the API backplane that will be using the link bus. API uses Pin 10 or “L” (where pin 1 or “A” is the bottom pin) for the link feature. It is only necessary to tie one of the connectors (left or right) to the link bus for each Obsidian. For example, if Obsidian #1 is in slot 1&2, and Obsidian #2 is in slot 3&4, solder a wire connecting pin 10 on connector 2 to pin 10 on connector 3 of the chassis backplane.

When the "Link" button is pressed (illuminates red) the detector circuitry is shorted to the link bus. Since it is a DC level through a diode, it doesn't backfeed. This is not a summing circuit. The loudest signal "wins", the lower signal has no contribution.

If nothing is connected to the link bus, and you press the "Link" button, the compressor will function normally, as if you never pressed the button. If another manufacturer's module is tied to the link bus, or a signal is leaked into the link bus, it is then possible for the compressor to behave differently based on the DC signal it is seeing.

[Songwriter30]

Originally Posted by jamwerks

Thanks for the info! thumbsup

Thinking of getting my first mix buss compressor.
I am torn between an obsidian and a 2500.
Can anyone post there mix through a 2500 and an
Obsidian?
I do rock country pop blues music.

Thanks

[DeyBwah]

Originally Posted by Songwriter30

Thinking of getting my first mix buss compressor.
I am torn between an obsidian and a 2500.
Can anyone post there mix through a 2500 and an
Obsidian?
I do rock country pop blues music.

Thanks

Both these tracks are going through my obsidian 2-buss.

Bad Place by DeyBwah on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free



This one is not complete yet.

The Keys - Beta by DeyBwah on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Songwriter30

Thinking of getting my first mix buss compressor.
I am torn between an obsidian and a 2500.
Can anyone post there mix through a 2500 and an
Obsidian?
I do rock country pop blues music.

Thanks

Due respect mate - you still have the variables of the person operating the machine. It might make more sense for you to get your hands on both - run your mixes through both [with you at the helm] and make your decision from an educated / experienced perspective.

They're both great units so you can't actually make a mistake... but one may suit your sense of aesthetic more than the other... and the only way to make a profound determination of that is to experience both.

Peace

[HiFi Yeah]

...if any of you guys are looking to part with one (that is in mint condition of course) let me know (posted WTB also), if not I'll grab one from Mercenary. My SSL XLogic G is great but I could use deeper wider midrange for some stuff. Looking for rack not 500 series.

[AllAboutTone]

This is one of the few 2 buss compressors I have not tried yet, soon maybe soon.

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by HiFi Yeah

...if any of you guys are looking to part with one (that is in mint condition of course) let me know

I have one I've been thinking of parting with... its parked at a friend's studio in the UK but can be shipped anywhere. Shoot me a PM and we can talk about it.

Peace