Transparent Compressors bla bla bla

[syra]

Sorry to start the type of thread I usually hate but I need to clarify something. I'm looking for a transparent compressor not only on the compression level but also on the color level. In other words when the unit is in the chain and there is no compression happening it should sound like the unit is not even patched in. And I don't mean bypassed. Then I should be able to compress a couple dbs without even realizing the unit is on (with proper make up gain that is).

So. What should I start shooting out?

[darkman2]

not sure whats colored or not but, ill recomend my first comp
neve 5043 its a beauty...

[syra]

Originally Posted by darkman2

not sure whats colored or not but, ill recomend my first comp
neve 5043 its a beauty...

Colored is when the sound changes the moment the unit is patched in, regardless of if compression is taking place. So you think the 5043 doesn't alter the sonic quality of the source?

Btw, I'm talking about fine details here...I don't want something that sounds "close" to the source. I need something transparent.

[RoundBadge]

Maybe an Atomic Squeeze box.
Personally not my cuppa' but it is very transparent.

[syra]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

Maybe an Atomic Squeeze box.
Personally not my cuppa' but it is very transparent.

Hey RoundBadge I heard the ASB does something in the mids...something really nice apparently...but not what I'm looking for. Is that a wrong assumption on my part?

[seaneldon]

Mono or stereo? GML comes to mind if you REALLY don't want ANYTHING on the audio. A Crane Song STC-8 or Innertube Atomic Squeezebox are VERY difficult to hear in the compression department, but do have an apparent "tone" to them. Not character pieces by any stretch of the imagination, but still...

[Andrew Kinsey]

GML Compressor.

[vernier]

Un-tranparent, or non-transparent is usually what makes something sound cool, imo.

'

[syra]

Yes stereo for the buss. Although I love my 8200, I haven't tried the GML cause I heard he's coming out with an updated version anytime now.

seaneldon you hit it right on the head. That "tone" no matter how subtle is what I'm trying to avoid.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[NathanEldred]

Buzz Audio SOC - transparent compression, transparent electronics.

[darkwater]

I haven't heard it, but it seems to me, that new Safe Sound box could be pretty cool, with onboard parallel option...

[Phrygian]

Avalon comes to mind but I have very little experience with them.

[AB3]

Buzz SOC or SAFE Sound toobox are great and affordable. Not great color machines.

The Buzz has the slightest amount of euphonic quality added but it too subtle to be considered a "color" IMHO.

[Kirk D]

I haven't tried the GML cause I heard he's coming out with an updated version anytime now.

any more info on this?

I'm very interested in the 8900 so would love to know if there is a new version coming.

KD

[jmikeperkins]

The Aphex 651 compressor is very transparent even at high ratios. Most all of the T-4 based optical photo cell compressors are very transparent at moderate settings. These would include the LA-2A, LA-3A, Anthony Demaria CL 1500, Manley etc.

J. Mike Perkins
jmikeperkins.com myspace.com/jmikeperkins

[syra]

The avalon 2044 is a little on the colored side. jmikeperkins I agree that optos are smooth by nature but all the units you mentioned are not sonically transparent.

Kirk D there was a prototype I think in the last AES show...

It seems the GML and Buzz should be the one to try...maybe pendulum?

[joeybaggadonuts]

GML thumbsup

[AB3]

Get the Jim Williams mod in the 651s. Probably the best deal around for absolute transparent. Really great on kick, toms and tightening up sounds.
Not my favorite for vocals by a long shot - UNLESS you have a fanatic vocalist who wants no additional color and you need to control the dynamics.


Cl1b or Vintage Designs are great on vocals. Buss also.

Pendulum - I say buzz over pendulum. My bias. The Buzz has a slight sweetness that I find lacking in the Pendulum. (also, the Buzz is easy to use - which never hurts.)

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

The Aphex 651 compressor is very transparent even at high ratios. Most all of the T-4 based optical photo cell compressors are very transparent at moderate settings. These would include the LA-2A, LA-3A, Anthony Demaria CL 1500, Manley etc.

J. Mike Perkins
jmikeperkins.com myspace.com/jmikeperkins

[meteor]

For vocals... can't say enough about the Safe Sound P1 comp. Very transparent even at -15db or so. Limited control as it does not have an adjustable release time, but I can't hear it coloring at all. Even the preamp is neutral... but I rarely use the pre. Never used the Safe Sound Stereo comp, but if it behaves the same with more control and features... gotta think it would be worth considering...

still... can't say enough about the P1 comp. Worth the price of admission alone...


cheers,

p.s. don't work for them or anyone...

[kingofswing]

Originally Posted by syra

Colored is when the sound changes the moment the unit is patched in, regardless of if compression is taking place. So you think the 5043 doesn't alter the sonic quality of the source?

Btw, I'm talking about fine details here...I don't want something that sounds "close" to the source. I need something transparent.

The Neve Portico 5043 is a color box for sure, but it does it in such a way that still retains the finer detail of the source. The feed-forward and feed-back modes offer two different characteristics and makes it very versatile imho. The transformers and the rest of the inside circuits are obviously going to impart a special something to the audio, so maybe this unit is not what you need, especially if you want 100% transparency.

I don't understand what you mean by not wanting something that sounds 'close' to the source, yet you want something transparent?

I get what you mean now, sorry. Not close or near close but dead on like the source...gotcha.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by kingofswing

I don't understand what you mean by not wanting something that sounds 'close' to the source, yet you want something transparent?

I think he means he wants purified water, not sugar water.

[emfrank72]

I think he means "close" isn't good enough. Has to be dead on.

[syra]

Yes I mean "close enough" won't cut it.

So it seems GML and Buzz are the only tickets in town? A friend of mine also tried the elysia alpha but said that it actually does have a "sound". Not as trandparent as he thought color-wise.

[KAJI]

Originally Posted by syra

So it seems GML and Buzz are the only tickets in town?

If you get the 8900 you won't only have a transparent compressor, you'll have an versatile box which you can get different sounds from. Go to George's page and see how he explains the series III. Great.

Haven't tried the Buzz. I would appreciate a couple of words by people who have tried both and can describe specially the Buzz. I know you have to hear these type of things but maybe someone can get me in the ballpark. Thanks thumbsup

[Jack P]

The GML 2030 is meant to be more transparent..

[gainreduction]

- Buzz Audio SOC 1.1

- SPL Dynamaxx

[peat]

how about cranesong STC-8?

[violindave]

meteor, you're using the P1 as just a comp? you send signal in from another pre and just set it with the P1 preamp volume off?


AB3, can you get a bit of color out of the Buzz if you want it?

[buickwilson]

GML

Takes awhile to get your head to understand the controls and how the ckt works, as it has a much control over the dynamics.

George's intent was to have as much control over the parameters as possible, so it can be quickly changed from a soft compressor like how the dynamics work in a LA2A or Fairchild or hard like a 1176. Obviously he wasn't trying to sound like a LA2A or Fairchild as the analog circuits are much different, but he did want the control over the dynamics of the signal to do the same type of job, just not coloring the sound.

What I like about the GML is it's main purpose is to control dynamics. To get control over the level to fit the track, rather then color or change the tone.

[MichaelPatrick]

Pendulum's OCL-2 is a dual mono/stereo tube transformerless comp with bypass switches. When in-circuit it's got an amazing pure and honest sound. Compression can be very fast, manual, or auto via presets with staged release times based on the source material.

I use it frequently as a parallel compressor to lift and sustain parts of the mix, and sometimes on a whole program with no compression because it sounds good on almost anything.