2x Purple Audio MC77 vs. 2x Distressors vs. MC77+ Distressor

[MicSlut666]

I am looking forward to pull the trigger on my first pair of versatile hardware tracking compressors.

Would you go for two Purple MC77 or two Empirical Labs EL8x for the beginning? Or would you start with one MC77 and one Distressor? I think the last setup would give me the greatest versatility.

Sources would be vocals, electric + acoustic guitars, bass, Kick + Snare, Drum Room.

[Zuewi]

One stereo unit would be better to start with...maybe, and it's cheaper throu.
Something like API 2500?

[seaneldon]

Originally Posted by Zuewi

One stereo unit would be better to start with...maybe, and it's cheaper throu.
Something like API 2500?

Why? He wants to track a bunch of things that aren't/don't always need to be stereo. And I'd imagine he wants separate controls of both channels.

One Distressor and one MC77 is a beautiful thing in my book.

[IntenseJim]

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Priceless signature.

[renny3c]

i was in the same situation...
i got one of each!!! like sean said... both will be a beautiful thing...
i prefered two different flavors over having stereo...
later you can get something for stereo (like the api that was suggested)...

cheers!

[strewnshank]

MC77 and EL8. I have 2 EL8's and never use them in stereo.

Sean actually sold me my MC77, and I freakin love it.

[NathanEldred]

One of each. They are quite different (even when the Distressor is 'emulating' the 1176). Most of the stuff that gets compressed you'll probably be doing mono, or some variation of two tracks that are ultimately mono (like bass DI combined with a bass amp). Even if it was a pure stereo track, like acoustic guitar, it's not the end of the world if you use different compressors in dual mono...in fact it might make it a lot more interesting.

[TonyBelmont]

Hmmmm... Do you plan on doing any stereo compression? Like compression on the MIX BUSS?

If not, I would say get one of each...

But, If you want something that would be great on everything INCLUDING mix buss, then I would not get either of them, and look at something like the API 2500 or the Aurora GTC2, etc.

[Zuewi]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

Why? He wants to track a bunch of things that aren't/don't always need to be stereo. And I'd imagine he wants separate controls of both channels.

One Distressor and one MC77 is a beautiful thing in my book.

Why?? Nothing personal but I already said in my message before.
Ok, I repeat it:
First because it's my opinion, this board is about differen't opinions isn't it?
I personally think it's better to start with a stereo unit than with two monos and maybe a few people would agree with me....
Just easier to handle, u doesn't have to mess arround so much, can be used at stereo application and also mono.
He talked about guitar and drum overhead recordings so one unit of each like you suggested wouldn't work that good unless you want all the time differen't sounds of both speakers.
And it's also much cheaper!!! Just calculate 1x API 2500 is maybe 2,5k and 2x Distressor 3k and 2x MC77 3,5k that makes 6,5k!!!!! (sorry if my prices aren't up to date)
That's quite much for the start isn't it??....

[Zuewi]

Originally Posted by IntenseJim

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[renny3c]

Originally Posted by Zuewi

Just calculate 1x API 2500 is maybe 2,5k and 2x Distressor 3k and 2x MC77 3,5k that makes 6,5k!!!!!

i agree, 5 compressors is too much to start off....
how about starting with one of each... then lookin into getting the API 2500 or another stereo or buss comp later!

[Zuewi]

Originally Posted by renny3c

i agree, 5 compressors is too much to start off....
how about starting with one of each... then lookin into getting the API 2500 or another stereo or buss comp later!

sorry didn't look like it but i meant 1x 2500 api (2,5k) vs 2xDistressor (3k) and 2xMC77 (3,5k) which cost 6,5k

[IntenseJim]

I'm new hear but I have to go out on a limb, make friends, and say that you guys sound like a bunch of pansies.

You are supposed to purchase seventy-seven MC77, eight EL8 and and twenty five hundred API 2500. That's why they give them those numbers.

Sean sold me mm MC77 too. Maybe instead of what I wrote above, those are sales guidelines. Like, if Sean sells 77 of the Purple MC, he get's a free cable or Digi lanyard.

[Drum9uy]

The poster used "vs." in between the set ups, therefore he didn't mean getting 2 distressors AND 2 purples. It was 2 Distressors VS 2 Purples VS 1 of each

going off of VK's prices:

EL8-S - $2700
EL8X-S - $2970
2 x MC77 - $3300
EL8+MC77 - $2950
EL8X+MC77 - $3180

API 2500 - $2546


Now the API does cost less than any of those options, but it also doesn't sound the same as the others. Assuming these are the color that they want then it's worth the extra bucks. And if they got two of the same kind especially since the Distressor ones have a stereo link when you buy the pair there's no reason they couldn't run them stereo if they wanted.


I'm not trying to attack Zuewi for his opinion about a stereo unit. Just as tony mentioned: if you will want to use it on mix bus / other stereo sources it may be worth considering the API or the Aurora. But if 99% of their use is going to go towards mono, then get one of each and gain from variety.

[jjblair]

It's always great to have pairs. Mics, pres, compressors, you name it. Always beats having one of everything.

Personally, I would get 2 MC77s, use them on stereo rooms for tracking drums, and then use them on the mix bus for mixing.

[Groff]

Except Distressor, what would you choose in the same price range to pair with MC77 for the general tracking duties (mono)? Kind of substitute with more mojo/less tweakability ...

[MicSlut666]

Thanks for the input so far.

As posted i am looking for two compressors, not 5 .

Seems like one Distressor and one MC77 gets the vote for starting with tracking compressors as the most versatile solution. Later i could add a second Distressor and would have a stereo pair for use on Mix Buss - especially Drum Buss i guess. The API 2500 is also on Top off my list but as said i wanted to start with tracking comps and the API is more kind of a buss compressor/mastering i think. It will also handle tracking duties but the Distressor + Mc77 seem like a better option.

[mcballs]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Hmmmm... Do you plan on doing any stereo compression? Like compression on the MIX BUSS?

If not, I would say get one of each...

But, If you want something that would be great on everything INCLUDING mix buss, then I would not get either of them, and look at something like the API 2500 or the Aurora GTC2, etc.

Tony, you're forgotting that you can't use a mixbuss compressor for tracking... it's againts gearslutz law.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by mcballs

Tony, you're forgotting that you can't use a mixbuss compressor for tracking... it's againts gearslutz law.

Especially since this is the High End Forum.

[roger]

one of each for tracking!!! - el8: you will like the opto ratio for bass and some vox and you will like the 77 for rocky stuff - a very cool vibe and sounds more characterful than the el8 in any of it's various ratios.....el8 3:1 is cool for acoustic guitars - nice and smooth and pretty transparent.....i love em both but if i was to get another of either one it would actually be the el8x....it can do a lot of things very nicely.

[bforest4]

I would get one distressor(or the MC77), and one used tubetech CL1B (my favoriter for vocals), and then when more funds are available get an alan smart C2 used for the mix buss.

[Fletcher]

FWIW I have one of each in my room... at times we've had two of each but it really came down to only needing one of each.

We have very limited rack space so the stuff that is in there has to be in near constant use for it to remain in place.

Peace.