API 2500 or Alan Smart C2 (or and...!)

[Tom Sigmond]

Hello,


I'm into dance-music and wannahave a nice compressor which will give me ' that' punch in my stummic if I put my drums or my whole mix thru it.

I've heard good things about both the API 2500 and the Alan Smart C2.
Unfortunately those units aren't that easy to get both at home to try out. I can get a C2 to try out though.

What I like you guy's to ask is what you're experiences are with those pieces of equipment and especially those of you who are fortunated to own both and can tell me the difference.

Are they good for use with only the kick and bass or is it better to put the whole drumsection thru them and how do they behave on the whole mix?
But if say I use it on the whole drumsection or even the whole mix, do I still get that punch or in that case is it better to put the compressor only on the kick and bass.?

Or maybe...they're that good and different that I should get me both...? (now that sounded slutty isn't it...)

Thanks in advance.

gr. Tom

[antti]

Never used the Api but used the C2 few times in the past. C2 is basicly a SSL copy with 'crush' function. Great on 2 buss/drum group. You should also consider Neve 33609 and Manley Vari-Mu. Both cool cross the 2 buss and drum groups (and hell of a lot more). Never tried DBX 160SL but lots of people seem to hype it at the moment. Good luck mate!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by antti
Never used the Api but used the C2 few times in the past. C2 is basicly a SSL copy with 'crush' function. Great on 2 buss/drum group. You should also consider Neve 33609 and Manley Vari-Mu. Both cool cross the 2 buss and drum groups (and hell of a lot more). Never tried DBX 160SL but lots of people seem to hype it at the moment. Good luck mate!

The C2 doesn't sound like a copy of the SSL.

The C1 sounds closer, but not quite.

The SSL FX 384 is a better bet.

If you want that punch in the stomach, this is done more in the mix than on the mixbuss.

If the compression is overdone this will eat the punch anyway.

[Darius van H]

I reckon a Focusrite red 3 or the more expensive 230 blue would be a killer for putting that "bounce" into dance. The C2 is cool but i'm not sure i'd use it in that application. Th vari-mu would be ok but you'd have to watch your low end......some crafty parallel manouvers might solve that problem and give you a bad-boy sound...the same trick would work with the Phoenix.....The Hedd is also a nice 2-mix compressor.

[TML]

I agree with Thrill.....384

[Tom Sigmond]

Thanks for your reactions so far guys.

I know about ' the mix' Thrillfactor. That part is oké.
But as we all know, a good mix isn't only good mixing.

Its a bit cliché to say its all to the man behind the knobs. Offcourse it is, but its at least important behind which knobs he's sitting... .

So, back to the C2 and 2500. Nobody about the 2500?

There have been named a few others. Seems like there's not really a favorite here... .


grtz. Tom

[sixtoo]

I use the 2500 on every mix that comes out of my studio, on either drumbus or 2mix. Amon Tobin has one as well, and you can hear it all over his new soundtrack for Splinter Cell. It is a very rock compressor. People have mixed reviews on it, I think it is very very nice and serves the color function nicely. One thing you need to notice with it is this, you need to do you mix with it engaged, as just strapping ti across your 2 and pressing the beef buttons won't do it.

6.dos

[TinderArts]

I'm a 2500 user. It's very versatile with the old/new styles and the thrust circuit.

Sixtoo hit the nail on the head when he said to mix through the 2500. It's not as effective after a mix. Done right, the 2500 glues the mix together well without screwing transients and tone.

I highly recommend it and use it on most everything I do.

[sixtoo]

sixtoo also hit the nail on the head by noticing just how bad his spelling and typing are before anyone else mentioned it... damn man, voice recognition software I do need.

[Circuitt]

Yo, 6... anything along those lines... but more in a
budget fashion? i been doing stuff for a minute now , but all pretty much inside the box..
programing seqeneces "samplers" etc.. and i myself am trying to step it up on the mixing/recording end of the spectrim. trying to get that sound i been searching for, playing bass as well.
any suggestions on gear, got any older mid-range stuff for sale...

[Tom Sigmond]

Hello Sixtoo and TinderArts,



thanks for your advice.
I've used the searchbutton for the API and found a lot more enthausiastics and even a word from Paul Wolf himself. (offcourse he's very positive about it... )

You all say to mix with it allready engaged.
Then I assume its important to know a good startpoint to begin with.
As I mentioned in my first post I make dance-music, so for me its all about punch and I like that warmth too.

What would you suggest to be a good starttingpoint for the API as a 2-bus over the whole mix?
And what settings if I will use it on the groupbus for the drums?


Thanks.


grtz. Tom

[sixtoo]

... white shirt. blue jeans, lots of ink. louis fouton.
.... circuit, hit me off here... sixtoo@sixtoo.net

[Circuitt]

Dope, thanks for the insider tip...