Shadow Hills Dual Vandergraph

[ionian]

Originally Posted by Hansest

bump for more experiences. Can you use it in double mono? Thx

No, but you can use it on single Mono. I tested a unit for a bit. Ultimately it didn't vibe with me so I sent it back, but when I tested it I liked it on a couple of mono sources, especially vocals and mono electric piano. It's a bit dark on top so it can nicely take the edge off of sizzly vocals or tinkly electric pianos and make them somewhat silky.

The only 500 series, double width stereo compressor that I know of that can do either stereo or dual mono is the Safesound Stereo Toolbox. Another good choice.

Regards,
Frank

[an.unna.kid]

Originally Posted by ionian

No, but you can use it on single Mono. I tested a unit for a bit. Ultimately it didn't vibe with me so I sent it back, but when I tested it I liked it on a couple of mono sources, especially vocals and mono electric piano. It's a bit dark on top so it can nicely take the edge off of sizzly vocals or tinkly electric pianos and make them somewhat silky.

The only 500 series, double width stereo compressor that I know of that can do either stereo or dual mono is the Safesound Stereo Toolbox. Another good choice.

Regards,
Frank

I tried it on an old Rhodes MK 1 and it didn't do much more than bringing up the warmth, which is never a bad thing...

If you are looking for a fat sounding drumbus then this is your choice.
I've compared it to TK audio Bc1, Elysia Xpressor both which I also own and the Shadow hills kicked both their ass. Ok... The xpressor has more choices but even so you really have to take your time to achieve what Vandergraph does in two seconds for my drums.

It's expensive I know (even more so in Sweden...) but if you have the cash it's totally worth it. Not many will have the chance to grab one because of it's price tag so you will be alone with the sound, and that is appealing to me ;-) hahahahatutt

[ionian]

Originally Posted by an.unna.kid

If you are looking for a fat sounding drumbus then this is your choice.
I've compared it to TK audio Bc1, Elysia Xpressor both which I also own and the Shadow hills kicked both their ass. Ok... The xpressor has more choices but even so you really have to take your time to achieve what Vandergraph does in two seconds for my drums.

Ironically, the drum bus was the one place I didn't like it! I constantly felt like it "sucked" the snare drum back much further then I wanted it to. The lower ratios were nice, 1.2 and 2.5 but I didn't like the higher ones at all because of the fast attack and lack of control. That's what made me try it on other sources.

All compressors have their limitations and strengths. I also have an xpressor and while I agree it can be a bit tedious to set up, it definitely has it's strong points. I absolutely love it on bass with the warm button engaged. I used to EQ bass but since using the Xpressor, I don't feel the need to anymore. I also like it a lot on vocals, which is saying a lot since I have a Buzz Essence which is a great vocal compressor but in a lot of A/B tests, many times I couldn't tell them apart. Granted, again it takes time to set up the xpressor to get that effect but I'm really liking it a ton on vocals. I somewhat use the xpressor on drums but I find it works better on electronic drums or dance music then rock music. For rock music I much prefer the Obsidian on drums.

Also, to me, the Vandergraph narrowed the stereo field way too much for my liking. It had a great bottom to it, really bassy and heavy, but I felt that was part of the reason that it narrowed the stereo field too much in my opinion, so it's a matter of whether you want the vintage color and weight at the expense of the stereo field or if you want a more modern, hi-fi and wide sound at the expense of less bass, or weight. All of these are personal decisions. At this level, there are no bad compressors. There's only different tastes!

Then again, my main compressor is the Obsidian, and pretty much every compressor sounds narrow after that! And while it's super-wide, it doesn't have the heft of the Vandergraph.

I don't feel any compressor kicks any other's ass, as each of them have things they excel on. It's just a matter of playing up to each compressor's strengths. While in the end, I didn't like the Vandergraph overall, there were things I did like about it and if I could have afforded it, I would have definitely kept it for electric pianos and bright vocals. I also loved using the "bandpass" setting on vocals as well to keep the highs AND lows from overcompressing the vocals. That was another great feature.

Regardless of whether it vibed with me, it's a great compressor and it speaks to a lot of people. Gratz with your new purchase!

Regards,
Frank

[poizon74]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum!

Just bought some gear to start my own studio (check us out here: www.differential-productions.com if you're interested), more on the way too but man... just wanted to comment on the DV...

Holy mother of god I love this thing! It is a little darker on top (as people have said - but only slightly) so you should really pair with some kind of EQ (just ordered a Kush Clairphonic for that) but man... THE GAIN! Such sweet clean and clear gain, and so much of it! Just for fun I pushed all my latest mixes through this and it completely destroyed them (in a good way of course!). I'm finally able to get that BIG hard rock sound without any flutter or artifacts even when using severe compression.

One thing I noticed (and I'm wondering if anyone here who also has a DV noticed this) but when I go to power down my rack (it's an API 10 slot) on via the large, detached power supply, the needle on the DV pegs hard right (full red) and stays there! If you turn the rack back on and off again nothing, needle is still stuck.... the comp works fine regardless of where the needle is but this is annoying. If you actually remove the card from the rack the needle immediately returns to 0 (so strange). Just wondering if anyone has had this experience... I'm adding a power conditioner soon to control on and off and hopefully that doesn't jar the needle like powering off the actually PSU that came with the API rack...

Oh also because there was some discussion.... the DV does mono or stereo, the problem is that the controls are linked to both channels. So yes, it's not really dual mono, but if you find you want the SAME comp on input for two channels this will do it.

[Hansest]

Originally Posted by ionian

No, but you can use it on single Mono. I tested a unit for a bit. Ultimately it didn't vibe with me so I sent it back, but when I tested it I liked it on a couple of mono sources, especially vocals and mono electric piano. It's a bit dark on top so it can nicely take the edge off of sizzly vocals or tinkly electric pianos and make them somewhat silky.

The only 500 series, double width stereo compressor that I know of that can do either stereo or dual mono is the Safesound Stereo Toolbox. Another good choice.

Regards,
Frank

Thanks Frank and an.unna.kid for your opinions!I need to choose one buss comp this week, preferably today or 2morrow. I can´t demo them where i live, so that is not an option. Right now I am between DV, Dramastic 500 and the Safe Sound St tool box, I do have an Old World Audio Vari Mu U33 for the 2 buss, but the other would be living in drum buss or vocals, or horn buss. Damn it is hard to choose!!

[ionian]

Originally Posted by Hansest

Thanks Frank and an.unna.kid for your opinions!I need to choose one buss comp this week, preferably today or 2morrow. I can´t demo them where i live, so that is not an option. Right now I am between DV, Dramastic 500 and the Safe Sound St tool box, I do have an Old World Audio Vari Mu U33 for the 2 buss, but the other would be living in drum buss or vocals, or horn buss. Damn it is hard to choose!!

Make sure to visit this thread -

Safe Sound Audio Stereo Toolbox

Where my review starts on post #48. For the next few posts (and pages!) I compared the Stereo Toolbox, the Obsidian 500 and the Xpressor and provided some samples. I know there's no vandergraph in there, but since you mentioned the stereo toolbox and the obsidian, I figured I'd post that link here for you to check out if you haven't.

Good luck - I know this part is a pain - wrestling between different units. Oh, to be independently wealthy! I should start playing the lottery...

Regards,
Frank

[Hansest]

Originally Posted by ionian

Make sure to visit this thread -

Safe Sound Audio Stereo Toolbox

Where my review starts on post #48. For the next few posts (and pages!) I compared the Stereo Toolbox, the Obsidian 500 and the Xpressor and provided some samples. I know there's no vandergraph in there, but since you mentioned the stereo toolbox and the obsidian, I figured I'd post that link here for you to check out if you haven't.

Good luck - I know this part is a pain - wrestling between different units. Oh, to be independently wealthy! I should start playing the lottery...

Regards,
Frank

me too! thanks for the link... checking it out. Oh, and i forgot I am curious about the Alta Moda Hippo too.

[deelectrixx]

Few weeks ago I was completely going to buy an SSL Stereo Bus Compressor and put it into a Mynx box but I recently discovered this bad boy and I totally dont know which compressor should I get. SSL or Shadow Hills Dual Vandergraph? I mostly doing electronic music and if I only could I would buy both of them but since I can only get one of this bad boys which one should I choose? What would be better? Please Help!!

[ionian]

You should definitely try to get both and demo them because they don't sound remotely alike.

In my personal opinion, going by what you just said I'd recommend the SSL for electronic and pop and the Vandergraph for rock. The Vandergraph had a darker more vintagey sound that's well suited for Rock.

The SSL can be really tight and can get pumpy if you want which is especially suited for dance music.

Again, this is just my opinion but really try to demo them if you can.

Regards,
Frank

[Saxon-of-a-son]

Originally Posted by loveinoctober

Hi,

I was thing about getting a optograph, but then I started to look at the vandergraph. I mainly want a high quality opto compressor for vocals and instruments (electric guitar, piano, acoustic instruments). The vandergraph looks cool and I like that it's stereo and another flavor bus compressor is always good (I have a Alan Smart C2).

How does the vandergraph and opto graph compare sonically? Is it basically the same thing but in stereo and with variable ratios?

Is the vandergraph good on individual tracks like voice, or is it mainly a bus compressor?

If anybody has owned both the opto and vandergraph please chime in.

I don't think anybody quite answered these questions yet, but I'd like to know, too. How do Vandergraph and Optograph compare sonically and in application? I have two slots left in my rack--an opto or a vander? More interested in one-channel applications, so two channels not the big factor for me. Also, I would probabaly use this for light tracking compression.

[mattyc]

Originally Posted by Saxon-of-a-son

I don't think anybody quite answered these questions yet, but I'd like to know, too. How do Vandergraph and Optograph compare sonically and in application? I have two slots left in my rack--an opto or a vander? More interested in one-channel applications, so two channels not the big factor for me. Also, I would probabaly use this for light tracking compression.

I have both (my Optograph is the 19" version but I understand they are pretty similar) having got the DV about a week ago

For light tracking compression I would probably go with the Opto.
Both are fantastic pieces though !

[Saxon-of-a-son]

Originally Posted by mattyc

I have both (my Optograph is the 19" version but I understand they are pretty similar) having got the DV about a week ago

For light tracking compression I would probably go with the Opto.
Both are fantastic pieces though !

I don't put much (or really, any) stock in Sweetwater reviews, but someone on that site says the Opto is LA2A-ish. Any response to that? I'd love an LA2A in 500-series (just dreamin').

[Silver Sonya]

They just mean that it is an optical compressor and therefore is comparable to an LA2A.

It has a different sound than that, but it's close enough for most people. For most people, an opto is an opto is an opto.

- c

[Magucci]

I remember Dave Pensado mentioned on his place that the optograph 500 by Shadow Hills is a LA2A style comp.

[Silver Sonya]

Yes, it is an opto.

- c

[AB3]

Since there is so much talk about the optograph on this thread - I have a question - does it have a link switch?

[riffmachine]

Originally Posted by AB3

Since there is so much talk about the optograph on this thread - I have a question - does it have a link switch?

No link. - Paul

[Samael]

Thought I would add to this instead of starting a new thread.

I have recently bought into some 500 gear.
SH Dual Vandergrpah being the last peice on order to fill my first 6B.

This thread has been great (especially Silver Sonya's comments), and I was already sold on one after talking to a bunch of people that had used it, and also the SHMC.

Im more than happy to sit it on the drum bus, with the Dramstic Obsidian on the mix bus, but have any of you guys been regularly using the Dual Vandergraph for other purposes?

Samael.

[SeanMS]

Attack & Release Times:
- Ratio 1.2:1 = Attack 30ms / Release 0.1sec
- Ratio 2.5:1 = Attack 30ms / Release 0.5sec
- Ratio 4:1 = Attack 10ms / Release 0.5sec
- Ratio 8:1 = Attack 0.5ms / Release 0.25sec

Manual here: http://shadowhillsindustries.com/pdf...andergraph.pdf

[jasonwagner]

Originally Posted by Samael

Thought I would add to this instead of starting a new thread.

I have recently bought into some 500 gear.
SH Dual Vandergrpah being the last peice on order to fill my first 6B.

This thread has been great (especially Silver Sonya's comments), and I was already sold on one after talking to a bunch of people that had used it, and also the SHMC.

Im more than happy to sit it on the drum bus, with the Dramstic Obsidian on the mix bus, but have any of you guys been regularly using the Dual Vandergraph for other purposes?

Samael.

I use it for drum OH while tracking, also for digital piano analog outs while tracking, usually a very low ratio just touching it.

[Samael]

Cheers Jason.

Keys is always handy.... even for quick demos/ pre prod. Nice.

Any other bites?

[mattyc]

used it on a Trillian bass guitar the other day to great effect

[shanegrush]

Hey guys,

Curious, what do you guys think of the Shadow Hills Vandergraph vs. the SSL 500 Series Bus Comp that just came out?

Any thoughts on what you guys would go with between the two?
I'm in the market for a bus compressor and new to the 500 series, but I initially dig the options available.

Thoughts?

Shane