Heavy Metal/Hard Rock/Death Metal stereo buss compressor

[Phantom Void]

Hi

I need a stereo buss comp to strap across my mix buss (would also be cool, if it can be used for a drum or gtr. subgroup) I mainly do Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Death Metal bands, in the old school way (I´m not searching for a modern/clean sound) My budget is 2000-2500USD new or secondhand.

What would some of you experienced slutz recommend?

I have a few ideas of what maybe would work, but I´m open to your opinions. Thanks.

/Alberto

[eso]

I work with these styles quite frequently and I (sometimes) use a Tube-Tech SMC2A multiband compressor for buss/group compression. It also works fine as part of a mastering chain if you also do mastering. It can be subtle or obvious, depending on how you set it, but it is versatile as a buss compressor because you have the added bonus of the different bands and the ability to shape the bands after compression.

You might be lucky enough to find one for about $2500 used, but I rarely see these on the second-hand market, which is probably testimony to how good they are. They're great for vocals during mixdown, to stop belted vocals getting too harsh. You can also enhance the proximity effect and keep it under control with the low-band compression. Can use on instruments too.

Also good on guitar buss, to tighten up the low end thump from palm muting, without ducking the other frequency bands.

The only problem I have with it, is deciding which part of the mix I want to use it on

[MIKEHARRIS]

find a used SSL or a new API

[Lindell]

SSL

[C_F_H_13]

THE SSL Buss Compressor is pretty sweet for sure. I've only used the tubetech once and I gotta say it's definetly a contender for my next purchase. The way it works the low end is almost a neccesity for metal.

Api 2500 is good too (that's what I have now), but after using the tube tech I feel like I'm missing something.....

[Exsanguis]

SSL or Smart C2(or C1)

[Phantom Void]

SSL....which one? FX384? Is this the old model, everyone is talkin about?


http://cgi.ebay.com/SSL-FX-G384-RACK...QQcmdZViewItem

[James Lugo]

I tried to find a 384 for a long time with no luck so I bought a C2 and it sounds great. A guy just brought over a 384 recently, it was nice but I wouldn't dump my C2. It also splits to 2 compressors and is great for tracking. I just was given a record the other night from the label that we tracked and mixed, it sounded sick! If you don't find a 384 I'd go C2 all the way.

[TheSweetener]

I mostly do really heavy metal stuff and I mostly don't use any 2bus compression at all. Everything (especially extremely distorted guitars) are already sooo compressed and one thing IMO that is really different in metal is that you want to make kick + snare cut out extremely.
A 2bus compressor mostly does not help me with that, because there's no air to breath anyway in really heavey metal mixes.

[cdog]

I find peak limiting the buss 2-3db more musical than compression in most cases.

I compress individual tracks (vocals, drums) enough that buss compression doesn't do much. Guitar and bass amps slam the signal anyway.

Compression can mess with your arrangement, your transients, make the mix "softer", sometimes this can be a desireable effect, for me, usually not.

But, I'm usually not mixing. death metal

More modern rock, indie rock, electro funk LSD music.

So I just put the master fader @ 0, and run it through the UA Precision Limiter.

Depending on the mix levels, this usually results in 2-3db peak limiting.

Anymore than that and its "overcooked."

BTW I used to own a Smart C2 - awesome vocal tracking compressor.

[EngineEars]

Too bad no one makes a stereo compressor with the trucker's step metal faceplate (ala Mesa Rectifier.) That would be hott for this application.

[Phantom Void]

Originally Posted by TheSweetener

I mostly do really heavy metal stuff and I mostly don't use any 2bus compression at all. Everything (especially extremely distorted guitars) are already sooo compressed and one thing IMO that is really different in metal is that you want to make kick + snare cut out extremely.
A 2bus compressor mostly does not help me with that, because there's no air to breath anyway in really heavey metal mixes.

I see what you mean. But remember, I do a lots of Rock/Hard Rock stuff also, not only Death Metal and beyond. FYI, when recording Death Metal bands and such, I NEVER use extreme distortion. Ain´t gonna work for me.

Ok, so far I´m thinkin of:

SSL FX384
Alan Smart C2
API 2500
RMS (Heard Steve´s samples in his thread)
Drawmer 1968 (What´s your opinion on this one?)

I think the Tube-Tech is out of my budget for the moment


/Alberto

[TheSweetener]

Originally Posted by Phantom Void

I NEVER use extreme distortion.

/Alberto

Yeah, that's one of the keys to get a tight loend on downtuned guitars!
But eventhough, it's mostly still gain enough to avoid any compression.


We have an API 2500 here. Nice compressor, nice for the 2bus, nice for drumsgroups. But as I said, I don't do much 2bus compression for metal.

[Jules]

You may find that SSL gives you what you are looking for..

Can you rent / borrow one to try out?

But as James says it is 'locked' / fixed stereo and it's 'cousin' the C2 from Alan Smart can work as two independent mono compressors - so you might get more use out of it while tracking a band.

That said I've used my SSL comp to record Bass amp & Di signals while tracking - to good effect. I found it imparted a sort of Pearl Jam 'glide' to the bass parts - fluid yet extremely controlled.

I put up an mp3 of me using it on the bass while tracking then on the drum group while mixing - get that red checked shirt out! - we are going back to the mid 90's - and its grunge time!

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...110#post504110

There are lots to chose from out there!

Let us know what you settle on.

[Gie-Sound]

Not 1 easy answer for this one....
For mix compression for rock mixes I have used/tried (over the last few years)

-Neve 33609
-Chandler LTD-2's
-Summit DCL200
-Drawmer 1969
-SSL bus compressor (most of the times with a highpass on the sidechain)
-Tubetech (the multiband)
-Fatso
-Manley VariMu
-(and stuff I forgot about)

....it really depends.... But the last two years the 1969 has become my favorite for (heavy)rock. Sometimes I combine it with a touch of SSL or some Fatso (no compression, no tranny... just some saturation)... or a bit of both...

Others listed above also worked... although I am not a big fan of the TubeTech multiband and Manley Vari-Mu for 2bus....

Just my 2cents

[nobtwiddler]

Lets see...

Immolation,
Anthrax,
Bleeding Through,
Violent Delight,
Dry Kill Logic,
Slunt,
A Dozen Dead Roses,
The Agony Scene,
etc, etc, etc,


All SSL Logic 384...
It's a beautful thing for heavy stuff...

Paul
www.millbrooksoundstudios.com

[Phantom Void]

Originally Posted by Jules

You may find that SSL gives you what you are looking for..

Can you rent / borrow one to try out?

Hi Jules

No, it´s pretty hard to come by all this nice equipment here, unless you KNOW you gonna buy it! So I have to be pretty sure, before I place my order!

I think the Drawmer 1968, is the only one I could have within a week or two, to try out.

Thanks for the mp3 btw Is that the old FX384?

Thanks for all your input so far everyone thumbsup


/Alberto

[Phantom Void]

Hi.

Just wanted to say, I´ve bought the old grey-face SSL FX384 comp and ordered the Drawmer 1968 (should be here next week).

I´ve spent about an hour with the SSL on the drum buss and mix buss....man...this thing sounds GOOD!! A nice wide and big sound!! It really pushes the verb on the snaretrack forward! Just beautyful! I will be mixing some rock stuff next week, can´t wait to use this cool piece!

/Alberto


BTW. The light in the "Compressor in" button is gone. Does any of you know how to fix this? Does it need a new button or just a new lightbulb?

[AlexLakis]

The SSL bus compressor is the fabled "studio magic" button. I'd love to get one when I can afford it.

[six_wax]

Originally Posted by Phantom Void

Hi.

BTW. The light in the "Compressor in" button is gone. Does any of you know how to fix this? Does it need a new button or just a new lightbulb?

I don't think I've ever seen a 384 where that light actually worked.

Took me a while to find the "surface" and the gain structuring going into the 384 that gave me the window I wanted, but now that I know it, it's like a whole new tool... very familiar sound once I started adjusting my mixing style to take advantage of it...

-s_w
(impetuous upstart)

[drundall]

Originally Posted by Phantom Void

I see what you mean. But remember, I do a lots of Rock/Hard Rock stuff also, not only Death Metal and beyond. FYI, when recording Death Metal bands and such, I NEVER use extreme distortion. Ain´t gonna work for me.

Ok, so far I´m thinkin of:

SSL FX384
Alan Smart C2
API 2500
RMS (Heard Steve´s samples in his thread)
Drawmer 1968 (What´s your opinion on this one?)

I think the Tube-Tech is out of my budget for the moment


/Alberto

The SSL, C2, and 2500 are all good.
The 33609, mentioned earlier, sucks for this application. Just my opinion.

Many death metal bands actually have a good tone in the guitars and it is actually cleaner than some rock stuff. Let's the articulation of the low fast riffs come out. I think you just need some gel and a little evening out of the peaks. It's a little different than straight rock where you can really clobber stuff and it sometimes sounds better. The 3 mentioned comps will do both things for you really well.

Cheers and good luck.

[Reptil]

hey you're in danmark right?
why not try the Gyratec X?
www.gyraf.dk

I'm finally going to listen to one here in a studio that has done a lot of rock mixes, including motorpsycho. and Jacob has many many tricks up his sleeve. nice person too.
it's supposed to be a BIG sounding unit with balls. kinda fits the bill doesn't it? Or maybe not? how handy are you with a soldering tool btw? that will open some doors...
SSL type can give you that agressive forward sound. I have some clones here. I don't use that on the 2 buss. sortof flattens the thing (mine don't have sidechain filtering), but it might be also the ticket. Also I like the 1176 thing sometimes. I don't put my urei on the mixbus because it's mono but it has balls too. I'm not recommending the 1968 because I didn't hear it. but check other links for happy campers...

what do you want? you want control or guts? Metal sounds like guts...

[SLy_drums]

I'm in search for one too, and I mostly record metal/hardcore stuff.

May the DBX 160 SL do the job right ? I heard it can have an SSLish sound.

Where can I buy a brand new or used SSL FX384 ?

[six_wax]

I agree that the Neve'ish flavors [33609, 2254, LTD-2] are not so hot for that style of music...

[pigpen]

Personally, the API 2500 with its Old and New flavors....go check out Andy Sneaps forum as well....he uses the C2.

[Purusha]

I have 1968 and it rocks. I got a new one for 890€. The big switch is a killer! Try it before buying anything else. I do all kind off metal bands. Ever heared of Noctiferia?

Purusha

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by Purusha

I got a new one for 890€.

Hi Purusha, so you made the choice. Cool it's worked out good. Where on earth did you get it for 890 euros?? (!)

[Phantom Void]

Originally Posted by SLy_drums

Where can I buy a brand new or used SSL FX384 ?

I bought it from someone in Rome, Italy. Via ebay. No bids on his auction, so I made him an offer

[Phantom Void]

Originally Posted by Reptil

Where on earth did you get it for 890 euros?? (!)

I wanna know that too!

[futur2]

Originally Posted by Phantom Void

I wanna know that too!

me too!