First Outboard Compressor

[Helius]

I know this has been probably discussed to death. So sorry for that.
At the moment I am in the process of buying my first outboard compressor. I already have almost every compressor plugin apart from Brainworx Vertigo, Softube Summit and some UAD compressors. As I already mentioned I want to buy my first outboard compressor now. Mainly I want to use it for 2Bus and mastering. Music style will be about 80 percent Pop and Electronic Music the other 20 percent will be punk and metal.

I already did some research and at the moment I think the Thermionic Phoenix Mastering Edition will be right for me but I am not shure yeat.

Other compressors I thought about was:
Crane Song STC-8
D.W. Fearn VT-7
API 2500 (I have already the waves plugin)
Chandler Zener Limiter (I have already the Abbey Roads Plugin)
Vertigo VSC-2

My dealer (who was always really honest in the past) recommended me the Gyraf Gyratec X (but I never heard about this one) He told me, that the Gyratec holds up to the Manley, but costs much less. He also said that the Drawmer S3 would be nice or maybe the P3S (which he gets in the near future)

So as you maybe understand I am a little bit confused by now.
Any recommendations from the Slutz side???

[yotonic]

The Drawmer is a good call, one of William Orbit's favorites and used by a lot of house/techno cats.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Helius

Music style will be about 80 percent Pop and Electronic Music the other 20 percent will be punk and metal.

Just get a 384 and be done with it, it glues and it smacks in all the right ways for what you're doing.


Gregory Scott - ubk

[in the red]

sounds like your dealer is d.a.s.? if so, they let you demo units as far as i know. so do that!

[Helius]

You are right. My dealer is D.A.S. and I am going to try some different compressors, but it seems like it is not so easy for them to get the Phoenix. Apart from that I would like to narrow down the list to test only 3 units.

[gyraf]

For electronic music, you'll probably want the /Hpf version of the G10 (switchable sidechain high-pass filter)

As Red says, it's pretty important to try stuff like this in your own studio, with your own productions.

While you're at it, you should try the STC-8 and the API2500 along with the G10: Those three will cover a wide range of subjective taste, making it easier for you to figure out what direction you like.

And please - don't expect the hardware boxes to bear much resemblance to any of the simulations...

Jakob E.

[Helius]

I already had the API 2500 in my studio once, but I couldn't compare it to any other Hardware compressor. I thought the API sounded really good and glued the mix together and added more depth. Do you really think that hardware compressors sound so much different than their software emulations. Most people say that the emulations are really close today. Maybe I should try to get the Gyraf, API, Cranesong and Drawmer at the same time. So nobody recommends the Phoenix for my needs?

[jensenmann]

+1 what Jakob says. G10 and STC8 cover a lot of ground.

If it´s not too much to drive I could offer you to come to my place (Baden Baden) and check the G10 and STC8 we have along with TK audio BC1, Vintagedesign CL1 and a bunch of others. Since Jean of Akzent Audio lives just a few minutes away you could talk him into demoing a VT-7 at my place that day.

[matucha]

Perhaps instead of STC8 you could consider pair of trakkers... great allarounders. Or perhaps the new Titans could be even more interesting and less pricey.

[laddie.music2]

Drip 670, beauuuutiful

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Helius

Do you really think that hardware compressors sound so much different than their software emulations.

I make both, and the answer for me is an unequivocal 'Yes'.

Originally Posted by Helius

Most people say that the emulations are really close today.

It depends on your definition of 'close', what aspects of the sound you're comparing, and how much the differences matter to you.

The rub is that software can do things hardware can't, so the fact that the tools are 'different' does not equate to one being better than the other. They have different strengths and weaknesses... sonics, workflow, cost, all these things factor differently for different people.

Most people I know use both, and I think that's as it should be.


Gregory Scott - ubk

[Earcatcher]

I would certainly try an Elysia (Mpressor or Xpressor) for what you seem to be wanting to do with it.

[Steele]

Plug-ins SUCK. IMHO

[Kae]

I had the same needs and I went with Vertigo VSC-2, and I find hard to make it sound bad, even when applying massice amounts of GR. Great box !

[8inthemorning]

Originally Posted by Helius

Mainly I want to use it for 2Bus and mastering. Music style will be about 80 percent Pop and Electronic Music the other 20 percent will be punk and metal.

I already did some research and at the moment I think the Thermionic Phoenix Mastering Edition will be right for me but I am not shure yeat.

Qes labs Variable-Gm, worth a check.

[leaper]

Like your original post title reads: 'First Compressor'. Most of us will be assuming that this is a beginning on the road that leads to impoverishment.
In which case, I would suggest trying to sift out the specialist items and heading towards an all rounder. You're going to end up getting them all anyway!

In my experience (mastering), the Thermionic Phoenix, API 2500 and Zener, while amazing in their own right, have got less going for them in the all rounder stakes than the Cranesong and Vertigo.
And even the Vertigo sometimes raises questions on account of the beautiful shine it invariably imparts.
So, guess I would agree with the people who recommend the STC 8. Perhaps
matucha's suggestion (trakkers) is even more pertinent on account of the 2 separate boxes you would be getting?
Sorry... haven't used the Fearn.

apparently not very popular around here, I find the Alan Smart C1, C2 perfect more often than not. Considering the pricetag, you should include it in your Demolist.

[cheu78]

I'd try the Dramastic Obsidian (if SSLish is what you're after) or maybe the Elysia.. The API 2500 is also a great piece.. I know Charter Oak made a nice buss compressor, don't remember the model though.. Was/is a nice piece IMO.

All the option mentioned are probably great anyway.. It's a matter of taste..(and genre).

Can't go wrong with these, but try them in your place as other suggested..



Cheu

[firefly419]

Originally Posted by Helius

I already had the API 2500 in my studio once, but I couldn't compare it to any other Hardware compressor. I thought the API sounded really good and glued the mix together and added more depth. Do you really think that hardware compressors sound so much different than their software emulations. Most people say that the emulations are really close today. Maybe I should try to get the Gyraf, API, Cranesong and Drawmer at the same time. So nobody recommends the Phoenix for my needs?

The software doesn't compare to the hardware. Never does IMO. I love my 2500 on many styles... It gives a mix "fangs" or something.... ahhhh...

[uijui]

i'd highly recommend the shadow hills mastering compressor,
it's more expensive, yes, but covers a lot of ground and D.A.S. carry it as well...

[tomdarude]

I actually can´t wait for Paul to show the new Tonelux Stereocomp...hopefully @ Musikmesse ....maybe this will be the long awaited alternative to the 2500.

There´s a huuuuuge choice of pieces out there, in which somewhere will be your favorite piece.....which one that is, no one here can predict! that´s unfortunately how it works.

could be SSL, FCS, 2500, Vari-Mu, Phoenix, Buzz SOC, pair of Ltd.2´s, pair of 176´s, or a Rockruepel (probably my favorite for a desert island comp)

ymmv big time

[JL.]

Originally Posted by Steele

Plug-ins SUCK. IMHO

Why? I like both, but I want to hear your reason for such a blunt response. A lot of plug-ins are very useful.

[Oldone]

Plugs are sonic filters regardless of their label. If they are compressors, then they are sonic filters with a volume control. They rarely sound close to their hardware counterparts. But they may be useful.

[axelhuber]

Hi,

about one year ago I was in the same situation, and D.A.S sent me the Gyratec (I think this is what they always do) It was a cool opportunity but it didn't buy it (too slow for most of the things I wanted to do ). I would recommend you to get in touch with Markus Heilmaier from Vertigo. He is a very nice person and he sent me a demo unit right away. My own fault because I kept it... but I never looked back.

I also checked the API (really cool but more coloured than the Vertigo) and the TG1 (really liked this one also but not for the 2Bus especially for electronic music) and the Rockruepel (not my cup of tea; the unit looks also waaaay more coloured than it sounds)

I couldn't manage to get a demo unit of the thermionic culture stuff. If you know a store that has demo units please tell me because I'm still really excited about the pieces.

[JL.]

Originally Posted by Oldone

Plugs are sonic filters regardless of their label. If they are compressors, then they are sonic filters with a volume control. They rarely sound close to their hardware counterparts. But they may be useful.

I can asume that this was in regards to my post. Wether plugs sound like the original or not, my point was that they are useful and just another tool for the trade. And also, who doesn't know that they are sonic filters, beside a new person that has no clue whatsoever about audio engineering?

My response was because when someone states, "plug-ins suck" and that's it, then it has no meaning. Especially for someone that would come across this thread and not know the difference because they are just learning audio. Or are learning the difference between running a cheap crappy interface and moving to outboard pres and comps and a decent converter...etc.

Not trying to start anything, but I was wandering what bothered him about plug-ins that much since successful audio engineers are using both and getting satisfying results. Or was it just a "I'm an elitist that only use old school blah blah blah" statement.

[themainbitch]

Originally Posted by Helius

I know this has been probably discussed to death. So sorry for that.
At the moment I am in the process of buying my first outboard compressor. I already have almost every compressor plugin apart from Brainworx Vertigo, Softube Summit and some UAD compressors. As I already mentioned I want to buy my first outboard compressor now. Mainly I want to use it for 2Bus and mastering. Music style will be about 80 percent Pop and Electronic Music the other 20 percent will be punk and metal.

I already did some research and at the moment I think the Thermionic Phoenix Mastering Edition will be right for me but I am not shure yeat.

Other compressors I thought about was:
Crane Song STC-8
D.W. Fearn VT-7
API 2500 (I have already the waves plugin)
Chandler Zener Limiter (I have already the Abbey Roads Plugin)
Vertigo VSC-2

My dealer (who was always really honest in the past) recommended me the Gyraf Gyratec X (but I never heard about this one) He told me, that the Gyratec holds up to the Manley, but costs much less. He also said that the Drawmer S3 would be nice or maybe the P3S (which he gets in the near future)

So as you maybe understand I am a little bit confused by now.
Any recommendations from the Slutz side???

Have you considered renting some first to try them out first hand?

[captainj]

Have not tried all the compressors mentioned/listed but I'd like to +1 for the Smart C2. Easy to use and get a great sound with quickly - I much prefer it over the API2500 for 2bus duties.

As others have mentioned, you really need to try any piece of gear in your own studio to find your preference