Smooth & warm sounding compressor/limiter

[MDM]

Hi

What's a smooth and warm sounding (dual-mono) compressor ?

I want to use it mainly for mastering my mixes, but also for tracking sometimes.

The type of music ---> world, electronic ( soft stuff, no hard dance ) .. I need a smooth sounding, warm module ... something that really adds to the sound in a pleasant and beautiful way. Not rock&roll or techno, but refined acoustic instruments & modern elctronic/world/crossover/ambient-lounge stuff...

I can spend up to 2500 bucks or so - Any suggestions are welcome.
I looked at the Rupert Neve 5043 - which looks interesting ..
Should it be valve, or not etc.. ?

Suggestions please - what works for you .. best, MDM ... www.mdmsound.com - you can also check some of my work here & maybe that helps with advice...

I already own Sony Oxford Bundle, Metric Halo ULN2 and 2882 -- Just no good outboard Compressor/Limiter

[cap217]

vari-mu
1969
stc-8
fatso

[nlc201]

33609
Smart C2
Weiss (more $ though)
GML (even more $)
Dakings (They actually work remarkably well on the 2 bus sometimes)

The Cranesong STC-8 recommendation is seconded. Probably your best bet.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by MDM

Suggestions please - what works for you .. best, MDM ... www.mdmsound.com - you can also check some of my work here & maybe that helps with advice...

Nice Chillout music(big fan myself).thumbsup


I don't think a comp is the thing.


I would look at a tape machine actually myself.

[GYang]

Drawmer 1968

[MDM]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Nice Chillout music(big fan myself).thumbsup


I don't think a comp is the thing.


I would look at a tape machine actually myself.

thanks !

Amazing, since I was playing with that idea the last days .. to get a tape-machine like an ampex or something -- the I came across the Rupert Neve Tape - emulation that some people say has great results .. But then I figured, what I really need is a creamy sounding compressor ... Maybe I need both !

[u b k]

why dual mono?

i think the only dual mono comp suggested thus far is the dakings.


gregoire
del ubik

[MDM]

Originally Posted by u b i k

why dual mono?

i think the only dual mono comp suggested thus far is the dakings.


gregoire
del ubik

well

I want to be able to use the compressor on a mono-channel ( eq Mic )

and also, I want the comp. be able to compress a mix ..

Is that maybe just called STEREO-compressor ?

[airmate]

pendulum ocl-2: very warm, smooth and transparent... thumbsup

[ethan_c]

Chandler TG-1 (dual mono) for nice smooth compression (in comp. mode) or hard pumping (in limit) as well. STC-8 has a little more punch and overall is more transparent although it can get nasty with the right settings.

[MDM]

Originally Posted by airmate

pendulum ocl-2: very warm, smooth and transparent... thumbsup

Is that being used on the tracks you put on MySpace ?

That sounds good !

[GearHunter]

Originally Posted by GYang

Drawmer 1968

I second that. Also, the new Portico 5043 is sweet.

[NathanEldred]

Chandler TG-1 and Vintech 609CA are both very colored, very high end pieces of gear.

[Greg Wells]

The Portico 5043 can be dual mono or linked stereo. I bought 3 of them.

[Renaud Charlier]

Hello Maneesh,

I'm in a band composing/producing in the same vein (www.airlock.be). We've been using the Neve 33609 as our main Mix buss compressor for many years - 2 albums & 2 soundtracks. This compressor is pure magic for adding the final varnish/presence/warmth to the mixes without being too coloured. Highly recommended - My other choice would be the Manley Vari-mu.

[Jason Poulin]

I like the OCL-2 combined with the RMS 755

It doesn't leave much of a mark on your mix but it sounds rich, and it's really fast.


Make sense?


here's an example http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=70536

Jason

[monobeat]

tfpro p-38
just as nice for half the price...that should be their slogan.

cheers, warner

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by nlc201

33609
Smart C2
Weiss (more $ though)
GML (even more $)
Dakings (They actually work remarkably well on the 2 bus sometimes)

The Cranesong STC-8 recommendation is seconded. Probably your best bet.

Smart C2 smooth and warm??

Huh? I love the C2 but smooth and warm it ain't (thank goodness).

A Manley Vari-Mu adds a nice color when you drive the inputs and works pretty well with that kind of music. I like the tape recommendation as well. If you need good conversion a Cranesong HEDD's tube/tape emulations are pretty good too.

I would get an outboard comp or two in addition to tape if you can swing it- it kind of is a debated topic around here but software compression won't do for you what outboard will, really.

[vernier]

I think it would be safe to describe the Drawmer-1968 as smooth and warm.

[Bat Head Sound]

Thermionic Culture Phoenix. If you don't hit it to hard, it would be magical.

[Jason Poulin]

I'd love to try some of these units!




Jason

[MDM]

Originally Posted by Greg Wells

The Portico 5043 can be dual mono or linked stereo. I bought 3 of them.

Greg - I saw your earlier enthusiastic posts about these new modules from Rupert Neve

They look kinda small to me and I associate that with ... well ... not so mindblowing ...

But you 're saying you get great results with these boxes ... I am very curious ...

Wanna say more about them?

[radicalron]

The Manley Variable Mu is the Smoothest of them all!
The Summit DCL-200 also does a nice job as a Mastering Limiter.
It has very Fast Attact times and has a true Tube Output Stage.
Finally the Drawmer 1968 Mercenery Edition has alot of color, - But it's a Good kind of Color!
Cranesong STC-8 is Smooth - but not very warm - IMO
The Empirical Fatso is a bit too agressive and colored for me, but the Distressors are still THE Tracking Compressors!

[Improv]

+1 vari-mu

[u b k]

Originally Posted by MDM

I want to be able to use the compressor on a mono-channel ( eq Mic )

and also, I want the comp. be able to compress a mix ..

Is that maybe just called STEREO-compressor ?

yep, a stereo comp has one set of controls for both channels, a dual mono has two sets of controls so each channel can be used completely independent of the other, or linked, in which case one set of controls usually becomes the master.

some units, like the aforementioned dakings, are actually sold as single mono comps that can be linked together to act as a stereo unit.


gregoire
del ubik

[heathen]

The pendulum line is very clean and reasonably warm, very smooth. Smart c2 is not very smooth and warm.

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by MDM

What's a smooth and warm sounding (dual-mono) compressor ?

I want to use it mainly for mastering my mixes, but also for tracking sometimes.

The type of music ---> world, electronic ( soft stuff, no hard dance ) .. I need a smooth sounding, warm module ... something that really adds to the sound in a pleasant and beautiful way. Not rock&roll or techno, but refined acoustic instruments & modern elctronic/world/crossover/ambient-lounge stuff...

I already own Sony Oxford Bundle, Metric Halo ULN2 and 2882 -- Just no good outboard Compressor/Limiter

I have a very similar Metric Halo set-up to you, I do similar sorts of music and I was looking for a similar compressor!

The Drawmer 1968 looked like the perfect answer for me on paper and now it's the perfect answer sitting in my rack! Smooth and warm - oh yes! I'd like to thank all the Gearslutz here who yelled out what a good value, great-sounding box this is - they were right!

I haven't tried half the expensive stuff that others here have but I think I can safely say that from the description you give the Drawmer wouldn't disappoint.

[GearHunter]

Hmmm, so true!

Smooth like a baby's bum! Maybe we should call the 1968 the "baby's bum" compressor!

Enjoy it mon frer!

[cap217]

Originally Posted by robot gigante

Smart C2 smooth and warm??

Huh? I love the C2 but smooth and warm it ain't (thank goodness).

A Manley Vari-Mu adds a nice color when you drive the inputs and works pretty well with that kind of music. I like the tape recommendation as well. If you need good conversion a Cranesong HEDD's tube/tape emulations are pretty good too.

I would get an outboard comp or two in addition to tape if you can swing it- it kind of is a debated topic around here but software compression won't do for you what outboard will, really.

I was just thinking the same thing when I read that post!!! C2 is NOT warm or really smooth! Know the gear before you post!

[MDM]

Thanks all of you so far

I like the options Drawmer and Rupert Neve Portico, because of the price - these seem to be low-cost high-end units.

Does anybody know the sonical and technical difference between the Drawmer 1968 and the Drawmer 1960 ?

And did anybody compare the Dramer units with the Rupert Neve Portico 5043?

Answers more than appreciated

Grace - MDM -