31st July 2012
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#1 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
Thread Starter | I need a good tube bus comp!! Input please!!
Hey guys, I think I want to get a good tube bus comp. I would like to stay under $5k. I want to get something that is really great all around. Kinda like how a SSL G comp works on almost everything, but I want tube.. I have a pair of original 2254's with the stereo link but they are just not really my taste. I actually listed them for trade for a tube bus comp on here because there is no point in keeping such an expensive item that I do not use that much at all.. I like the big/warm/full/colorful stuff.
What do you guys think? OWA u33? Maybe a TC Phoenix? I don't know... I would like to get me a Fairman.. But.. They are just too high.
Thanks!!
Alex
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31st July 2012
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#2 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,908
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Phoenix are great, though if you have problems it's a wait for tech attention.the adl Fairchild copies are good, and don't anamod make one too?!
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31st July 2012
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#3 | | Moderator
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: in a low orbit
Posts: 21,334
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I think you'll find a LOt of information and opinions when you do a search.. 
I chose a Pendulum ES-8 btw. But would've considered other options (Knif for example) if those would've been available.
The ES-8 has been great. Clean, musical sounding and capable as a limiter.
__________________ "You must have Chaos within you, to give Birth to a dancing Star" Friedrich Nietsche
For SALE: ATC SCM7 bookshelve passive monitors, Bryston 3B Power Amplifier, Emagic ATM8 & Unitor 8 midi interfaces (16 i/o through USB)  | |
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31st July 2012
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#4 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 369
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isnt there a 670 like compressor in the make over at undertone audio - thats said to be not too expensive.
honestly, 670 variants are such cool things to have around.
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31st July 2012
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#5 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Rectum of a dead skunk
Posts: 378
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Breaux  I have a pair of original 2254's with the stereo link but they are just not really my taste... I like the big/warm/full/colorful stuff. | Funny... big/warm/full/colorful is exactly how I would describe my 2254As!  | |
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31st July 2012
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#6 | | Gear nut
Joined: Feb 2011 Location: los angeles
Posts: 113
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D.W. Fearn VT-7 comes to mind in that price range.
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31st July 2012
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 580
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Don't overlook the Manley VariMu. It is the glue too like an SSL but only with tubes (and a lot more versatile too).
The ADL 1500 is probably among (if not the most) the most tubey sounding compressors out there. It doesn't cost the earth either. I like it a lot.
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31st July 2012
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#8 | | Gear Head
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 59
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The TC Phoenix is amazing, I use it on all my masters. Very big sound with lovely bottom end and great highs. It really seems to bring mixes to life and capable of very transparent compression when required.
I can't recommend it highly enough.
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31st July 2012
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#9 | | www.circlestudios.co.uk
Joined: May 2007 Location: UK
Posts: 2,938
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Big warm and colourful says Zener to me but... I don't find that (or any of my tube compressors) are great all rounders. Fwiw the vibe and use you are describing to me sounds like something along the lines of a dramatic obsidian followed by a massive passive.  | |
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31st July 2012
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#10 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posts: 2,432
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The Requisite audio L2M would be another great contender.
I've been wanting to get one of these in to try... I think in the fall... Tube Equipment Corporation | |
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31st July 2012
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#11 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,908
| Quote:
Originally Posted by J_Flux The TC Phoenix is amazing, I use it on all my masters. Very big sound with lovely bottom end and great highs. It really seems to bring mixes to life and capable of very transparent compression when required.
I can't recommend it highly enough. | Only thing with tc stuff is reliability issues - esp if you travel with it.
I know a lot of people with tc gear, and no-one who hasnt had an issue at one point or another. Which is a shame.
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31st July 2012
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#12 | | 70% Coffee, 30% Beer
Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Quincy, MA
Posts: 9,129
| Quote:
Originally Posted by catfishmusic D.W. Fearn VT-7 comes to mind in that price range. | I do really love the VT7, it has a really rich tone and polish. But it is a Solid State-Tube "hybrid" Stereo compressor, which is a highly important distinction to make, when comparing it to compressors that use Tube Topology in the Gain Reduction Element. It uses a Solid-State "PWM" [Pulse width modulation] circuit for the Gain Reduction Element, that is surrounded by Doug's Tube Amps. It has a modern, clean smoothing quality to the gain reduction, but an "Old-Skool" tone as far as tube amps go.
__________________ Adam Brass adam@dspdoctor.com  DSPdoctor.com "Where High End is Still King" 
__________________ "Any opinions above are worth exactly what you paid for them." Anonymous "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison
RTFM
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31st July 2012
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#13 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2008 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun
Posts: 3,139
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Smc-2b
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31st July 2012
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 657
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- Rohde & Schwarz U 23 (TYPE ABR - BN 1600/BN 1601) - Begrenzungsverstärker (1953-1954) with Vacuvox CL-2 Mod
- a pair of TAB U 73 b - Begrenzer-Verstärker m. Rücklaufzeitregelung
- a pair of DISA ELEKTRONIK A/S - 91N02 LIMITING AMPLIFIER
or simply take any FET or VCA comp and throw a pair of SIEMENS-ALBISWERK ZÜRICH AG Typ Albis 502/61a - Studioverstärker after them. that's what I do sometimes.
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1st August 2012
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#15 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by Emwolb Funny... big/warm/full/colorful is exactly how I would describe my 2254As! | Yeah, it seems that everyone has something different to say about 2254's. I am not a total fan, and I just don't see it being logical holding on to a $7,000 item that I don't use. : /
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1st August 2012
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#16 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Orange CA
Posts: 2,611
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I would get the TubeTech SMC2B. It gets overlooked a lot because it is a multiband compressor and that scares some people off, but don't be fooled. That thing sounds warm and sweet. Whatever you put through it comes back better. It is awesome on the 2buss!
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1st August 2012
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#17 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Lancaster, PA | Quote:
Originally Posted by Empire Prod I would get the TubeTech SMC2B. It gets overlooked a lot because it is a multiband compressor and that scares some people off, but don't be fooled. That thing sounds warm and sweet. Whatever you put through it comes back better. It is awesome on the 2buss! | Nice, not that I can afford it, but that was my thought. It's opto isn't it?
__________________
all the world's a gain stage | |
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1st August 2012
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#18 | | 500 series nutjob
Joined: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru SKANK! ; )
Posts: 11,287
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Just NAIL it! 
the A-Designs HM2 NAIL gets lot and lot of love here: )
A must try imho, dose some wicked voodoo magic for me.
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1st August 2012
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#19 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 262
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On my 2 buss, GML 8900, and QES Labs Variable-Gm, a tube unit.
I would definitely suggest you to check the variable gm.
It has a warm tone, still retaining it's transparency when asked to.
Very musical, it's 3D soundstage is superb.
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1st August 2012
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#20 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by 4blades On my 2 buss, GML 8900, and QES Labs Variable-Gm, a tube unit.
I would definitely suggest you to check the variable gm.
It has a warm tone, still retaining it's transparency when asked to.
Very musical, it's 3D soundstage is superb. | Sounds interesting. That thing looks really great and so does the price!
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1st August 2012
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#21 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Japan
Posts: 2,075
| Quote:
Originally Posted by pan60 Just NAIL it!
the A-Designs HM2 NAIL gets lot and lot of love here: )
A must try imho, dose some wicked voodoo magic for me. | Nail has hardly any color or mojo.
Great versatile comp, but not a character piece.
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1st August 2012
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#22 | | Gear nut
Joined: Feb 2011 Location: los angeles
Posts: 113
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 4blades On my 2 buss, GML 8900, and QES Labs Variable-Gm, a tube unit.
I would definitely suggest you to check the variable gm.
It has a warm tone, still retaining it's transparency when asked to.
Very musical, it's 3D soundstage is superb. | QES Labs stuff is killer. Really like their tube pre as well. I had checked out the website and didn't easily find any US dealers. Do they only sell direct? I could do more homework, but if anyone knows the scoop that'd be cool.
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1st August 2012
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#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 657
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a pair of Western Electric 110 doesnt hurt either  Vintage Audio | |
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1st August 2012
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#24 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il
Posts: 5,803
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The Drawmer '68/'69 are FET comps with a tube output stage that sounds very nice. I find that mixes sound more finished outside of the studio when I use my '69, so now I just plug it in and mix to it all the time.
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1st August 2012
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#25 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by nickelironsteel |
THOSE ARE THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! Well.. Other then a 610 console.. I would love to have those, but the price is just a little bit steep..
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2nd August 2012
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#26 | | 500 series nutjob
Joined: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru SKANK! ; )
Posts: 11,287
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Originally Posted by dbjp Nail has hardly any color or mojo.
Great versatile comp, but not a character piece. | Ditto, read my article, it is not a heavy color comp.
that is why i said voodoo instead of mojo: ) | |
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2nd August 2012
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#27 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2008 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun
Posts: 3,139
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott003 Nice, not that I can afford it, but that was my thought. It's opto isn't it? | Yep.
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2nd August 2012
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#28 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2003 Location: L.A.
Posts: 2,250
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You got me excited over your 2254s right now... could use 2 more!
I agree with most of what has been said in this thread. SMC2B I love cause when it works its pure magic. Usually it comes after my EAR660s which IMO are the definition of 3D tube hugeness but $$$. A pair of Retro 176s could also work but for buss duties I only like them on acoustic singer/songwriter stuff. Correction: I LOVE them on that type of acoustic material. VT7 has a really nice color and I love the compression side of it too. I don't know if it'd be something I'd use everywhere though... I love it on strings. The L2M actually as someone already mentioned is also a beast. It has a beautiful color pushing ever so slightly the upper mids but in a very warm way. I regret selling mine a few years ago.
I never cared for the TC Phoenix - didn't like the color at all. I also used a Pendulum 6386 a few years back and wasn't a big fan either...
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2nd August 2012
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#29 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,548
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Empire Prod I would get the TubeTech SMC2B. It gets overlooked a lot because it is a multiband compressor and that scares some people off, but don't be fooled. That thing sounds warm and sweet. Whatever you put through it comes back better. It is awesome on the 2buss! | Thank you. You posted what I was going to post. Therefore...
+1!!
I fully endorse your post. Tubetech products are insanely great.
__________________
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Free the electrons! Use tubes/valves when possible.
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2nd August 2012
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#30 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
Thread Starter |
How about a TSL-3 VacRack?? Anyone one a fan?
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