Alan Smart C2 worth it? vs API 2500

[theveiv]

No one ?

[Doc Mixwell]

For whatever it may be worth, I am pretty sure this forum is littered with opinion of these two units. Better is subjective to your opinion. Gotta get em all in house and beat on them for a few projects. Unless you get down to the nitty and gritty of these compressors topology, features, and special abilities. A lot of info to dissect and compute.

I'm wondering why your not getting the "glue" with those BAE 10DC's? I find their sound/tone and action very musical for that last little bit of global cohesion, and smooth treble response. A nice even order harmonic thickness, but alas, it just might not be the vibe your going for.

The Smart Box is wonderfully clear and open. Much more Modern and Crisply Detailed. Cleaner in the Audio path and the compressor cell is pretty "reactive" and can be finely tuned and shaped. To much greater lengths than other's of its "ilk". The C2 will perform a number of different actions depending on how you set it up. I would say its a snappier compressor, and pretty much out of the way color wise. I like it as a "clean/snappy-sprite" kind of box, I think it is great for bringing up low level detail, and controlling/blending the peaks without showing off a change in frequency response.

The 2500? Has more color/thickness, and tone in the audio path. Lots of Different Tonal Variety with the Compressor. It is more weighted/dense and punchy sounding, with respect to the amplifiers. Things are moving forward at you. Overall LOTS of Variance with this animal. It will do a bazzilion tricks and dances, depending on what your going for and how your mix is working it. All help you finish a mix to perfection. I think in FB mode it loses some highs, and gets thick, and in FF mode it can be tighter and focused, less subdued highs and more agressive grab.

If the word of the day is "polish", dem BAE's win out for me

peace

[theveiv]

Thanks for the detailed response Doc, I appreciate it!

To be honest, I do believe the BAE are amazing on the 2 buss, although I have not personally played with the compressor yet. Let me explain. Im currently upgrading my studio so im ordering a couple of pieces of outboard for tracking and mixing. Ive been reading and listening to a lot of samples since I'm not too close to any music shops to hear the gear in person. I have currently ordered the BAE 1073 mp stereo pre for tracking, the A Designs Hammer EQ for mixing, and the BAE 10DC stereo pair for mixing as well. I guess I'm looking for more compression with different color to add to the 10Dc and I've heard a lot about the c2 and api 2500 being amazing on the 2 buss.

I don't doubt the 10DCs will be great, but having an option in compression is always great as well.

[Flymax]

Get both and demo them. They are both great and very different sounding. I own both and currently am using the c2 on drums and the 2500 on the mix.

[Timesaver800W]

Pick one, roll with it. It's all goood.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by theveiv

Thanks for the detailed response Doc, I appreciate it!

To be honest, I do believe the BAE are amazing on the 2 buss, although I have not personally played with the compressor yet. Let me explain. Im currently upgrading my studio so im ordering a couple of pieces of outboard for tracking and mixing. Ive been reading and listening to a lot of samples since I'm not too close to any music shops to hear the gear in person. I have currently ordered the BAE 1073 mp stereo pre for tracking, the A Designs Hammer EQ for mixing, and the BAE 10DC stereo pair for mixing as well. I guess I'm looking for more compression with different color to add to the 10Dc and I've heard a lot about the c2 and api 2500 being amazing on the 2 buss.

I don't doubt the 10DCs will be great, but having an option in compression is always great as well.

No problemo!
So, you have yet to plug in those BAE's you bought!? Did I read that right?

I would surly give em a solid chance to kick ass (which they will) before "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" -- they sound sick with the 1073MP. that's a bunch of transformer love on your signal path

But Sure!

Plenty of great options out there.

These days -- Compressor Land is highly fertile!!!

[theveiv]

The gear should arrive any minute via UPS. I can't wait! I'll finally be going with the Alan Smart C2! I'll probably end up getting the API 2500 as well in the near future, but first, I must get my hands on some Lynx Hilo conversion!!!