Vox Tracking Compressor

[ardy77]

I need a high-end compressor for my vox chain.

I outsource all of my mixing/mastering and even instrument tracking... but I do all of my vocals inhouse.

I need a compressor built for vocal tracking.

My current vocal chain:

Groove Tubes GT66 tube mic -> A-Designs Pacifica mic pre -> EMU 1820M -> SONAR 5 PE

mostly tracking reggae vocals with TONS of harmonies. Vocal style is chesty and raw like bob marley and lenny kravitz...

currently deciding between:

a) UA LA2A
b) UA LA3A
c) UA 1176
d) Distressor
e) RNC
f) no compression during tracking!

any input?

Thanks

[Syki]

Tube Tec CL1b

[ardy77]

the CL1B, but with different tubes though right?? (I thought I heard someone mention that)...

if so, what are the model numbers of the tubes I should get? and where can you get them? (and how muc hare they??)

thanks for the info

[Syki]

When I was using mine for tracking ...I had the original Tubes and it sounded great! At the time I was tracking heavy R&B Vocals ...stacking many layers with tha piece...lol
If you do a search I'm sure you could find the tubes they were replacing the originals with.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by ardy77

the CL1B, but with different tubes though right?? (I thought I heard someone mention that)...

if so, what are the model numbers of the tubes I should get? and where can you get them? (and how muc hare they??)

thanks for the info

different tubes? the thing already costs $2500

[brownmouse]

I usually use a Pendulum Quartet or ES-8 for tracking vocals, unless, of course I'm using something else...

[Jay Kahrs]

Outta that list, any of the UA stuff would be solid. Can't go too wrong with an 1176 stylee thing...

I've used a Summit DCL-200 quite a bit in past...

Atomic Squeezebox is MAD kool too...

Old Altec compressors...

Tube Tech CL-1b is another killer...Manley EL-OP...I'd take one of those over a Vari-Mu any day! The Daking FET compressors have been pretty gnarly the few times I've used 'em...the Chandler 2254-style thing is pretty bitchin' too!

LOTS of choices out there!

[jchadstopherhuez]

i dont think you can go wrong with a la2 or la3 or 1176..

i have a manley elop as well......i freegin love it !!! it holds a vocal right in place..and it can add a bit of grit as well if you hit the tubes hard...it just works for me...


distressor is a pretty safe bet...and versatile..

i am sure the tube tech would be nice as well...

check out the manley elop if you can....pretty affordable...2ch for less than 2 grand..

i use it on EVERY single mix !!! and for tracking 95% of my vocals..

peace..

jchristopherhughes

[Poplab Studios]

Purple Audio MC77

[not_so_new]

People don't seem to mention the Trakkers much on these types of threads. The folks who have tried them seem to really dig them... Why not a whole lot of Trakker love I ask, why not a whole lot of Trakker love?



I just got one the two days ago, I have not tried it yet so we will see I guess. Looks nice and all of Crane Songs gear is good so I am sure I will be happy... at least I hope....

[raal]

for inconspicous compression the popular ones are trakker, stc-8, gml 8900 and atomic squeezebox that i can think of. i use as little control as possible to avoid overs, at a nice recording level. no comp is cheaper, but you have to be much more careful. if you're layering a bunch of vocals and want to move fast, as invisible a compressor as possible would be what i'd suggest. you can always not use it. i have an 8900 and love it. the 8900 can also give you attitude up the kazoo if that's what you want.

if you know the other ones (1176, LA3, LA2, etc.) take your pick, but it'll only do that one thing. distressors are also good all-arounders, but for super transparent, imo it's the ones above.

[Fletcher]

My current favorite vocal compressor it the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix"... as always, YMMV.

[raal]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

My current favorite vocal compressor it the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix"... as always, YMMV.

good thing there's no mercenary in mexico... i'd be very broke.

[kingneeraj]

i usually always end up with either the 1176 or LA2A...

am a BIG fan of GML 8900 too though

[edvdr76]

I'd get a Summit DCL 200 or an LA2A.

[mixerguy]

I like to (carefully) record vocals thru one of my beloved Distressors....

[84K]

MC77 + Atomic Squeezebox =

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

People don't seem to mention the Trakkers much on these types of threads. The folks who have tried them seem to really dig them... Why not a whole lot of Trakker love I ask, why not a whole lot of Trakker love?



I just got one the two days ago, I have not tried it yet so we will see I guess. Looks nice and all of Crane Songs gear is good so I am sure I will be happy... at least I hope....

I used one for VO and vocals and freaking loved the thing. Enough that I bought one for my main vocal compressor.

I'm going to second the MC77, and add the 1968 Mercenary (which I loved in testing an plan on getting the next time I'm in the MA area and get to stop in the Merc store... late April I think), and the Phoenix.

I you want more color... go for the Distressor (don't use them all the time, but when needed they kick a$$)

[Thumper]

La2a

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by Thumper

La2a

only if it is a soft-ish part

a rocker or belter will make the LA2A pump....

in my experience.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

My current favorite vocal compressor it the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix"... as always, YMMV.

Fletcher, didn't you also recently post that the Earlybird 2 was your favorite desert island preamp right now? (You mentioned that you preferred the original EQ points on the Earlybird 2 as compared to the 2.2; that you thought they had the points right in the first place and didn't need to modify the design)....

If so, then I have really got to start checking out the Thermionic gear soon.... sounds awesome!


J.D.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

People don't seem to mention the Trakkers much on these types of threads. The folks who have tried them seem to really dig them... Why not a whole lot of Trakker love I ask, why not a whole lot of Trakker love?



I just got one the two days ago, I have not tried it yet so we will see I guess. Looks nice and all of Crane Songs gear is good so I am sure I will be happy... at least I hope....

I would really love to hear your feedback about the TRAKKER... I don't know why it doesn't get the love that other compressors get around here... I know Bob Katz mentioned using a pair for the 2buss occasionally... but anyway, I figure David Hill is a genius and ALL his gear must be good...

So please do post back with your love (or lack of love) for your new TRAKKER and congrats on the purchase!!

J.D.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by mixerguy

only if it is a soft-ish part

a rocker or belter will make the LA2A pump....

in my experience.

Turn down the Gain Reduction. It's the knob on the right.

But, you're right. If you want really squashed vocals, the La2a might not be for you.

[AB3]

The Therm Phoenix seems like more for the money compared to the Tube Tech CL1B. Does the Tube Tech have anything on the Therm. Phoenix? Is it more colored than the Therm. Phoenix. I wish I could hear a comparison.

Originally Posted by Fletcher

My current favorite vocal compressor it the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix"... as always, YMMV.

[FatStudio]

I personally track vocals using a LA-2A(old) all the time ,It sounds nice and big and doesn't kill the track even if the singer goes crazy in the middle of the take.

I also use the Trakker ,when i need an extremely clean track with some control.This is one of the best compressors i have heard.

I would definitely get a Trakker over all the new UA stuff.(I have herd all the compressors they mack and the only one that is OK is the 1176,the la-2a is not so good).

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

I would really love to hear your feedback about the TRAKKER... I don't know why it doesn't get the love that other compressors get around here... I know Bob Katz mentioned using a pair for the 2buss occasionally... but anyway, I figure David Hill is a genius and ALL his gear must be good...

So please do post back with your love (or lack of love) for your new TRAKKER and congrats on the purchase!!

J.D.

Will do... it is going to be a little bit here because I have run out of space on my patchbay.... I guess that is a good and bad thing right?

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by FatStudio

I also use the Trakker ,when i need an extremely clean track with some control.This is one of the best compressors i have heard.

Even when you adjust it to get some color out of it you get a great sound. That's why I like it so much... incredibly versitile.

[Ollie]

The first four on your list would be fine. If you have any API modules then the 525 would work as well in a lunchbox.

Originally Posted by ardy77

I need a high-end compressor for my vox chain.

a) UA LA2A
b) UA LA3A
c) UA 1176
d) Distressor
e) RNC
f) no compression during tracking!

any input?

Thanks

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Yoda117

next time I'm in the MA area and get to stop in the Merc store... late April I think

Give us a call ahead of time and let us know what kinda beer you drink... you'll be here for a while so you might as well be comfy.

Originally Posted by jdjustice

Fletcher, didn't you also recently post that the Earlybird 2 was your favorite desert island preamp right now? (You mentioned that you preferred the original EQ points on the Earlybird 2 as compared to the 2.2; that you thought they had the points right in the first place and didn't need to modify the design)....

My favorite desert island kinda tool would be a sat. phone so I could get off the fvcking island... unless I was shipwrecked on a desert island that happened to have a 5 star hotel with 24 hour room service, hookers and hash in which case I could see where a nice distraction like a mic-pre or two could come in handy.

As for the EQ points... yeah. I don't want options. I like that there are 3 knobs to turn until things sound exactly how I'd like them to sound [then I back off a number because to me, most of the time... "just right" ends up being "too much" the next day... in my world, nothing exceeds like excess!!]

Originally Posted by AB3

The Therm Phoenix seems like more for the money compared to the Tube Tech CL1B. Does the Tube Tech have anything on the Therm. Phoenix? Is it more colored than the Therm. Phoenix. I wish I could hear a comparison.

A different color to be sure... better or not better would be in the ears of the beholder.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

My favorite desert island kinda tool would be a sat. phone so I could get off the fvcking island... unless I was shipwrecked on a desert island that happened to have a 5 star hotel with 24 hour room service, hookers and hash in which case I could see where a nice distraction like a mic-pre or two could come in handy.

this made me LOL!

thanks for the smile, Fletcher!