What should be my second mastering compressor purchace, opinions?

[Jaffa Gate]

I am shopping for my second stereo compressor for my mastering setup, i currently have a Pendulum OCL-2 and am looking for something with more colour and grit or charm(I master lots of different stuff, Hiphop to Rock).
I was interested in maybe the following

Chandler LTD-2 pair(do they have to have the Sterling Mastering mods)
API 2500
Chandler Germanium pair(wondering if any has used these for mastering)
Or any other ideas to compliment my Pendulum OCL-2

Please input would help

Thanks
Jaffa

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Jaffa Gate

I am shopping for my second stereo compressor for my mastering setup, i currently have a Pendulum OCL-2 and am looking for something with more colour and grit or charm(I master lots of different stuff, Hiphop to Rock).
I was interested in maybe the following

Chandler LTD-2 pair(do they have to have the Sterling Mastering mods)
API 2500
Chandler Germanium pair(wondering if any has used these for mastering)
Or any other ideas to compliment my Pendulum OCL-2

Please input would help

Thanks
Jaffa

The OCL-2 is a great, sweet compressor for gentle to "mid-aggressive" work. It sounds to me like you need a compressor as well that can also serve as a "punchy" and possibly "aggressive" alternative. Prior to my recent purchase of the API 2500 I would have recommended the Cranesong Trakkers. But now, the API 2500 suits the bill. It also can be VERY gentle as it wants, the 2500 is a VERY versatile compressor.

BK

[Cellotron]

Out of your list I would pick the API2500 as to my ear the most versatile out of all these (while having the plus of also being the most affordable). I have both the API2500 and the OCL-2, and find for most tracks I get I usually use the API. One great feature for me is it's "thrust" control which allows you to tune the sidechain to either trigger off slightly more from either the highs, mids or lows.

There's of course tons of other compressors out there to consider such as:
Crane Song STC-8
Elysia Alpha
Maselec MLA-2
Vintage Design CL1mk2
DW Fearn VT7
Gyraf
Thermionic Culture Phoenix
Manley VariMu
GML 8900
Vertigo VSC-2
Gyraf X
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor

etc.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[PrinsJan]

I would pick the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix", worked with a lot of compressors, but the Phoenix adds, and I hate the word, "magic" to the files.

It can be very very Warm and Big and if you treat it gentle it can be transparent.

[diamondjim]

Probably the right time for me to step in here and hijack a bit. I am also looking for a stereo bus compressor.

Music styles: Acoustic mostly, strings, guitar, fiddle, etc. and some electronic. Very little rock so far, some country, bluegrass, blues, Celtic, etc.

I mostly mix and master demos for myself and some clients, and have had some good luck with ITB plugs (UAD).

I have started building an OTB summing chain consisting so far of an API A2D and A-Designs Hammer EQ. I am looking for a not-agressive sounding compressor for those situations where the mix can use some slight, pleasing compression to bring it all together.

I have considered the API 2500 also, but for reasons of price have been looking at the Drawmer 1968ME, Roll Music Stereo Bus Compressor, the new Safe Sound Dynamics Toolbox, and of course there is the new Chameleon Labs 7720 that few have had a chance to hear yet, but will be priced around $600!

I would like to keep it under $2000 if possible, but I also want something I will want to keep for a long time.

Bob K., would you consider the API for this type of music as well?

Cellotron, any thoughts?

I appreciate any advice you pros have to offer. BTW this is one of my favorite forums on GS, great, informative stuff most of the time!

Thanks,
diamondjim

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by diamondjim

Probably the right time for me to step in here and hijack a bit. I am also looking for a stereo bus compressor.

Bob K., would you consider the API for this type of music as well?

Cellotron, any thoughts?

Absolutely. The 2500 is EXTREMELY versatile. In the OLD mode you can get a kind of an LA-2 sound, in the new mode you can rock the house if the mix is good.

An OCL-2 is also very good for the type of music and approach you mention.

BK

[diamondjim]

Originally Posted by bob katz

Absolutely. The 2500 is EXTREMELY versatile. In the OLD mode you can get a kind of an LA-2 sound, in the new mode you can rock the house if the mix is good.

An OCL-2 is also very good for the type of music and approach you mention.

BK

Thanks for the reply, Bob. Love your new book (even more so than the 1st ed.)!

I think the best approach will be to audition as many of these as I can and decide for myself! What a concept...

[lucey]

They're hard to find but the Shadow Hills is something I'd want to hear.

[Jaffa Gate]

After hearing that so many great ME's use the API 2500 for punch and bottom makes me think that for the price this might be the one,
Hearing Bob Katz and others praise its versatility make me think it would work well for my Grindcore and Black Metal work something my OCL-2 might not be the best tool,

The controls are so small, though, I am now on a mission too hear it.

Thanks

Jaffa

[scraggs]

Originally Posted by diamondjim

I have considered the API 2500 also, but for reasons of price have been looking at the Drawmer 1968ME, Roll Music Stereo Bus Compressor, the new Safe Sound Dynamics Toolbox, and of course there is the new Chameleon Labs 7720

i have the drawmer 1969 and it is a very nice compressor. and just a nice sounding box in general. i'm really curious about the API though...

[Tube World]

Bob, your book is great! I assume you feel the plug in compressors are still not up to par with the hardware? I know there are some newer API plug ins out there that many seem to like. How close our the plug ins to the real thing these days?

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by diamondjim

I have considered the API 2500 also, but for reasons of price have been looking at the Drawmer 1968ME, Roll Music Stereo Bus Compressor, the new Safe Sound Dynamics Toolbox

The Safe Sound DT definitely seems the most interesting out of all these you list as afaik it's based on the THAT VCA which seems to have gotten kudos when it was implemented in some other designs (i.e. Picocompressor), and it has extensive side chain tuning capabilities right on board (which potentially give it a lot more versatility in mastering).

and of course there is the new Chameleon Labs 7720 that few have had a chance to hear yet, but will be priced around $600!

At that "too good to be true" price point for an SSL clone I'd be concerned that they would have to cut corners in the components and build in order to make a profit. In other words I'd imagine this one would be great for track work, but probably wouldn't be as clean as I would want for mastering.

I would like to keep it under $2000 if possible, but I also want something I will want to keep for a long time.

Definitely something to consider. I've wasted a good bit of money in the past by trying to cut corners with gear purchases only to end up selling off mediocre stuff at a loss. In the end I think I would have been better off spending more for less units that do their jobs better. ymmv.

Music styles: Acoustic mostly, strings, guitar, fiddle, etc. and some electronic. Very little rock so far, some country, bluegrass, blues, Celtic, etc.
would you consider the API for this type of music as well?

Cellotron, any thoughts?

fwiw - I tend to use the OCL-2 a little more for these genres than my API2500. I find the API2500 generally excels on rock and hip-hop. Again - these are generalities and sometimes I'll find for some mixes what piece of gear works best can be opposite of what is presumed.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[pootkao]

Just wanted to chime in and say I appreciate the opinions offered thus far. I'm in a similar situation... while I by no means market myself as a mastering engineer (have neither the conversion nor the monitors nor the experience), I still seem to end up getting a decent handful of indie bands needing mastering done cheap for local releases.

I'm about to step in and buy a new compressor as well... the API 2500 has always been at the forefront of the list, but I'm still poking around at the Rolls or Drawmer, if just because of price.

[diamondjim]

Originally Posted by pootkao

I'm about to step in and buy a new compressor as well... the API 2500 has always been at the forefront of the list, but I'm still poking around at the Rolls or Drawmer, if just because of price.

FYI: I just ordered the Roll Music Stereo Comp as it came down to 1) ease of use 2) wanted something for the mix bus primarily, as I don't use compression much if at all during tracking, and have a Meek Twin Q and Safe Sound P1 pre/comp for that purpose when needed 3) something that has high recommendations for clean, transparent compression. This one fits the bill and is my price range.

Thanks for everyone's help. Until the next time....

[flex nes]

Originally Posted by Tube World

Bob, your book is great! I assume you feel the plug in compressors are still not up to par with the hardware? I know there are some newer API plug ins out there that many seem to like. How close our the plug ins to the real thing these days?

I would very much like Bobs opinion in this to !!

[PrinsJan]

Originally Posted by bob katz

Absolutely. The 2500 is EXTREMELY versatile. In the OLD mode you can get a kind of an LA-2 sound, in the new mode you can rock the house if the mix is good.

An OCL-2 is also very good for the type of music and approach you mention.

BK

Is the API 2500 linked ? Or can u use it as dual mono ?

[PrinsJan]

Originally Posted by flex nes

I would very much like Bobs opinion in this to !!

I'm not Bob Katz, but I can tell u plug-ins won't give you that full 100 % API sound. Big part of that sound are their transformers collide with high end circuit, you get a big and rich sound.

Listen to the software/hardware 2500 sound file comparisons in this forum.

[Strobian]

Originally Posted by PrinsJan

Is the API 2500 linked ? Or can u use it as dual mono ?

Not dual mono, but you can run two seperate mono signals thru it, but you will only have one compression setting that would be applied to both inputs.

[philosi]

The Smart C2 sounds great. And the ability to run it in separate mode as we know, can really widen things up... in a good way.

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by PrinsJan

I would pick the Thermionic Culture "Phoenix", worked with a lot of compressors, but the Phoenix adds, and I hate the word, "magic" to the files.

It can be very very Warm and Big and if you treat it gentle it can be transparent.

The Phoenix and the Pendulum would make a nice combination.

[James Meeker]

I'd suggest looking at:

Cranesong STC-8
API 2500
Alan Smart C2