EQ or compression in analogue if have to choose one

[Swell]

Hello everyone,

I'm budgeting my new mastering structure and I come to a fact. I won't be able to aford, at the begining, both compression and Eq in analogue domain.

I do own a lot of good plugins (Renaissance comp, SSL, Waves'Linear Phase,Mcdsp etc...) So if I get to buy only a Varimu from Manley or let's say only the Massive Passsive from Manley aswell, what would you guys choose to complete my digital treatment wih analogue sound, the EQ or the compression ???

Thanks for your advises

S.Mellah

[cichy]

EQ or ...
comp ..
or EQ ...

or ... hard choice


but I think it could be analog tube EQ (amtec or fearn)

[audiovisceral]

it would definitely be the analog compressor imo. dynamics gotta breathe.

[cichy]

"choose to complete my digital treatment wiht analogue sound"

for me its sounds like - color over dynamics

[macc]

Naturally I am hugely biased, know nothing about what you do, and am simply throwing it out there, but you couldn't go wrong getting a Gyratec G14 thumbsup

And conversion too. Very important.

[yareck]

If you want color that plugins don't have, eq like Gyraf is probably very good investment. Or even Massive Passive, however I'm not a big fan of MP in mastering chain.

If you want dynamics that plugins don't have. Go for compressor, but remember - different compressors and eq's are suitable for different genres.

The same is with equalizers.

If you do acoustic, natural things, vari-mu can make a difference but it's subtle in overal. Plus you need good converter which is very important..... and also expensive.

[turtlerock]

i think you want an eq first up... it will get the most use and make the biggest difference

most digital limiters are kinda better the most analog limiters
but you know you are going to end up seeking out and buying up the expensive analog exceptions to the rule ... right ..?


wife: " how many analog boxes do you actually have ..?"
husband : "err nine ...?"
wife : "yeah but how many do you actually need ..?"
husband: " err ten..?"

[t_d]

i was in the same boat... i had purchased my HEDD and was looking for a bit of a "magic box".. to be my first OTB serious analog piece..

i went with a Vari-Mu.. it was like a dream come true.. until i found out that it was NOT a magic box... very very subtle...

as i added pieces to my analog chain i realized nothing was a magic box.. and that they were all quite subtle... i even did a lot of testing and comparing my analog EQs (API5500, Hammer) with my best plug ins (UAD).. and sometimes the plug ins would win..

however.. i realized that once my analog chain was "complete" (it'll never be complete!) that it is the sum of the parts that makes a big difference over ITB...

so, don't expect to be blown away by one piece of nice outboard gear on your mix (remember to get good convertors)... but, hang in there, because as you add more the benefits will become more noticable.

given that... the EQs for me added more "wow" factor in terms of vibe and color.. so, you may want to go with an EQ as your first piece (remember to get good convertors)

[Swell]

Thank you all for your opinions,

Well I think I'll go for the eq. I have check the Gyraf website Macc, it looks good and semms to sound good aswell. Definitely I'll for the Manley or the Gyraf. I've seen by the way they have been compared and tested in a previous thread.

Just a note for Taylor: your photogrphs are great. I truly love them. Espacially the Architecture ones.

Swell

[macc]

Originally Posted by t_d

as i added pieces to my analog chain i realized nothing was a magic box.. and that they were all quite subtle... i even did a lot of testing and comparing my analog EQs (API5500, Hammer) with my best plug ins (UAD).. and sometimes the plug ins would win..

however.. i realized that once my analog chain was "complete" (it'll never be complete!) that it is the sum of the parts that makes a big difference over ITB...

so, don't expect to be blown away by one piece of nice outboard gear on your mix (remember to get good convertors)... but, hang in there, because as you add more the benefits will become more noticable.

This is a great point. I'm adding to my chain piece by piece, and it does add up to some magic... Since I got the g14, I have had 2 tunes that didn't instantly sound better with everything flat, at unity gain. And it's been my busiest month so far.

FWIW I did a (very excited, almost childish!) review of my G14 when i got it recently, you should maybe have a look. That thread isn't far from here, I am sure...

[yareck]

Originally Posted by t_d

i was in the same boat... i had purchased my HEDD and was looking for a bit of a "magic box".. to be my first OTB serious analog piece..

i went with a Vari-Mu.. it was like a dream come true.. until i found out that it was NOT a magic box... very very subtle...

as i added pieces to my analog chain i realized nothing was a magic box.. and that they were all quite subtle... i even did a lot of testing and comparing my analog EQs (API5500, Hammer) with my best plug ins (UAD).. and sometimes the plug ins would win..

however.. i realized that once my analog chain was "complete" (it'll never be complete!) that it is the sum of the parts that makes a big difference over ITB...

so, don't expect to be blown away by one piece of nice outboard gear on your mix (remember to get good convertors)... but, hang in there, because as you add more the benefits will become more noticable.

given that... the EQs for me added more "wow" factor in terms of vibe and color.. so, you may want to go with an EQ as your first piece (remember to get good convertors)

it's good I've felt like I heard my own story thumbsup

[Ackman]

Originally Posted by t_d

i was in the same boat... i had purchased my HEDD and was looking for a bit of a "magic box".. to be my first OTB serious analog piece..

i went with a Vari-Mu.. it was like a dream come true.. until i found out that it was NOT a magic box... very very subtle...

as i added pieces to my analog chain i realized nothing was a magic box.. and that they were all quite subtle... i even did a lot of testing and comparing my analog EQs (API5500, Hammer) with my best plug ins (UAD).. and sometimes the plug ins would win..

however.. i realized that once my analog chain was "complete" (it'll never be complete!) that it is the sum of the parts that makes a big difference over ITB...

so, don't expect to be blown away by one piece of nice outboard gear on your mix (remember to get good convertors)... but, hang in there, because as you add more the benefits will become more noticable.



given that... the EQs for me added more "wow" factor in terms of vibe and color.. so, you may want to go with an EQ as your first piece (remember to get good convertors)

Here, here...my experience exactly

[Alécio Costa]

First I got the OCL2, then the Ibis EQ and later, the Hedd 192.
Combine that with PSP, TC and rarely, Mc DSP Plugins.
Now I have an eye at a second eq, probably NSEQ2 or at a second comp, the STC8.

[James Meeker]

I'd go for compressors myself.

[macc]

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

First I got the OCL2, then the Ibis EQ and later, the Hedd 192.
Combine that with PSP, TC and rarely, Mc DSP Plugins.
Now I have an eye at a second eq, probably NSEQ2 or at a second comp, the STC8.

Someone call a doctor bfore it's too late... I spy the early signs of gearsluttism!

Nurse! Bring my needle. The big one...

[kjg]

Originally Posted by James Meeker

I'd go for compressors myself.

+1

I'd would also get a versatile compressor as my first analog piece. And a HEDD probably for the conversion.

[t_d]

thanks swell, i appreciate that. thanks for looking!

Originally Posted by Swell

Thank you all for your opinions,


Just a note for Taylor: your photogrphs are great. I truly love them. Espacially the Architecture ones.

Swell

[mdjice]

Compressor!! I found some great sounding EQ plug but it's way harder to get good results with a Comp Plug

[ONDRAY]

EQ - I find these will add more wow factor then a single compressor, plus you want to most likely do your final limiting (if any) ITB. I'm in the same boat and will be shopping for a pair of API 550m's soon.

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by mdjice

Compressor!! I found some great sounding EQ plug but it's way harder to get good results with a Comp Plug

Agreed. Next to a great tube compressor plug ins sound like wax paper.

Also would add great conversion.

TW

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by mdjice

Compressor!! I found some great sounding EQ plug but it's way harder to get good results with a Comp Plug

+1
.

[yeloocproducer]

plus 2

[lucey]

A nice tonal mastering eq? the Fairman TMEQ. Works great with a digital secondary, for all styles.

[yareck]

Originally Posted by ONDRAY

EQ - I find these will add more wow factor then a single compressor

In general, that's my opinion too.

Originally Posted by lucey

A nice tonal mastering eq? the Fairman TMEQ.

mmmmmmm
I hope this will be one of my purchases next year
or VT-5

not decided yet which one...

[Online-Mastering]

Compressor!! I found some great sounding EQ plug but it's way harder to get good results with a Comp Plug

+1. I think, there are already nice digital eqs that cover all kinds of different sonic tasks, but only very average digital compression tools, which often take all the 'life' out of a track and tend to sound very flat, already with just a a little gain reduction.

So my choice would be a good analog comp to start with.

Arne

[James Meeker]

If you only have to get one piece of gear maybe a good analog mixdown deck. That might get you some business.

[Ben F]

I could live with one EQ and a 1/2" tape machine.

[Reptil]

compressor
never heard a plug do what is possible with a good outboard comp/expander.
eq is also different but not that much.

[jayfrigo]

Same as others here - digital EQ can work (you need a good one though, something like Algorithmix preferably), but a good plug-in compressor is rare as hen's teeth.

[yareck]

Originally Posted by jayfrigo

but a good plug-in compressor is rare as hen's teeth.

I've also thought so.... and agreed in general.

But guys, try this
The Rocket | Stillwell Audio - It's About The Sound

at least let's have some magic out of software compressor