Maselec MLA-3 Multiband Mastering Compressor!

[NoEgo]

Originally Posted by Rod Malkin

Re the Pendulum, will give it a try if I can.... I tried the Pendulum pre recently, .... very nice tube warmth and vibe, but did not capture cleanly as much essential detail compared to the Sonic Farm and Forsell pre's. (The Gordon got too much detail, and I think would only be good in a very good room?) I'm thinking to get as much detail as possible at the pre level, and then smooth, tailor, enhance, etc. later... So perhaps that's where the Pendulum compressor could be good... Definitely, that is where the Maselec mla 2 excelled.

... and agree that the key elements are getting a good room, mic/source placement re sweetspot, good mic , pre ... then the compressor issue becomes very minor, low priority... But, in less ideal circumstances, and eg. when not doing solos, or when recording in a group live/gig or studio setting, in bad rooms, when you want to enhance, manipulate, repair the sound after... the Maselec might be useful... Currently, I am in a non ideal room that has been curtained off to remove a bad gyp rock echo etc., with a partial wood/carpeted floor.

I kind of like how the Maselec mla 2 was able to compress nicely the transients, and take off the harshness of the DPA mic while retaining the detail, somewhat like a larger diaphram mic recording in tems of the smoothness, but unlike the larger diaphram mic recoding in that there was no loss of detail... Perhaps the Maselec or Pendulum would be good in a parallel compression, ...

I understand ...I have to say I think any compression high end or low end will over emphasize a bad recording or tracking as in this case. I am a purist when it comes to acoustic instruments where others like to warm and toast and change the sound of the instrument, either way is common nowadays, maybe, but all the compression technique and all the high end compressors in the world will only grow the pain of a bad recorded sound on there own. The multiband compressor will do some things but only because it is acting as an EQ to "repair " your pick up of any source. I own the 3 band Maselec, but I honestly would not recommend a compressor of any kind in your situation as it will only enhance your issues you are having. Not make them go away. Not even will a multiband compressor address surgically where the problem lies, without taking down frequencies you don't know you are missing that could bring the instrument to light but instead are not getting through. I use the Forssell, BUzz Audio and Gordon on a regular basis for steel string acoustic, acoustic bass, and nylon and have great results in my small, however wooded room. I also put my funds into having the room sound acceptable for the purpose. First and foremost. In a live band scenario, off the floor with your mates, you want to separate each others bleed where it becomes problematic anyway. Give each other their own breathing room. You may know all this, and I don't mean to be on about it, but I don't believe compression in any way is the answer here. Eq is more the answer, but only when very necessary in a mix. May be a stupid suggestion in this case, but may have someone play the guitar and bring your ear around to find what you feel is the sweet spot, and get the best of all sound going in. Life gets much easier when we work up front to get the sound, rather than resorting to knob tweaking after the fact.
I am just being honest and of course my opinion only. I won't go on after this...I promise.

[PBM]

Originally Posted by Rod Malkin

Re the Pendulum, will give it a try if I can.... I tried the Pendulum pre recently, .... very nice tube warmth and vibe, but did not capture cleanly as much essential detail compared to the Sonic Farm and Forsell pre's. (The Gordon got too much detail, and I think would only be good in a very good room?) I'm thinking to get as much detail as possible at the pre level, and then smooth, tailor, enhance, etc. later... So perhaps that's where the Pendulum compressor could be good... Definitely, that is where the Maselec mla 2 excelled.

I kind of like how the Maselec mla 2 was able to compress nicely the transients, and take off the harshness of the DPA mic while retaining the detail, somewhat like a larger diaphram mic recording in tems of the smoothness, but unlike the larger diaphram mic recoding in that there was no loss of detail... Perhaps the Maselec or Pendulum would be good in a parallel compression, ...

I've had all three, and still have the Pendulum and the MLA-3 - and though I really liked the MLA2 I found that the other two together made it redundant.

I recently mastered a solo acoustic guitar (non classical) album - the title was Transience - maybe a pun as the music is quite percussive and relies heavily on transient attack. I just used the Soma EQ through the Pendulum - the OCL-2 doesn't give untoward warmth, and it doesn't mess with transients (unless you ask it to).

These are only mp3 versions, but the tracks `71210388', `Dust, You and Me' and `Sun Spirit' will give you some idea. Talented bugger too ...

www.davidyoungs.net - David Youngs, Cambridge-based Musician.

Cheers,
Eric

[zenmastering]

Hi Rod,

Good to see you here!

I also have the OCL2 / MLA3 combo. The MLA2 and 3 do not sound alike, in my experience, even using the MLA3 in 'linked' mode.

If you liked the MLA2 on your guitar, then you may have answered your question...

As Eric said, the OCL2 is great and it will only mess with your transients if you want it to. It does that really well (too well?) in 'Fast' mode ;->

To further muddy the waters, the Pendulum ES8 also sounds great on acousitc guitar ;->

Regards,

Graemme

[Rod Malkin]

Thanks for the great advice so far!!

(+ thanks again Graemme for all your previous help! …finally got an 8200 (just arrived still in the box) … so now EQ-overloaded -- Summit eqp 200b, isa 110 (for sale), GR 2nv, 5033 (for sale), STT, 737, 550b’s .)

Re all of this, I know I am putting the equipment cart before the horse, as don’t have a good room/good mic position etc. which renders all else practically unnecessary, not to mention I’m just learning the complex/mysterious art of tracking/mixing!!! Notwithstanding, portability and versatility are keys, as I may have to move soon (currently my downstairs is my studio), and also, a lot of my recording/pa is done on the road. Currently all my pre/eq/comp/mixer/converter hardware is in gator cases ready, in a few hours to be relocated where the action is. I am searching for good rooms. E.g. for solo guitar, the stair well in the Carnagie center here in Vancouver has an amazing acoustic, I just have to make arrangements to get there after hours… For group stuff, I have access to a Vertacic designed studio in Whiterock (Vancouver), or e.g. for group flamenco singing/dance recording/filming I rented the Rickshaw Theater for 4 days… (see draft clip Oscar Nieto Flamenco - YouTube (quick software mix) not sound edited yet , done with my sound/camera equip/friends etc.)

It sort of reminds me of a long time ago, I was a teenager skiing Grouse Mountain in jeans and rusty out-of-date skis. I saw this old guy dressed and accessorized like Downhill Racer, walk out of the chalet, God o’ the Slopes, put on his skis, Luxuriator sunglasses… then snow plow bent-over grandmother style down the bunny slope! … I was aghast! What an embarrassing waste of equipment I thought!!! Same with me now! in Sonic Splenderland, auditioning, listening, buying great gear before knowing how to use it properly, ….. Yet!! the key, ‘Yet’… What is to come? A big question mark …Will I be part of a team using my own gear for internet music recording/video projects to keep costs down, or, once I know ‘enough’ to be an effective producer/artist, sell everything and hire/team up with others’ gear/knowhow… Certainly, will never be doing any high end mastering or finishing… …will have you guys for that!

Anyway back to the MLA2-3, I guess I will have to listen to both… Have made an arrangement to audition an MLA3, and can compare it to a friend’s MLA 2 … the key is likely how it sounds, and secondarily what it can do. I’ll have to have check out the Pendulum too.

Very exciting…

[Rod Malkin]

... Finally, got a chance to compare an MLA3, MLA2, OCL2, and STC8 on my transient crazy flamenco guitar,... Not surprisingly, the MLA2 stood out over the OCL2 and STC8, as per my previous tests with other high-end compressors....... What was surprising, the MLA3 was nicer than the MLA2! I liked the sound better and could compress more without loss of musicality... to get the really big, dense, 'pro' sounding!! result ... And, the multiband functioning was easy to use, musical and opened up a world of possibilities both for guitar, and other applications e.g. mixes. Heard it on a couple of mixes and it really did the right things! Previously, the MLA3, IMO, beat out all other stereo compressors in Vintage Kings 'Hear The Gear' section... And these tests confirmed... Also liked you can use the compressor like a Baxandall Eq, with makeup gains for each frequency band... very powerful!

Anyway, just took delivery of a new MLA3 ... finally, the quintessential flamenco guitar compressor!!! Notwithstanding, compression is only a effect, to be used when needed, and generally to be avoided as per much of the advice above... But when you need to get that extra punch in a mix, or tailor a rough performance... etc. Ole Compressor!

Thanks for everyone's help above...

To the Love that gives us Leif Mases!![thanks for correction below, Waltz!]

Rod

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by Rod Malkin

To the Love that gives us Leif Maselec!!

Leif Mases ... He's also a very good sound engineer.

[polybonk]

Originally Posted by Rod Malkin

Anyway, just took delivery of a new MLA3 ... finally, the quintessential flamenco guitar compressor!!!
Rod

Wow congrats. I never saw that one coming. I will have to keep it in mind.

[cliomastering]

I love it!

[mixerguy]

anyone compared the MLA-3 to the new Neve MBP?

admittedly the Neve MBP is not a multiband, of course, and does other stuff than just compress.....

[NoEgo]

I'm curious about the Neve too. I have the MLA3. The NEve is definitely a different beast. Not a 3 band comp . I use to MLA3 to both comp and eq. Its an amazing unit, but then I have an SPL mid side unit that is pretty good and of course EQ and I am wondering if getting the Neve will gain all that realestate.
I guess this isn't a Neve thread though sorry. Unless no one cares.

[J_Flux]

So a few people have mentioned that this is a great unit for fixing dodgy mixes. I work on a lot of ITB mixes which have dodgy low end and really harsh mid/tops and whilst EQ can help with a lot of these problems, can the MLA-3 be another worthy addition for this kind of work?

Can it also help to open up over compressed mixes? It seems counter intuitive to use a compressor to open up overly compressed material, but from what everyone says, its seems to be so much more than a compressor.

[NoEgo]

Originally Posted by J_Flux

So a few people have mentioned that this is a great unit for fixing dodgy mixes. I work on a lot of ITB mixes which have dodgy low end and really harsh mid/tops and whilst EQ can help with a lot of these problems, can the MLA-3 be another worthy addition for this kind of work?

Can it also help to open up over compressed mixes? It seems counter intuitive to use a compressor to open up overly compressed material, but from what everyone says, its seems to be so much more than a compressor.

Thats a tough feat. I guess if the material is already squashed then all you are doing is playing with amplitude. Destruction to tone is already present. Unless more compression doesn't hurt the material but I would have a tough time hearing and believing it. Just my opinion. Certainly though if you can pick your points freq and bandwidth, you can manipulate signal anyway along the spectrum but if its already had the dynamics slammed the result may not be any better sonically. Again just my two cents. The best compression is none in my case.