UFC 209: Phoenix VS. Vari-Mu LIVE in Vegas!

[tuvokzeta9]

Ok, nothing to do with the UFC really or Las Vegas, Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogain, or Dana White. However, I am soon to be purchasing a tracking/mastering compressor and I wanted to ask everyone within an internets earshot to chime in on which contender they like best. That means everyone. Even use this opportunity to tell why you love or hate any particular piece of gear! Oh yeah, bring it! Ding!!

The two contenders are...

The Thermionic Culture Phoenix (non-mastering edition)

and...

The Manley Labs Vari-Mu (non mastering edition)

Earlier contenders included...

Avalon 747

and the

API 2500

But they are out at this point. If I am going to spend a dollar... I may as well spend them all. Don't want to buy a piece like this twice... if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the replies, input and experience!

[spicemix]

The Phoenix is far less colored than the Vari Mu, and far more transparent. They are totally different beasts. I found the Phoenix to be of more general value but I would like the Vari mu as a flavor when appropriate.

The Phoenix is, generally, quite subtle, although the input knob is like a "Bigness" control. It's a gorgeous sound. The Vari Mu has far more attitude and is a love/hate piece.

When you are testing you're going to think about the Phoenix's transparency as sort of a "why spend all that money for transparency?" but then you might catch yourself and realize being able to do what it does so transparently is exactly why it should cost that much.

It is suggested you try the HPF/T-bar mod Vari mu.

[Ben F]

That's interesting. I wouldn't call them 'totally different beasts', as they do share many similarities.

I think the Pheonix has a definite 'colour' that can be quite aggressive depending on the drive. I kinda like it between 3 and 4 most times (driving it with peaks 3-6dB below 0dBFS). It can distort easily so I generally have the gain into it not too high. It can be subtle or severe. Beautiful 'euphoric' tube colour though, with RMS power until tomorrow. A beast that most clients love- especially with dub/hip-hop/electronica.

Used to have a Manley Vari-mu. Again, nice box, probably a bit more of a sonic signature as Manley gear tends to have. For rock, great box, but for bass heavy music could not compete with the Pheonix. The Pheonix has more balls an power. So it stayed and the Manley went- but I do miss it at times for the odd rock project.

The HPF makes the Pheonix a much more versatile beast- more so than the Manley.

[tuvokzeta9]

Guys thanks for the replies! I am doing a lot of reading and asking about these pieces... like in this thread. I am leaning towards the Phoenix even if it is more expensive. Both of these pieces really have caught my attention... and that means I really gotta do my research!

Thanks again and please all that read... join in... Thank Ya'all!!!

[streetbeats]

FWIW these guys are way better judges than those assigned to most UFC events ;)

[aleatoric]

Anderson Silva would destroy both!

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by streetbeats

FWIW these guys are way better judges than those assigned to most UFC events ;)

+1

Latest robberies:
Shogun Rua to Machida
Couture to Vera

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by TranscendingM

+1

Latest robberies:
Shogun Rua to Machida
Couture to Vera

Indeed....I was at 105 too....best atmosphere of any UFC Ive been to....really good night. Was hoarse for almost a week I shouted so much lol...

The judges issues is long standing, and the points system needs an overhaul, though Id rather see Josh Koscheck pulled up for being a cheating weasel first

@ the OP....
out of interest why did you discount the 2500?
Its a completely different animal to either of these vari-mu's. Id say more flexible. Of course if you're only after the vari-mus style of compression then it makes sense, but I assume the 2500 was in your initial choices for a reason?

[alcopop]

If you go the Phoenix route I think you really need a clean vca comp to compliment it . The Phoenix has magic , no doubt, but I never use it to shave more than half a db max in mastering . It's all about the gain stage , the chocolate pudding low end and the brilliance it adds . when it works it really works .

I don't know much about UFC but if this was WWF It's Brutus the barber beef cake V the rock!!! ;)

[tuvokzeta9]

I only discounted the 2500 because I want tubes in gain stage (at least for now) and I think I can get either the Phoenix or the Vari-Mu at a really good price. The more I research compressors it seems that if you buy one your are just going to by like 5 more for their various functions and flavors. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Edit: It should be known that I am kinda a compressor noob. Just for the record.

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by streetbeats

Indeed....I was at 105 too....best atmosphere of any UFC Ive been to....really good night. Was hoarse for almost a week I shouted so much lol...

The judges issues is long standing, and the points system needs an overhaul, though Id rather see Josh Koscheck pulled up for being a cheating weasel first

Ah, that's amazing, I really need to experience it live already. How high do you think the SPL gets with those crowds??

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by TranscendingM

Ah, that's amazing, I really need to experience it live already. How high do you think the SPL gets with those crowds??

Not sure, but high enough to warrant wearing my ER-15 plugs....

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by streetbeats

Not sure, but high enough to warrant wearing my ER-15 plugs....

oh absolutely. Man I have my plugs in when I'm at the library

[chrislago]

Originally Posted by TranscendingM

+1

Latest robberies:
Shogun Rua to Machida
Couture to Vera

Hopefully Fedor can sign a Contract and F everyone up in his division. I saw the fight against Brett Rogers and it was incredible, Fedor was bleeding a lot from his nose, kept fighting, and finally knocked him out. Good fight.

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by chrislago

Hopefully Fedor can sign a Contract

Not any time soon, if ever.....Scott Cokers got him locked down...

[formlabs]

Should we start another forum... MMAsters?

I had no idea there were so many of you that also follow MMA so much. (I've been hooked since UFC 50 or so...) Make sure to check out this great podcast.... The Lights Out Show - MMA's #1 Radio Show & Podcast


Btw, I'm getting an API 2500 really soon. Super flexible, great value...

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by formlabs

Should we start another forum... MMAsters?

I had no idea there were so many of you that also follow MMA so much. (I've been hooked since UFC 50 or so...) Make sure to check out this great podcast.... The Lights Out Show - MMA's #1 Radio Show & Podcast


Btw, I'm getting an API 2500 really soon. Super flexible, great value...

Its a good show indeed - tend to only havbe time to check a few regular podcasts and news shows, even though more are popping up each week.

Enjoy the 2500, I wouldnt be without mine

[formlabs]

I've been in touch with TLOS a few times. Chris is a professional voice over actor and their audio quality is excellent for a podcast, so I sent Chris a link to this thread... he talks about it at the top of their show! This week in volume 410.

http://media.podcastingmanager.com/6...20410-TLOS.mp3

[streetbeats]

Hah nice one Brian

All these audio masterers gone mad