Foote Control Systems P3S Mastering Edition Compressor Review

[jrussell]

Originally Posted by Virtalahde

May I suggest the Knif discussion continues in the Knif thread?

My bad, I mistakenly thought this was that thread.

[priko]

I would like to add to aleatoric review that the FCS P3S ME is sounding really silky and sweet. I prefer it over the Vertigo VSC2 with the same technology VCA. The sweetness is particularly precious when one receive harsh digital mixes.

[RogerFoote]

Originally Posted by jrussell

My bad, I mistakenly thought this was that thread.

That was me who "derailed" the thread when I mentioned I would be getting a Knif vari mu soon...

Back to our originally scheduled program...

[Steab]

Is there even a foote control systems website?
Are there any retailers in Europe?

[RogerFoote]

Originally Posted by Virtalahde

Yeah, I know. When I had my GSSL build with some THAT or DBX VCA inside it, it did have something wrong with it when you tried to make up the gain. I've also installed a similar compressor inside a console, and one of the mixing guys said he's noticing they sound go "grey".

I'll have to test this further, but the all-in-one chip in these things seems to sound better. Although, I'm going to hook up a simple low/high EQ with gain make-up (Forssell 993) at the end of the chain, which might just as well be the final word in gain for me.

Jaakko,

Could those VCAs be 2150s? I had 32 channels of mix automation using those things... It's like the new VCAs are from a different universe!

I have very similar sound/performance to the P3S using seperate VCAs and RMS detectors but the I/O in that product (P4DMS) is so different that the box as a whole does sound very different. But, I have none of the issues there that I have had with "vintage" VCAs. If I were to swap in 2150s or older that grainy character might resurface.

I spent 3 months comparing VCAs in a minimal test bed... Just VCA and the components needed to interface with the outside world, and the results were a real eye opener! Nuff said on that particular subject, exept that the VCA is not where you want to get character!!!!

And, you are correct. The all in one "Analog Engine" does sound very good indeed compared against anything currently available.

I have also played with external gain and had good results there. I have used Ampex 351, simple op amp stages using Scott Liebers' excellent 2520, AD797 based solutions and Wayne Kirkwood's Class A stage.

All obviously different in character, all desirable.

I have also used the onboard, VCA derived gain built into the P3S and P3S ME and haven't noticed any detrimental effect. Very transparent gain there.

When I do THD plots, I test the audio path with no GR or gain and see THD figures as low as 0.0044% THD. This test is mainly to confirm that the design is sound more than a spec that suggests any tonality that the P3S has. It does not say anything about the sweet silky character of the box. We have to keep in mind that compression, or any other modulation of audio IS distortion from one perspective or another.

One thing I would really like to have in my studio would be a Stereo Kirkwood Class A line amp driving some transformers in a rack box for just this purpose... I think that and my dual 351 line amp would be the 2 most "go to" external gain stages, at least for me.

Best
Roger

[RogerFoote]

Originally Posted by priko

I would like to add to aleatoric review that the FCS P3S ME is sounding really silky and sweet. I prefer it over the Vertigo VSC2 with the same technology VCA. The sweetness is particularly precious when one receive harsh digital mixes.

Hi Priko

Glad you finallly got a chance to check those out! Thank you very much for the feedback, and I am happy they are working out for you!

Best regards
Roger

[RogerFoote]

Originally Posted by Steab

Is there even a foote control systems website?
Are there any retailers in Europe?

Ahem.... Not yet. The ogre in the cellar has been so busy building product that he has had no time to develop a web presence. We are very aware of the need for a web page and it is in the works I promise!

We do have product available in Europe though.

Best regards
Roger

[Virtalahde]

Originally Posted by RogerFoote

Could those VCAs be 2150s?

Now that you say, I think they were 2150's, but they were labeled differently for Japanese market. uAXXXX? NEXXXX? Can't remember.

Originally Posted by RogerFoote

And, you are correct. The all in one "Analog Engine" does sound very good indeed compared against anything currently available.

You often see people complaining about the sound of IC's, but the truth is that in well-designed IC's the small package IS one of the exact reasons why things might sound good and transparent. The signal path is greatly shortened, stray capacitance minimized, every stage of the amplifier working neatly under the same temperature..

IC hatery is so 80's. THAT Corp's Analog Engine is one remarkable design, National Semi has a few amps that are wonderful. LME49713 is an excellent buffer.

[RogerFoote]

Originally Posted by Virtalahde

IC hatery is so 80's.

Great quote!

[nomatic]

I took delivery of my new P3S ME in Red a couple of days ago.....

As has been said already in the past this unit sounds just incredible
on program material. I think RMS mode must be the smoothest detection
I have ever heard. I must say on a sonic level I think this box reflects
Roger Foote's UBER GEEK level of understanding of circuit design
and is a sweet and wide sounding device. If anybody has ever talked to the MR. Foote on the phone you get quickly that this guy really cares about
quality and the ME edition is a testament to integrity at a component level.

[Parametex]

Looking sweeeet!

Perhaps a silly question but what is the O/T button for?

Px

[bleen]

Originally Posted by Parametex

Looking sweeeet!

Perhaps a silly question but what is the O/T button for?

Px

It allows you to take the Carnhill output trannies out of the signal path.

[Parametex]

Originally Posted by bleen

It allows you to take the Carnhill output trannies out of the signal path.

Excellent!

[aleatoric]

Originally Posted by nomatic

I took delivery of my new P3S ME in Red a couple of days ago.....

As has been said already in the past this unit sounds just incredible
on program material. I think RMS mode must be the smoothest detection
I have ever heard. I must say on a sonic level I think this box reflects
Roger Foote's UBER GEEK level of understanding of circuit design
and is a sweet and wide sounding device. If anybody has ever talked to the MR. Foote on the phone you get quickly that this guy really cares about
quality and the ME edition is a testament to integrity at a component level.

Looking good Michael!

[Cellotron]

I definitely like the look of that red face plate over the old brownish one. Is this the new stock color for the mastering edition or was this a custom order?

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by Cellotron

I definitely like the look of that red face plate over the old brownish one. Is this the new stock color for the mastering edition or was this a custom order?

I think I remember Roger saying the new standard color will be black, but you can order other custom colors.

Found it: Foote Control Systems P3S Compressor

[nomatic]

Its a custom order for an extra 25 bucks........
We also went with the silver knobs with the little pyramids for
extra smooth compression.......

I just finished some Masters with this today and It feels like cheating.

[RogerFoote]

Thanks for the update, Michael!
Glad it's working out.

Best
Roger

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by Waltz Mastering

I think I remember Roger saying the new standard color will be black, but you can order other custom colors.

Found it: Foote Control Systems P3S Compressor

anyone have any pics of any of the other colors?

the red does look sweet, tho!

and - how hot do these units run? do they need an open space below and above for ventilation? or not?

[priko]

Originally Posted by mixerguy

anyone have any pics of any of the other colors?

the red does look sweet, tho!

and - how hot do these units run? do they need an open space below and above for ventilation? or not?

I have a unit "on" for 2 months in my rack, it doesn't get hot. So, to my opinion, it does need to leave a space below and above

[nomatic]

I have had mine on for several days and it is barley warm.......

Damn it sounds really good. It makes tracks instantly dense and glued
but without the obvious compression artifacts. (At Least in RMS mode)

The Mastering EQ is going to smoke! (that was outside voice wasn't it?)

[RogerFoote]

Hi guys,

The P3S ME doesn't need any space around it at all...
It really doesn't even need the vents in the cover, but that's the way the cases are made.

We have only made the P3S ME in mittle bronze and red so far, and Michael (Nomatic) already posted pics of the red unit.

You can see what black would look in these pics of the P3S standard version:

FCS P3S Stereo rackmount compressor

Best regards
Roger

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by nomatic

I took delivery of my new P3S ME in Red a couple of days ago.....

As has been said already in the past this unit sounds just incredible
on program material. I think RMS mode must be the smoothest detection
I have ever heard. I must say on a sonic level I think this box reflects
Roger Foote's UBER GEEK level of understanding of circuit design
and is a sweet and wide sounding device. If anybody has ever talked to the MR. Foote on the phone you get quickly that this guy really cares about
quality and the ME edition is a testament to integrity at a component level.

Congrats Nomatic!!

I gotta have me a red p3s ME.....someday.....

@Roger, WOW man - this thing looks Killer! ABSOLUTELY GREAT WERK!!!!

[RogerFoote]

Hey Adam,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for the kind words!

rf

[da goose]

Why am i seriously tempted to buy a unit? I see a lot of raving reviews and i think i really want one.. The red panel also looks pretty cool!

[nomatic]

[QUOTE=Roc Mixwell;6526815]Congrats Nomatic!!

I gotta have me a red p3s ME.....someday.....

Thanks Brotha..........

[DominicWyeth]

Grab one. You won't be sorry.

[Tube World]

I currently have is the Portico comp which is VCA and has forward and feedback mode. I currently am using the Samplitude Ammunition plug in for mastering. I am more interested in the standard P3S comp as I would want to use it for several situations including mastering. Just wondered if it is different enough from the Portico....with both being VCA?

[nomatic]

I have had both and I would say they are quite different. Between the 2
you could do alot.....

[Tube World]

Originally Posted by nomatic

I have had both and I would say they are quite different. Between the 2
you could do alot.....

Could you elaborate on the differences? I had a Avalon 747 for mastering and it just took the umph out of the mixes with the pillow-ee touch that it added. The Foote is in a affordable price catagory for me, and I am gaining interest with the unit.

I don't like the brown look, but would like it a lot in black or even red.