Shadow Hils Mastering Comp ?

[petermontg]

Originally Posted by TanTan

Hello,

I'm working on my new mastering chain and I'm considering the Shadow Hills as my main mastering comp for several reasons: it sounds great, it's versatile, all stepped recallable switches and it looks amazing !

So what's the question ? OK, I admit that I'm confused here.. I'm so used to have a different machine for every specific task and the SHMC is actually 3 different units in one shall which can be a great thing or a bad thing, it depends.. It's actually a VCA comp, an Opto comp and a coloration device.. I've been searching the forums to find out how each part compares with its competition and couldn't find any info and I need your help.. two separated compressors (1 VCA and 1 OPTO\V.MU) or a SHMC ?

1. Did any of you ever compare the VCA compressor with: GML, Vertigo, MLA3, STC-8, SSL, or any other heavy weight competitor I didn't mention ?

2. Did any of you ever compare the OPTO compressor with: OCL-2, MLA-2, or any other heavy weight competitor I didn't mention ?

3. as for coloration I'm not really worried because I have a fully loaded Anamod ATS-1 and many other "coloration devices" so the SHMC tranni choice in the make up gain thing can be a cool bonus but not really a factor for my choice of mastering compressors setup..

What do you think ?

Thanks

Personally I never used the SHMC, but from the people around me that do, there doesn't seem much of a need for another compressor in the chain.

[snax_box]

The Shadow Hills unit is awesome. It kind of does it's own thing, especially with switchable output transformers. Gear that nice doesn't really "compete", each unit has its own use and application, but to agree with the above, I never really use any other comps anymore. Especially for tracking.

[MAzevedo]

I have used the SHMC, STC-8, and OCL-2 in the same session.

I think the differences come down to color. The SHMC is very, very colorful, even with the most neutral output trafo engaged. The STC-8 is very clean, and the OCL-2 is probably the cleanest tube opto around. I found the SHMC to be very quickly and obviously Right or Wrong for a track, either the coloration worked or it didn't. I wouldn't want the SHMC as my main compressor because I've heard it sound wrong on enough material that I know I'd need to go elsewhere often, but I think it is a cool thing to have as a 2nd or 3rd option.

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by snax_box

The Shadow Hills unit is awesome. It kind of does it's own thing, especially with switchable output transformers. Gear that nice doesn't really "compete", each unit has its own use and application.

I Agree so I'll make my question more specific, I'm looking for a VCA and an Opto comps that will provide the most versatile and powerful dynamic manipulation rather than cool color that Im getting anyway from my Anamod ATS-1, tube EQ's etc, does the SHMC provides that ?

Originally Posted by MAzevedo

I have used the SHMC, STC-8, and OCL-2 in the same session.

I think the differences come down to color. The SHMC is very, very colorful, even with the most neutral output trafo engaged. The STC-8 is very clean, and the OCL-2 is probably the cleanest tube opto around. I found the SHMC to be very quickly and obviously Right or Wrong for a track, either the coloration worked or it didn't. I wouldn't want the SHMC as my main compressor because I've heard it sound wrong on enough material that I know I'd need to go elsewhere often, but I think it is a cool thing to have as a 2nd or 3rd option.

That's a very important input for me, thanks, what would be your choices for main mastering compressor/s ? And why ?

[MAzevedo]

Personally, I am a big fan of an STC-8 or pair of Trakkers (which in some ways are more flexible than the STC-8) and the OCL-2 that I mentioned. I demo'd the Elysia Alpha and really liked it, but it is a lot of dough. I played with the Neve MBP at a convention and really liked it, but haven't used it on a session. I also have done some great sounding work with the Foote P3S. I did a ton of records with a Requisite L2M which I really love with .5 to 1.0 dB of reduction. The L2M is also colorful, but in a mild, euphonic way to my ear.

[MAzevedo]

And, the "very, very" colorful description of the SH might just be my preferences. As you can see from that list of things I like, they tend to be on the clean side of things.

[priko]

Check the Rockruepel comp one. it's a beautiful vari mu quite transparent.

[Magucci]

Originally Posted by priko

Check the Rockruepel comp one. it's a beautiful vari mu quite transparent.

+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
on the Rockruepel!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I didn't count the zeros above...but to suggest a comp wich kicks @$$es of all comps mentioned in the thread and all time on GS is almost illegal

[Ben F]

The SH is more of a mix bus EQ IMO, very coloured in an obvious way. Quite heavy handed for mastering.

You can't go wrong with vari-mu for rock/acoustic music. There are so many high quality options put there!

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by MAzevedo

And, the "very, very" colorful description of the SH might just be my preferences. As you can see from that list of things I like, they tend to be on the clean side of things.

Thanks MAzevedo actually I'm considering all the compressors you have mentioned above !

Originally Posted by priko

Check the Rockruepel comp one. it's a beautiful vari mu quite transparent.

It looks great ! unfortunately I can't demo one in Israel..

Originally Posted by Ben F

The SH is more of a mix bus EQ IMO, very coloured in an obvious way. Quite heavy handed for mastering.

You can't go wrong with vari-mu for rock/acoustic music. There are so many high quality options put there!

Thanks ! I'm off the Shadow Hills for mastering. I didn't consider a VaMu but it really make me think, the times I've heard the Manley VaMu I thought it was a bit muddy and slow, very nice "warm" character but "going against the groove", but, it was in another engineer's hands so I'm not sure about it and got to try it myself..



BTW I've heard great stuff about the Charter Oak mastering compressor, would you consider it a contender in this league ?

[livingstone]

Originally Posted by TanTan

I didn't consider a VaMu but it really make me think, the times I've heard the Manley VaMu I thought it was a bit muddy and slow, very nice "warm" character but "going against the groove"..

Contact Jonte Knif for a demo of his Vari mu II then ....

[TanTan]

I've ended up with a Maselec MLA-2 and MLA-3, they compliment each other really good and allowing such a deep control over mixes its just amazing..!

[petermontg]

Congrats on the MLA-3 and MLA-2. I was on the hunt for Vari Mu same time as yourself. Ended up with HCL Varis, just waiting for a finish date on it. Going hunting for MLA-3 now myself. Fun times.....

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by petermontg

Congrats on the MLA-3 and MLA-2. I was on the hunt for Vari Mu same time as yourself. Ended up with HCL Varis, just waiting for a finish date on it. Going hunting for MLA-3 now myself. Fun times.....

The HCL product line looks great ! it's the first time I'm seeing it.. thanks man, how does it compare with the Manley VariMu ?

[petermontg]

I've never compared the 2 so I would not know.. The control options Hp/Tp feedforward/feed back is what really interested me and the samples I was pretty happy with.. Considering the price tag of the unit was another swing factor..

But I wouldn't know how it would compare to Manley. Let me spend some time with it and I shall let you know.

[tyrobins]

I just got a chance to audition the new RND Master Buss Processor, and it is VERY versatile. FB, FF, Silk modes, M/S processing, a very transparent limiter, RMS vs. Peak, and a compressor that will allow for a lot of dB reduction before becoming apparent.

It is the exact opposite of a 1 trick pony...and it does its many tricks very well.

I've also used the SHMC, and it is amazing. But it is more colored. Especially the opto compressor. But when it works with certain material, it really works well.