Logic 8 Compressor is actually pretty good

[Mr Edit]

I dont know about you but I defiantly have a natural tendancy to head straight for the most expensive plugins I've got every time (generally the Sonnox and Waves SSL). But Im realising I've probably been overlooking the native Logic plugins since the upgrade to V8 and have got to say I'm really liking the opto mode on the L8 compressor.

I also really like the mix control in the extra options, nice quick parallel compressor

I'm probably the last person in the universe to clock on to this but just thought I'd mention it anyway.

Anyone else got any thoughts on it?

Cheers
Nate

[msl]

Lagerfeldt's ssl4000g presets for Logic 8

[iangomes]

it for sure does some things well, but i don't like it for everything

[captain54]

Compared to the Renn Comp?

[A440]

I like it too, especially in opto mode. Lovely on bass guitar.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by Mr Edit

I also really like the mix control in the extra options, nice quick parallel compressor

Built-in parallel compression, distortion emulation, rms/peak, internal sidechain filter eq, external sidechain input, circuit emulations... lots of options and possibilities.

[Tui]

I would say it can sound pretty neutral, even though it has a tendency to fatten the bottom end, which may or may not be desirable, depending on the material.

However, I find Logic's compressor, good as it is, isn't a patch on the Flux Pure Compressor. Check it out.

[Lagerfeldt]

The Flux Solera Compressor is a beast.

[Mr Edit]

Thanks, will check out the Flux compressor.

Yeah I agree with what people are saying, its certainly not a one-stop-shop, but equally a really useful tool in the arsenal with something different on offer to in my case the wave SSL and Sonnox. I think I've been very guilty of intrinsically heading to the more expensive plugs.

Cheers
Nate

[chrishansson]

I love the built in Logic compressor. VCA mode with the attack time at between 8-12 ms, threshold right under -12 can get that really classic SSL compression slap on a kick and snare and it sounds wonderful. Bringing out tracks using the Auto Gain function actually makes them sound pretty good too.
Stay away from the Platinum'pressor. It is awful, terrible. Do yourself a favor and change Platinum to ClassA_R and save the preset as #default . Thanks

The ClassA_R and ClassA_U types are allegedly based on Red and Urei compressors, the FET, VCA and Opto are generic emulations of those three types of compressor. They all have different characteristics of how "grabby" they are, what they do to transients, tonality, etc.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by Mr Edit

Thanks, will check out the Flux compressor.

Get the Solera, not the scaled down Pure version.

[Tui]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Get the Solera, not the scaled down Pure version.

I had a look at the Solera. Quite complex, and more of a mastering tool, innit? The "scaled down" version is for regular mixing purposes.

[SFTPH]

Originally Posted by captain54

Compared to the Renn Comp?

I did not even bother to reinstall my Waves Ren collection when I upgraded to a new Nehalem Mac Pro last month. Ren comp time has come and gone, IMHO.

[Mr Edit]

And would you guys rate the Flux stuff above the Sonnox compressor?. I really am enjoying the Sonnox dynamics plugin albeit it doesn't have much colour to it (which is often great), which is where the Logic comp and Waves SSL come into play for me.

[captain54]

Originally Posted by SFTPH

I did not even bother to reinstall my Waves Ren collection when I upgraded to a new Nehalem Mac Pro last month. Ren comp time has come and gone, IMHO.

Really? interesting...

you found all of the stock Logic plugs suitable substitutes or are you using other
third parties?

my mains are Renn Comp, Renn Vox and L1

[Tui]

Originally Posted by Mr Edit

And would you guys rate the Flux stuff above the Sonnox compressor?. I really am enjoying the Sonnox dynamics plugin albeit it doesn't have much colour to it (which is often great), which is where the Logic comp and Waves SSL come into play for me.

I'd say they are quite different. The Sonnox is very, very good, but what comes out the other end can sound a little "processed". The Flux, however, sounds incredibly transparent, and, like the Sonnox, is very fast and follows the dynamics of the music perfectly. Give it a try, if you like Logic's compressor, you'll love the Flux.

BTW, on the topic of free v. commercial plug-ins, the other day I re-discovered Voxengo's Overtone EQ. I had used it before sparingly on hi-hats and cymbals, but didn't take it quite seriously because it's, well, free. So, I gave it another shot, dialed in 8X oversampling, and hey, this thing sounds sweet on just about everything. Great for cutting lower mids without messing up the top, also very good at boosting around 12K. I like it!

[SFTPH]

Originally Posted by captain54

Really? interesting...

you found all of the stock Logic plugs suitable substitutes or are you using other
third parties?

my mains are Renn Comp, Renn Vox and L1

I have 3rd party stuff for most FX and EQ/comp. Renn always loses out between the Rocket, Abbey Roads limiter and L8 comp. I cannot get the waves stuff to pump or snap musically and the top always gets filtered.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by Mr Edit

And would you guys rate the Flux stuff above the Sonnox compressor?.

The Flux Solera is probably the most versatile and complex digital dynamic processor out there. Especially useful for mastering but less of a go-to mix compressor due to the complexity and interface.

I wouldn't get the scaled down Pure version as some of the more interesting features are missing.

[kozlikha]

What is the difference between Logic's FX vs Waves, etc. I am not talking about emulated plugs, but standard ones. Don't they all share almost identical algorithms? Analogue gear has a "lack of precision", because of that, partially, it has character leading to brand individuality. Personally, I fail to see why even bother with third party plugs, unless they really do offer real benefit, for instance SSL Duende Classic, which is worth every penny

[Sal Handsome]

I tested Logic's compressor using Lagerfeldt's own SSL preset against Cytomic The Glue compressor on a song of mine.
Not only could I dial Logic's very close to The Glue, but it actually sounded better, slightly more open.

The Logic team did a fantastic job on this plug.

[SFTPH]

Originally Posted by kozlikha

What is the difference between Logic's FX vs Waves, etc. I am not talking about emulated plugs, but standard ones. Don't they all share almost identical algorithms? Analogue gear has a "lack of precision", because of that, partially, it has character leading to brand individuality. Personally, I fail to see why even bother with third party plugs, unless they really do offer real benefit, for instance SSL Duende Classic, which is worth every penny

Most of the bundled plugs are decent but there are alternatives (some payware, some freeware) that are just-a-little-better to night-and-day-difference-better. The bundled stuff gives a good start.

[orjankarlsson]

Originally Posted by Sal Handsome

I tested Logic's compressor using Lagerfeldt's own SSL preset against Cytomic The Glue compressor on a song of mine.
Not only could I dial Logic's very close to The Glue, but it actually sounded better, slightly more open.

The Logic team did a fantastic job on this plug.

I also tried to mimic The Glue with Logics compressor and The Glue won everytime. It's still a good compressor but The Glue has something special going on that is not that easy to copy.

[Lagerfeldt]

The Logic compressor is very versatile, I've recently made quite a respectable de-esser preset (for vocals) using the compressor:

Using the Logic Pro Compressor as a De-Esser

[leolycra]

.. i must say i have demoed last week whole sonnox bundle and i finally ended up with logic comp- it is awesome beast.

the presets on this comp are great as well i know - "nobody" is using presets but these are well done same as whole plugin.

boosting 82 hz in submenu and sidechaining to kick=this is dynamic + i really like to use included limiter- just put preset kick and put -3 db on this limiter for additional snap whata SSLish

and biggest pro is my mac like this plugin so i dont need to worry about CPU.

For master still hardware but for creativity in the field

[devinkerr]

I use the Flux Solera in mixing situations constantly.

Great for drum bus, vocals, piano...

Also has a killin' look-ahead gate/expander with very flexible side-chaining. I have never ever gotten a kick drum gate to be so transparent.

The Solera is awesome in both mix and mastering situations.

[nickynicknick]

the logic comp presets are very well designed...most of logic's plugs are very useful and the presets very well thought out..you can learn a lot from the presets...really.

Nick