Best / Most transparent AU compressor?

reid · 7th October 2005, 02:30 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm hunting around for as transparent and unoticeable a software (AU) compressor as I can find, to use primarily for final mixing as opposed to individual instruments.

At the moment I'm considering the Sonalkiss - anyone got an informed opinion on what else I should be looking at?

FWIW, I'm currently using PSP's Vintage Warmer and EA's Finis on my mixes (in Logic 7), but feel that for certain material they're making their presence too felt.

Thanks

PS - I'm not against installing a card if it gives me access to a blinding plug, but would prefer to keep things simple. (OK..... cheap )

jdunn · 8th October 2005, 05:44 AM

You're using Finis, so I'm assuming you may have tried Neodynium. Did you not like it? I thought the interface was weird at first, but if you switch it so there's only one "band" working, it's a lot easier to figure out. I think it sounds good.

If you have the FX Pansion VST->AU Adaptor, you might check out the Anwida compressor. It's supposed to be pretty good and transparent too.

Anwida CX1V

AdamJay · 8th October 2005, 06:18 AM

Wave Arts' Multidynamics

Kubilay · 8th October 2005, 06:41 AM

Sonalksis is a great compressor, but "transparent" (as in: you don't know it's there) it is not... it beefs things up quite noticeably.

Lagerfeldt · 8th October 2005, 01:25 PM

I use hardware for mix compression (Gyraf and/or SSL clone) but neither are transparent. I don't necessarily like transparent.

And Waves Renaissance or Sonalksis SV-315 certainly aren't transparent either.

However, the Sonalksis has become my new favourite AU compressor, also the eq is the best IMO (I tested it against Q-series, Renaissance, Equim, etc.).

You can get a bundle containing SV-315 + SV-517 from Sonalksis.com

You could also check out the Masters Bundle from Waves, containing linear phase EQs and linear phase multiband compression and the L3 UltraMaximizer. Those can be pretty transparent if you use them conservatively, but there's no broadband compressor in the package.

You could also try doing some parallel compression, although it might fatten the sound a bit too much it can sound quite transparent in some cases too.

reid · 8th October 2005, 11:34 PM

Some great suggestions there guys - thanks.

Don't know where I got the idea that Sonalkiss were making a 'polite' compressor...

Think I'll give WaveArts a whirl first, then continue through the menu!

henryrobinett · 8th October 2005, 11:39 PM

You may think I'm nuts, but the Metric Halo Channel Strip is pretty transparent. The old CS sucked (pun intended) in the compression department. The newer one is a vast, vast improvement. I always go for it when I want a transparent comp. Plus I have good eq and a gate along with it. A very useable plug.

Lagerfeldt · 9th October 2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reid

Some great suggestions there guys - thanks.

Don't know where I got the idea that Sonalkiss were making a 'polite' compressor...

Think I'll give WaveArts a whirl first, then continue through the menu!

You're welcome.

Actually they're called "Sonalksis" not "Sonalkiss". I know, it's a pretty weird and unpronouncable name..

Did you check it out? There's a free 30 days demo on their website.

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7th October 2005, 02:30 PM	#1
reid Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Berlin-London Posts: 608	Best / Most transparent AU compressor? Hi everyone, I'm hunting around for as transparent and unoticeable a software (AU) compressor as I can find, to use primarily for final mixing as opposed to individual instruments. At the moment I'm considering the Sonalkiss - anyone got an informed opinion on what else I should be looking at? FWIW, I'm currently using PSP's Vintage Warmer and EA's Finis on my mixes (in Logic 7), but feel that for certain material they're making their presence too felt. Thanks PS - I'm not against installing a card if it gives me access to a blinding plug, but would prefer to keep things simple. (OK..... cheap )

8th October 2005, 05:44 AM	#2
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,698	You're using Finis, so I'm assuming you may have tried Neodynium. Did you not like it? I thought the interface was weird at first, but if you switch it so there's only one "band" working, it's a lot easier to figure out. I think it sounds good. If you have the FX Pansion VST->AU Adaptor, you might check out the Anwida compressor. It's supposed to be pretty good and transparent too. Anwida CX1V __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

8th October 2005, 06:41 AM	#4
Kubilay Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 215	Sonalksis is a great compressor, but "transparent" (as in: you don't know it's there) it is not... it beefs things up quite noticeably. __________________ Kubi

8th October 2005, 01:25 PM	#5
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,573	I use hardware for mix compression (Gyraf and/or SSL clone) but neither are transparent. I don't necessarily like transparent. And Waves Renaissance or Sonalksis SV-315 certainly aren't transparent either. However, the Sonalksis has become my new favourite AU compressor, also the eq is the best IMO (I tested it against Q-series, Renaissance, Equim, etc.). You can get a bundle containing SV-315 + SV-517 from Sonalksis.com You could also check out the Masters Bundle from Waves, containing linear phase EQs and linear phase multiband compression and the L3 UltraMaximizer. Those can be pretty transparent if you use them conservatively, but there's no broadband compressor in the package. You could also try doing some parallel compression, although it might fatten the sound a bit too much it can sound quite transparent in some cases too. __________________ Producer & engineer Apple Certified Trainer in Logic Pro Popmusic.dk Production Hit Kit V3 Sample CD Urban & Electronic Beat Production - used on Billboard #1 hits (recently on: Katy Perry, Britney, Usher, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, The Pussycat Dolls)

8th October 2005, 06:18 AM	#3
AdamJay Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,368	Wave Arts' Multidynamics

8th October 2005, 11:34 PM	#6
reid Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Berlin-London Posts: 608	Some great suggestions there guys - thanks. Don't know where I got the idea that Sonalkiss were making a 'polite' compressor... Think I'll give WaveArts a whirl first, then continue through the menu!

8th October 2005, 11:39 PM	#7
henryrobinett Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 5,911	You may think I'm nuts, but the Metric Halo Channel Strip is pretty transparent. The old CS sucked (pun intended) in the compression department. The newer one is a vast, vast improvement. I always go for it when I want a transparent comp. Plus I have good eq and a gate along with it. A very useable plug. __________________ All the best, Henry Robinett

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