What's your favourite Vocal EQ & compression plugin?

theother · 25th March 2006, 11:50 PM

ie what do you use to add a bit of air?

Care to share your 'go settings' to add a bit of HF?

Any plugin that you'd trust to do the compression on mixdown for lead vocals instead of hardware?

I'm interested in VST but if you're on PT please post as well.

Thanks!

djui5 · 25th March 2006, 11:57 PM

Ren comp and ren vox are killer. Since I don't have them, now I use.....

For eq I like the eq3 for clean stuff. works wonders. I don't usually add much flavor eq to vox trax.

wyndrock · 26th March 2006, 05:56 AM

i happen to like the wave arts v5 trackplug. it has everything you need and it's cpu light.

theother · 26th March 2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndrock

i happen to like the wave arts v5 trackplug. it has everything you need and it's cpu light. oh so nice. oh so flexible. oh so affordable for the crazy greatness that they give you.

in my opinion it's one of the best things out there for vocals for the money, or any budget really...

get the whole suite. you'll never be happier about your decision.

They are cheap but are they better than URS, UAD-1, Waves SSL, Sonalksis, TriTone, etc.?

feyshay · 26th March 2006, 03:38 PM

I'd consider the combination of Crunchessor and Gliss EQ for $100. Gliss EQ will add some air.
Golden Audio Channel runs just under $200.
Or Voxformer from Voxengo.
I usually use Neodynium or PSP Vintage Warmer for the compression and then Eqium or PSP Master Q for the equalization.
PSP Mix Pack has a Mix Treble which can add some air. In fact, the whole MixPack is good for versatility.
There's a lot of good options out there for you.
I didn't like the WaveArts stuff

wyndrock · 27th March 2006, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theother

They are cheap but are they better than URS, UAD-1, Waves SSL, Sonalksis, TriTone, etc.?

they very well could be.

(is this the high-end forum?...sometimes i get lost..)

kudzu · 27th March 2006, 02:59 AM

UAD-1 Pultec pro + LA2A works for me ...

wyndrock · 27th March 2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kudzu

UAD-1 Pultec pro + LA2A works for me ...

sounds good

wyndrock · 27th March 2006, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feyshay

I'd consider the combination of Crunchessor and Gliss EQ for $100. Gliss EQ will add some air.
Golden Audio Channel runs just under $200.
Or Voxformer from Voxengo.
I usually use Neodynium or PSP Vintage Warmer for the compression and then Eqium or PSP Master Q for the equalization.
PSP Mix Pack has a Mix Treble which can add some air. In fact, the whole MixPack is good for versatility.
There's a lot of good options out there for you.
I didn't like the WaveArts stuff

i passed on all of those for the wave arts suite.

kudzu · 27th March 2006, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndrock

wow, you can get native VST's of the UAD stuff? Cool! sign me up! Where did you find those?

No, sorry u can't ... u need the PCI card to run UAD-1's ... didn't realise u were only talking 'bout VST plugs ...

stealthbalance · 27th March 2006, 03:46 AM

as far as plug-ins go.....
for top end ... a different thing that sometimes is nice for top end is turning up the sapphire setting on the cranesong phoenix plugs - instead of reaching for top end on an eq. as far as top end eq goes , maybe check out the top end band of the eq in t-racks.
also , cranking a nice bit of warmth on the sony oxford dynamics plug can be really special on a vocal.

s

wyndrock · 27th March 2006, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kudzu

No, sorry u can't ... u need the PCI card to run UAD-1's ... didn't realise u were only talking 'bout VST plugs ...

dang. the dream has died.

slaves666 · 27th March 2006, 04:34 AM

UAD pultec-pro into LA-2A.....sometimes in reverse. :)

I agree the Wavearts trackplug is killer. I use it all over the place. It has TONS of presets that are good starting points for getting decent tones. It is light on the CPU and has become my favorite goto plugin. I rarely use it on vocals, but for drums and sometimes bass, it works great.

max cooper · 27th March 2006, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndrock

dang. the dream has died.

I think that damn glorified graphix card is pulling the whole batch of UAD plugins down. My system can handle a lot more native plugins than I use, but what it doesn't like is the UAD cards.

I know they like the copy protection, but c'mon.

back on topic...

I really like the UAD Pultec Pro and the UAD 1176.

Also, Compressor Bank is hard to go wrong with.

The URS EQ's are good.

thermos · 28th March 2006, 04:32 AM

I like tritone digital Valvetone for air and sonalksis comp. Those are the best I've found for vox, except for the uad comps. Valvetone to me still kills all UAD eqs for that job of color/air.

True North · 28th March 2006, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndrock

i happen to like the wave arts v5 trackplug. it has everything you need and it's cpu light. oh so nice. oh so flexible. oh so affordable for the crazy greatness that they give you.

in my opinion it's one of the best things out there for vocals for the money, or any budget really...

get the whole suite. you'll never be happier about your decision.

I have extolled the virtues of Track Plug for quite some time on this site and I use it on pretty much every mix I do, but...................I have never used it on Vox, interesting, I must try it.

As for the rest of the Wave Art plugs I am not a fan of the Verb and the Panorama plugs - but I really like the Multi Dynamics plug.

On Vox - I like the Ren Comp and the UAD LA2A

Lagerfeldt · 28th March 2006, 08:48 AM

Sonalksis SV-517 EQ + SV-315 Comp
Renaissance Compressor

klikklak · 28th March 2006, 08:51 AM

preben · 28th March 2006, 03:03 PM

UAD LA2A, 1176 and sometimes the Pultec.

But generally every time I think something 'new' and nice looking has finally surpassed what I had before I find myself going back to the Sony Eq and Compressor. It's boring to look and doesn't really do 'wow' but (for me!) it just doesn't seem to want to go away.

This was the case with the URS stuff, the Hydratone and (although not for vocal) the Waves SSL plugs. no doubt a big part of it is familiarity though...

timmcallister · 28th March 2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max cooper

I think that damn glorified graphix card is pulling the whole batch of UAD plugins down.

I bought two cards and the ultra pack. and I'll tell ya, if I can't get the UAD card to stabilize in my system soon, I'm selling the whole damn thing. I don't care how good the plugs are, if you can;t reliably use them, they ain't worth it.

**DrDeltaM** · 28th March 2006, 04:16 PM

URS Fulltec EQ is my standard on vocals. I don't use a compressor plugin on vocal, always hardware.

dj_who · 29th March 2006, 12:21 AM

i've been happy with an oktava mk-319 going thru an RNC SN mode with 3 db reduction......

then, uad LA2A -> voxengo marquis comp -> voxengo gliss eq =

andrewj · 31st March 2006, 02:02 PM

Anyone tried Ozone in the Vocaltracks? I must admit I did not, but I heard this tip from an engineer! Perhaps worth a try!?

RoundBadge · 31st March 2006, 02:47 PM

For clean, air top end stuff:the Sony or Massenburg when Hardware isn't an option,they seem to be some of the least destructive plug eq's..
or the URS graphics are pretty decent..
When i'm feeling too lazy to patch a real comp..IE: for quick reference mixes,I seem to go to the UA 1176 emulation more than any plugin comp for vocals..although i used the TG one last week and it sounded kinda cool for that track.

TBlizz · 31st March 2006, 02:59 PM

Logic Users Group are having a Metric Halo Group Buy that ends April 5th. You could demo ChannelStrip and probably get it half price before April 5th!

Hope this helps!
Martijn.

djbrough · 31st March 2006, 03:22 PM

EQ = URS Fulltec
Comp = Ren Comp

weedmaker · 31st March 2006, 09:51 PM

My ITB vocal chain:

UAD Fairchild or UAD 1176 or UAD Multiband (new favorite) -> Powercore Character -> UAD Pultec -> UAD Limiter -> Powercore ClassicVerb or VSS3 (I like to think that reverb is an integral part of vocal sound)

BrianT · 31st March 2006, 10:18 PM

UAD Pultec Pro into LA-2 for most females or 1176LN for most males.

UAD Pultec has the best digital "air" I've heard.

T_R_S · 1st April 2006, 06:19 AM

MDW EQ is T H E O N E

TML · 24th January 2008, 09:10 PM

Theother-
Why don't you demo them for yourself instead of letting others make up your mind for you. Put in a little time and work and you'll come up with your own conclusions.

Tim

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25th March 2006, 11:50 PM	#1
theother Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London & Ibiza Posts: 1,638	What's your favourite Vocal EQ & compression plugin? ie what do you use to add a bit of air? Care to share your 'go settings' to add a bit of HF? Any plugin that you'd trust to do the compression on mixdown for lead vocals instead of hardware? I'm interested in VST but if you're on PT please post as well. Thanks!

25th March 2006, 11:57 PM	#2
djui5 Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,680	Ren comp and ren vox are killer. Since I don't have them, now I use..... For eq I like the eq3 for clean stuff. works wonders. I don't usually add much flavor eq to vox trax. __________________ _________________ "What is a crossfire hurricane & why wasn't I born in one?" Randy Wright http://www.myspace.com/djui5

26th March 2006, 05:56 AM	#3
wyndrock Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia - North Carolina - California Posts: 278	i happen to like the wave arts v5 trackplug. it has everything you need and it's cpu light. __________________ Lee Harless Student: Academy of Art - MPT BFA - Film School, Class of '12

28th March 2006, 08:48 AM	#17
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,573	Sonalksis SV-517 EQ + SV-315 Comp Renaissance Compressor __________________ 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)

26th March 2006, 03:38 PM	#5
feyshay Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,273	I'd consider the combination of Crunchessor and Gliss EQ for $100. Gliss EQ will add some air. Golden Audio Channel runs just under $200. Or Voxformer from Voxengo. I usually use Neodynium or PSP Vintage Warmer for the compression and then Eqium or PSP Master Q for the equalization. PSP Mix Pack has a Mix Treble which can add some air. In fact, the whole MixPack is good for versatility. There's a lot of good options out there for you. I didn't like the WaveArts stuff

27th March 2006, 02:59 AM	#7
kudzu Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland UK Posts: 707	UAD-1 Pultec pro + LA2A works for me ...

27th March 2006, 03:46 AM	#11
stealthbalance Lives for gear Join Date: May 2003 Location: united states Posts: 625	as far as plug-ins go..... for top end ... a different thing that sometimes is nice for top end is turning up the sapphire setting on the cranesong phoenix plugs - instead of reaching for top end on an eq. as far as top end eq goes , maybe check out the top end band of the eq in t-racks. also , cranking a nice bit of warmth on the sony oxford dynamics plug can be really special on a vocal. s

27th March 2006, 04:34 AM	#13
slaves666 Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,441	UAD pultec-pro into LA-2A.....sometimes in reverse. :) I agree the Wavearts trackplug is killer. I use it all over the place. It has TONS of presets that are good starting points for getting decent tones. It is light on the CPU and has become my favorite goto plugin. I rarely use it on vocals, but for drums and sometimes bass, it works great.

28th March 2006, 04:32 AM	#15
thermos Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,961	I like tritone digital Valvetone for air and sonalksis comp. Those are the best I've found for vox, except for the uad comps. Valvetone to me still kills all UAD eqs for that job of color/air.

28th March 2006, 08:51 AM	#18
klikklak Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	RVOX

28th March 2006, 03:03 PM	#19
preben Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 802	UAD LA2A, 1176 and sometimes the Pultec. But generally every time I think something 'new' and nice looking has finally surpassed what I had before I find myself going back to the Sony Eq and Compressor. It's boring to look and doesn't really do 'wow' but (for me!) it just doesn't seem to want to go away. This was the case with the URS stuff, the Hydratone and (although not for vocal) the Waves SSL plugs. no doubt a big part of it is familiarity though...

28th March 2006, 04:16 PM	#21
DrDeltaM Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Belgium Posts: 3,623	URS Fulltec EQ is my standard on vocals. I don't use a compressor plugin on vocal, always hardware. __________________ Mathijs Indesteege aka Mathew Lane mixing - mastering - audio restoration - plugins http://www.mathewlane.com DrMS. Focus on your stereo field. DrMS spatial processor RTAS/AU/VST plugin » Digital Audio Product Support Joystick Audio - Benelux High End Distributor http://www.joystick.be

29th March 2006, 12:21 AM	#22
dj_who Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA, USA Posts: 496	i've been happy with an oktava mk-319 going thru an RNC SN mode with 3 db reduction...... then, uad LA2A -> voxengo marquis comp -> voxengo gliss eq =

31st March 2006, 02:02 PM	#23
andrewj Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamburg (Wellingsbuettel), G-Many Posts: 1,051	Anyone tried Ozone in the Vocaltracks? I must admit I did not, but I heard this tip from an engineer! Perhaps worth a try!? __________________ Interface: MIO 2882 PreAmps: Averill 1272, Fletcher P10 Compressor: Smart C2M, EL Fatso Summing Mixer: Sumo Monitors: Klein & Hummel O300 Microphone: Audix D6, Audix i-5, Audix OM-2s, CAD E-350, Beyerdynamic M160, Beyerdynamic MC930, Peluso 22 47 Outboard FX: Lexicon PCM 81, PCM 91, Ensoniq DP4+ DAW: Intel Mac, MOTU DP 5, Apple Logic 8, Cubase 4.1, Ableton Live 7, Celemony Melodyne 3, URS & Waves Plugins

31st March 2006, 02:47 PM	#24
RoundBadge Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles ,Ca. Posts: 5,972	For clean, air top end stuff:the Sony or Massenburg when Hardware isn't an option,they seem to be some of the least destructive plug eq's.. or the URS graphics are pretty decent.. When i'm feeling too lazy to patch a real comp..IE: for quick reference mixes,I seem to go to the UA 1176 emulation more than any plugin comp for vocals..although i used the TG one last week and it sounded kinda cool for that track.

31st March 2006, 02:59 PM	#25
TBlizz Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 254	Logic Users Group are having a Metric Halo Group Buy that ends April 5th. You could demo ChannelStrip and probably get it half price before April 5th! Hope this helps! Martijn. __________________ "I'm worried that the person who thought up Muzak may be thinking up something else." Lily Tomlin

31st March 2006, 03:22 PM	#26
djbrough Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 358	EQ = URS Fulltec Comp = Ren Comp

31st March 2006, 09:51 PM	#27
weedmaker Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 154	My ITB vocal chain: UAD Fairchild or UAD 1176 or UAD Multiband (new favorite) -> Powercore Character -> UAD Pultec -> UAD Limiter -> Powercore ClassicVerb or VSS3 (I like to think that reverb is an integral part of vocal sound)

31st March 2006, 10:18 PM	#28
BrianT Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,666	UAD Pultec Pro into LA-2 for most females or 1176LN for most males. UAD Pultec has the best digital "air" I've heard. __________________ Regards, Brian T

1st April 2006, 06:19 AM	#29
T_R_S Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canuk Posts: 3,414	MDW EQ is T H E O N E __________________ === NEW Into Eternity Video Pre-Release

24th January 2008, 09:10 PM	#30
TML Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 900	Theother- Why don't you demo them for yourself instead of letting others make up your mind for you. Put in a little time and work and you'll come up with your own conclusions. Tim