Are we close to getting plugin compressors that sound like real ones?

[John Suitcase]

Originally Posted by emilision

And the fact that the knobs are directly responsive (no lag/latency in selecting/moving), continuously variable in the case of pure analog stuff (for that exact spot) and don't jump around values erratically (well, unless they've gone dodgy)...those three make a big difference IMO...even more so with synths...

You know what I hate? I hate how Reaper pushes the fader up to 0 when I click on it in just the wrong spot. I mix with lots of headroom, and this tends to make that track uncomfortably loud, instantly.

Anyone know how to kill that behavior? I looked in the manual, but couldn't find it (I'm sure it's there somewhere!)

[sbackdoor]

SSL Duende buscompressor is one of the best I've ever heard in a plugin.

[Melgueil]

I tend to be very careful and use these tools lightly - so they work for me. Really, really pushing it - perhaps less so.

But in the end - the final judgement is... does it sound good ? All the rest is academic. We're talking about closely emulating hardware devices that were inherently imperfect to begin with.

Cdlt

[PapaSon]

One aspect to bear in mind is how differently software needs to be treated than hardware to get similar sounding results. Since software compressors are "lazy", for intense compression jobs, splitting the job between two software compressors works much better.

[emilision]

Originally Posted by John Suitcase

You know what I hate? I hate how Reaper pushes the fader up to 0 when I click on it in just the wrong spot. I mix with lots of headroom, and this tends to make that track uncomfortably loud, instantly.

Anyone know how to kill that behavior? I looked in the manual, but couldn't find it (I'm sure it's there somewhere!)

Dunno man...similar stuff happens in Logic. Only way I can get an accurate spot (and without all the jumpy stuff) is with the "assignable knob" on the Euphonix MC Transport...turns the hi-res jog-wheel into a hi-res controller...best soft-knob I've ever used...would buy one just for that, seriously.

[phas3d]

Originally Posted by emilision

Dunno man...similar stuff happens in Logic.

Should only go to 0 dB if you press Alt while clicking the fader.

[emilision]

Originally Posted by phas3d

Should only go to 0 dB if you press Alt while clicking the fader.

...yes of course...actually to be fair the mixer faders in Logic are very mouse friendly...meant in general, values can get a bit erratic and jump around a bit when you're dragging them or clicking on them; more so knobs and third party plugs though...

[mjtripper]

I'm very impressed with the glue and softube/summit tla-100a. I have no idea how they compare to hardware but I don't really care either as the plugins sound great.