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

[John Suitcase]

Technically, a software-based compressor should be much better than is possible in the 'real world.' Of course, there is the non-perfect interaction of a hardware compressor that gives it its life, color, etc. I think that software plug designers are geting better and better at capturing the timbre and action of those compressors that we like.

As far as good ones, I'm not much of an expert, but I really like the newest SKNote Strip Bus, which is a console emu plug, with 4 great compressors on the amaster buss. The 1176 emu is great on snare, etc, the LA2A awesome on bass guitar, vox, etc. They seem to have some of the snap and tone that is often missing from plugs, to my ear. The SSL4k is nice on drum buss, or mixbuss, if you set it right, it can add a lot of snap to the attack of drums.

[wwittman]

Originally Posted by jariya

So, are we “almost there” with compressors?

No

[scanner]

Originally Posted by jariya

So, are we “almost there” with compressors?

Yes

[electro]

You want to look at the UAD Fatso, Neve 33609 and newer 1176 Collection which model transformers.

[dark blue man]

Originally Posted by wwittman

No

Snappy and sharp answer. Nothing wrong with that, but what, in your opinion, do you think software is lacking?

Just out of interest.

[jwh1192]

Nothing wrong with that, but what, in your opinion, do you think software is lacking?

may i try to answer this one ... imperfections that add Mojo / Vibe / Color / Distortions / Electricity is a wonderful thing when you push it a little ... when you push a Plugin it does not react the same ..

mr. wittman, sorry for jumping in ... so nice to see you still hanging around here ...

i think i may have to put on some Joan Osbourne and listen to some real MOFO ...

cheers

john

[edva]

The Glue and the AlexB Nebula comps are very, very good, IMHO.

[sbackdoor]

Waves API 2500 is totally convincing. Waves SSL too. PSP Oldtimer also.

[Kindred]

I reckon they are pretty close tbh

I still have my Phoenix but sold my other outboard after hearing some recent software gear. eg - that Softube Summit Audio channel strip does an almost identical job to my Culture Vulture when you turn up the saturation - rounds off sharp highs beautifully

[ryst]

Originally Posted by jariya

So, are we “almost there” with compressors?

Maybe.

[phas3d]

The new UAD2 1176 bundle is really good. I've worked several times with the original and they're really close. But the point shouldn't be how well plug-in comps emulate really well analog counterparts. It should be how good do they sound. I honestly feel that the latest ones sound good. But that just my opinion anyway. Respect others.

[Roberto Alvarez]

Originally Posted by jwh1192

may i try to answer this one ... imperfections that add Mojo / Vibe / Color / Distortions / Electricity is a wonderful thing when you push it a little ... when you push a Plugin it does not react the same ..

Well put. You can abuse analog gears and in most cases they still produce musically beautiful sounds.

[dankin]

UBK1 and Oldtimer get pretty vibey IMO. Neither are trying to emulate specific hardware but both are great compressors. The new UA 1176's are amazing as well. I like The Glue as well although I find it to be more on the clean side. It's still really good. I could mix with just those 3 and still be really happy.

[John T]

I like the UAD 1176 & 33609. I feel that there are some very good plugs that may react or sound somewhat different than the original hardware. However, that just means that they are compressors with their own character.

[MarkyGoldstein]

No - we are not yet close. Especially 3d wise.

[jariya]

Thanks guys! So, the reactions range from No, getting there but still a ways to go, and close enough.

I wonder where we'll be in 10-15 years.

[chymer]

I compared an original 1176 blue stripe to the Uad version and it's super close. Compressing super hard it held up. Uad have nailed these.

[Bassmankr]

Software plugs have gotten surgical EQ right, however the consensus on broadband mojo EQ is that the plugs are not there yet with many opinions I respect saying not close. The biggest problem with that is copying the behavoir of inductuctors as they saturate and ring.

DSP based plugs have the advantage of all that extra processing power used just on that plug and in quite a few cases the better DSP based plugs end up eating all that available DSP power resulting with hardly any instances of them. It still works out better ecomonically than buying multiple real high end units but not better than multiple low end gold units (cost of DSP card, cost of DSP software plug divided by instances). It certainly kills that 100's of instances argument we hear in every digital vs. analog thread.

When comparing a real unit to an emulation you need to compare at many settings which I think isn't happening. Digital is good at taking a single snapshot and copying it. Something as dynamic as compressors with it's huge amount of variables and many settings and you see where I'm going. To my ears they just sound / behave different. I'm not getting rid of my hardware compressors. I don't have a huge collection of high end outboard EQ as others do here to make comparisons with but those that do I don't see selling off their gear either.

It's unfortunate slapping a picture / GUI of a vintage unit on a emulation plug sells better than a plug doing something new and creative unto itself. It would be nice if developers efforts in that direction were rewarded better and computer tools were expanded in new directions.

History has showed us that plastic allowed the general public to afford items that if were made from their original materials the consumer would not be able to buy. While a plastic table may in fact be better in many ways than a table made from wood it just isn't the SAME thing. Plugs are the new "plastic".

[shelterr]

For what it's worth, I own the hardware Vertigo VSC2 and the plugin does share many qualities of the real thing. The make up gain reacts in a similar way and the action of the compressor is relatively close. However, the more extreme the setting on the plugin, the less similar to the hw it becomes. You can do a ridiculous amount of compression with the real unit and it is very transparent and smooth, whereas the plugin version gets "gritty" pretty quick. Sometimes the grit is cool. But the plugins fidelity only holds up for up about 2db of compression (max) whereas you can compress as much as you like with the hardware and the fidelity remains constant, just more compression applied.

If you find yourself loving the plugin, the hardware is probably right up your alley. It's tracking/mixing/mastering applications are extremely impressive.

[electro]

Originally Posted by chymer

I compared an original 1176 blue stripe to the Uad version and it's super close. Compressing super hard it held up. Uad have nailed these.

UA has reclaimed its title as the ITB Compressor solution.

[jwh1192]

the UAD sounds promising ... i am waiting for Models of these units ..

atomic squeeze box / NY2A ...

cheers

john

[Macaroni]

Here are some questions to ask...

Given all other factors as equal, would you rather mix with 1 or 2 or 3 hardware comps or with unlimited comps from UA or similar other high end plugs? Which mix will be better for you?

There have been so many blind shoot outs and comparisons and the top pros had a hard time distinguishing the plugs from hardware, so those that say plugs are not even close are just blowing smoke out their asses because they're attached to some piece of metal they have. Their claims have little basis in reality. No one really gives a shit anymore, because the plugins are so good it's a moot point.

And are one or two tracks with a hardware comp going to make an overall mix sound "better" or noticeably different - not likely.

[gizeh12]

So what are the current top percentile compressor plugins?

Glue,PSP,Waves (SSL API) are adequate but not really next level/plateau breaking plugins.
What i have heard till now is Elysia & DMG. Although i dont always like the responsiveness of Elysia, the overall sound is great.

[jwh1192]

to each his own opinion .. that what makes this world so interesting / how boring it would be if we did not have differing opinions ..

i personally have had better results with hardware .. BUT

i need to try out the UAD card plugs ... before they discontinued the TDM plugins those were the ones i thought worked best for mixing ITB ... the LA2A was very very nice ... 1176 as well ...

cheers ...

john

PS - i do like the Glue and PSP stuff as well .. thank sfor mentioning these

[Lilliemarck]

I never really cared for if the plugins sound like their hardware counterpart as long as I think it sounds nice and does what it supposed to and what I want it to do.

I think the hardware vs software thing is interesting but also kind of boring. You can never go wrong with software getting better and better. But if the end result sounds nice then who cares if that 1176 software clone doesn't sound like its hardware original.

But I do understand those of you who have been using hardware for a long long time finding the software lacking in some regards. But I think that software doesn't mean that things will sound worse, it will sound just as good albeit different.

[electro]

Originally Posted by Lilliemarck

I think the hardware vs software thing is interesting but also kind of boring.

Nope. Hardware is the standard by which plugins are (and should) be measured.

The vast majority of classic records from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s were mixed via hardware Eq, Compresson and Analog tape.

[mattiasnyc]

Originally Posted by jariya

Thanks guys! So, the reactions range from No, getting there but still a ways to go, and close enough.

I wonder where we'll be in 10-15 years.

I bet you most people here haven't done a proper double blind test and therefore don't know what they're talking about. Sounds harsh but I think it's true.

At the end of the day the real test is if you can distinguish a digital emulation from a hardware version. I did a double-blind test with the UAD 33609 when it came out using my hardware 33609. I had musicians and engineers listen to the two and they couldn't consistently pick out which was which.

At that point it doesn't matter if it's an exact replica of a particular hardware unit, only if one likes the sound.

I think the answer is "yes".

[passmore]

Softube has some amazing comps
UAD 33609 is great and have three 33609's

[Broken]

If you can't do a great mix with digital compressors then.....