Komit compressor

[wirerecording]

Got a pair of the Burgin McDaniel Komit compressors racked in my api. First off, I replaced my api 525's and am in no hurry to make more room to put the 525's back in (although i will). Nice simple operation......3 knobs, 1 three position att/release switch. knob 1= compression/threshold, knob 2= output gain, knob 3= limit (post gain). I've now used it on 5 mixes and LOVE IT. the simple controls make it very easy to set then fine tune. Tonally it is smooth and warm but not intensely colored. I have found that the att/release switch is the key element to the coloration. Basically fast is quite quick and really grabs peaks and can be the most obvious sounding of the of the modes. you can really smooth out those sharp spikes on drums/perc/vocals. the slow mode creates wonderful sustain, and tends to be the most invisible when used modestly. It's the middle mode that seem almost impossible to screw up with. Which ever mode fits the program best, what happens is what i think of as true leveling. That damn accordian where a couple of notes disapear? no problem, got a bass that swells on some notes and drops on others...smooth it out. The Komit does have a tone, but not the harsh agressive tones of many compressors, it primarily just evens out signals. The tone it does give goes back to that word again..smooth. Many compressors give tone, but more and more I'm looking for a fairly clean transparent level control, not heavy distortion. While the Komit has the ability to strongly color the sound when used very aggressively, where it is amazing is straight up control and leveling of a signal. I have La2a/la3a/1176/smart c2/neve 2264/daking/distressor/dbx 160-162-160xt-165/api 525/Tube tech CL1a/Altec 436c/RNC/A&D expresslimiter, and the Komit is getting used as much as any of them now. If you are looking for a comparision, maybe the Tube Tech CL-1A, but without the input overload danger. For me this is the most useful vs cost compressor I've heard since the distressor or RNC.

For anyone wondering I have worked with the designers testing this, so it doesn't suprise me that i like it so much, but these Komits were not free, i was very glad to pay their price for these units. I run a commercial studio doing music (bands/artists) only and have bought then sold a number of overpriced compressors cause they weren't useful. The Komits have earned their place in my rack.

Stuart Sullivan
Wire Recording
Austin Tx

[dj_who]

nice, thumbsup

i'm hoping to jump into the lunchbox thing soon.


here is the site for anyone too lazy to google it.

Burgin McDaniel Design

[ProducerBoy]

How would you describe the color?

[lovetone]

Anyone else heard these yet?

[emkay]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

How would you describe the color?

Kind of looks like a red logo on a light tan finish with black panpots.
So I guess it could be described as a little "tannish" with touches of black and red.

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by emkay

Kind of looks like a red logo on a light tan finish with black panpots.
So I guess it could be described as a little "tannish" with touches of black and red.

Taninish? Hmmm, I've been needing some tannish! Then again, I've already got some black, and I've got plenty of red. Do you think the Komit may be too much red color? I mean... will the red stack well?

[qubi]

what kind of comp is this?? I think i remember reading somewhere that it ISN't OPTO, so is it FET? is the 1776 name a hint at at a 1176 clone?? It looks cool but the info on it seems pretty vague.. i'd just like to know where it sits in the comp world spectrum.. you know, 1176, la2a, 1968, neve, fairchaild, distressor, vari-mu etc etc. is it better for tracking or mixing or 2 buss?? not trying to pigeon hole it or call it a clone, but i'd like to know what kind of vibe it has. Personally i'm considering getting a couple of "actions", already have an 1176, 1968, and a langivin DVC (opto). so is this something different/complementary/redundant?

unfortunately i can't test these (or anything else for that matter) from where i live, so any informed comments are highly welcomed.. thanks

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by qubi

what kind of comp is this?? I think i remember reading somewhere that it ISN't OPTO, so is it FET? is the 1776 name a hint at at a 1176 clone?? It looks cool but the info on it seems pretty vague.. i'd just like to know where it sits in the comp world spectrum.. you know, 1176, la2a, 1968, neve, fairchaild, distressor, vari-mu etc etc. is it better for tracking or mixing or 2 buss?? not trying to pigeon hole it or call it a clone, but i'd like to know what kind of vibe it has. Personally i'm considering getting a couple of "actions", already have an 1176, 1968, and a langivin DVC (opto). so is this something different/complementary/redundant?

+1

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by wirerecording

Got a pair of the Burgin McDaniel Komit compressors racked in my api.

I always wondered what a compressor made by Burger King and McDonalds for Kermit the Frog would sound like.

Oops. Read it wrong. Sorry.

Looks like a great piece at an awesome price point. Nice.

[Gladstone]

Originally Posted by Kenny Gioia

I always wondered what a compressor made by Burger King and McDonalds for Kermit the Frog would sound like.

[The MPCist]

Originally Posted by Kenny Gioia

I always wondered what a compressor made by Burger King and McDonalds for Kermit the Frog would sound like.

Oops. Read it wrong. Sorry.

Looks like a great piece at an awesome price point. Nice.

HAHAHA! I'm glad I had my cup of coffee on the table instead of drinking it!

[BurginMcDaniel]

Hey Folks, Kevin Burgin here. We don't like to compare because sound is so subjective. The Komit is based around THATCorp VCA. There is much to be learned from their website if you are technically inclined. The 2181LA has been used by just about everyone, but they all sound different. Its like buying a car (engine) and personally hot rodding it. Anyway, feel free to ask us questions direct as we are very busy (the three of us!) but we will always reply untill we sell out and turn into corporate wolves. If you are in the NEW YORK AREA we can have one demo'd at your door! (the central texas area too!)
Thanks! Kevin@burginmcdaniel.com

[futur2]

Originally Posted by BurginMcDaniel

Hey Folks, Kevin Burgin here. We don't like to compare because sound is so subjective. The Komit is based around THATCorp VCA. There is much to be learned from their website if you are technically inclined. The 2181LA has been used by just about everyone, but they all sound different. Its like buying a car (engine) and personally hot rodding it. Anyway, feel free to ask us questions direct as we are very busy (the three of us!) but we will always reply untill we sell out and turn into corporate wolves. If you are in the NEW YORK AREA we can have one demo'd at your door! (the central texas area too!)
Thanks! Kevin@burginmcdaniel.com

hi kevin, i appreciate your concerns but i think it really would be a good idea to give the community more ideas on which applications and sources the komit shines and how it sounds, what it's colors or lack of are. i also want to know how it works on the mixbus? i understand that it's a versatile piece but some more concrete descriptions of it's capabilities and sounds must be possible even if it's like dancing bout architecture. also sound files would be great! i think there are a lot of 500 series aficionados keen on that info. and it's not very practical for lot of us (euroslutz e.g.) to call you and take even more of your valuable time

[loujudson]

Originally Posted by Kenny Gioia

I always wondered what a compressor made by Burger King and McDonalds for Kermit the Frog would sound like.

Oops. Read it wrong. Sorry.

Looks like a great piece at an awesome price point. Nice.

YOU read it wrong? I thought it said Vomit. You guys change that name quick!

L

[jammate]

I bought a pair of komits a few weeks ago and so far I am very impressed. They are very simple by design which made me very curious, however after using them on everything from a small roots/blues group to a piano and mezzo-soprano duo to a full orchestra I am thrilled. As many of you know the "arts community" can be very tough on compressed recordings however all of my clients have been very complementary. The komit does not crush the life out of the program and is very kind to the top end. Even though you can't hear it compressing (used in moderation) after extensive testing comparing peak dynamics it is clearly working. I look forward to using them in tracking sessions, in particular in a vocal chain with other compressors. The only thing I was not a fan of is the limiter feature. It is not for me but some of you may like the option of "low fi" crushing. Overall I am a fan.

Paul Hammock

Jammates Records / Hammock Audio Services

[Glimpse]

Any more reviews on this? Really keen to hear a bit more about it on vocals...

[Chris]

Originally Posted by jammate

I bought a pair of komits a few weeks ago and so far I am very impressed. They are very simple by design which made me very curious, however after using them on everything from a small roots/blues group to a piano and mezzo-soprano duo to a full orchestra I am thrilled. As many of you know the "arts community" can be very tough on compressed recordings however all of my clients have been very complementary. The komit does not crush the life out of the program and is very kind to the top end. Even though you can't hear it compressing (used in moderation) after extensive testing comparing peak dynamics it is clearly working. I look forward to using them in tracking sessions, in particular in a vocal chain with other compressors. The only thing I was not a fan of is the limiter feature. It is not for me but some of you may like the option of "low fi" crushing. Overall I am a fan.

Paul Hammock

Jammates Records / Hammock Audio Services

I actually have been using the limiter the most during tracking. On snare it sounds great (I get a lot of bands that are inconsistent in their drum playing).

[Fletcher]

I used it on vocals the other day and quite enjoyed the experience. If you're looking for a compressor that has "an opinion" then flick the switch towards the upside down 8th note [fast attack] or towards the "rest" [long release]... or, if you're like me leave it in the middle and get a vocal with far less dynamic range that sounds just like the vocal that was coming back from the recorder.

The VERY cool part is that the limiter is AFTER the gain make up and VERY clear sounding [until you use too much of it in which case it starts to take on an almost "Chandler-esque" vibe]... and the limiter can just be set for the amount of headroom you would like to have on your subsequent output. The nomenclature on the limiter is in "headroom over +4" so if your recorder is set for 18db<0dbfs just leave the switch on the setting with the red silk screen and move on with your day.

A VERY handy device, a very palpable lack of an opinion unless you dial in an opinion [which may or may not be appropriate for the music you're doing].

I have a very strong feeling that this little puppy will be joining the Mercenary family much sooner than later!!

Peace.

[Glimpse]

Hi Fletcher

Thanks so much for your comments- great to hear your positive review. I'm very interested in this comp, sounds just like what I'm looking for, something that doesn't interfere sonically but keeps the vocal under control. Just waiting to hear back from them about the costs of shipping to the UK...

[wannaberocker]

Originally Posted by Kenny Gioia

I always wondered what a compressor made by Burger King and McDonalds for Kermit the Frog would sound like.

My Burger King McDonalds Kermit is my go-to scratch guitar track distortion pedal....

[pan60]

just got one for review, looking forward to getting it in the rack!

[leftbrain]

Question for all of you he have one of these, does your Komit's main chip board seem a little loose in relation to it's connection to the front plate of the module??? It seems there is nothing really attaching it to the front plate outside of the compressor's knobs... is that normal for a 500 series module??? I hope so, because this thing is amazing.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by leftbrain

Question for all of you he have one of these, does your Komit's main chip board seem a little loose in relation to it's connection to the front plate of the module??? It seems there is nothing really attaching it to the front plate outside of the compressor's knobs... is that normal for a 500 series module??? I hope so, because this thing is amazing.

most units are not assembled in this style.
typically their is a plate attached to the face plate and the board would be attached to this plate.
i will reserve the wright to chat much more about this compressor, until i have finished my review: )~

[NathanEldred]

How is your review going Pan?

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

How is your review going Pan?

so far so good, still got a ways to go.
still trading emails and working to get the information i want, i take me a bit of time, but i am working on it.

[tengu]

How do these things sound on bus duties?

Anyone using them for that?

[Fletcher]

Mono busses and busses within the mix they're fine... wouldn't use them for 2 buss duty as I'm not convinced they lock well enough for that job.

I think they're one of the best tools going for things like guitars and often vocals... but not every unit can do all things great... so while I have 4x Komit's in my control room and they get used on every project and while they'll sometimes get used on busses within a mix they just don't get used across the whole mix [I have other stuff for that].

As always, YMMV.

[Chris]

Just tried it the other day on a mono room mic for drums, crushed them down with the limiting. Sounded fantastic.