stereo compressors w/ side chains

[electric]

what are good stereo compressors with side chains? the genre of music i would be most interested in using for would be hip hop. (for helping make drum sub mixes really thump) the stuff that comes to mind are:

smart c2
api stereo comp
crane song stc8
crane song trakker (need 2 units)

does ssl make a stand-alone unit too? (not sure)
what are people using in hip hop field for this? any of the above?ssl stereo comps? just wondering.

are any of these units useful for tracking individual instruments/vocalists? as far as versatility the 2 trakkers seems like the best bet but i dont know how well it works on the stereo mix.

i dont think distressors have side chains, but how well do stereo distressors work on stereo drum sub mixes?

best regards,
electric

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by electric
what are good stereo compressors with side chains? the genre of music i would be most interested in using for would be hip hop. (for helping make drum sub mixes really thump) the stuff that comes to mind are:

smart c2
api stereo comp
crane song stc8
crane song trakker (need 2 units)

does ssl make a stand-alone unit too? (not sure)
what are people using in hip hop field for this? any of the above?ssl stereo comps? just wondering.

are any of these units useful for tracking individual instruments/vocalists? as far as versatility the 2 trakkers seems like the best bet but i dont know how well it works on the stereo mix.

i dont think distressors have side chains, but how well do stereo distressors work on stereo drum sub mixes?

best regards,
electric

Of the ones you mentioned my favorites are the C2 and the SSLFX buss compressor(I own both and love both for this). Most of the times though one is on the individual instruments(sometimes C2) and the other is working the drumsub(SSL FX).

In the past I've also liked the Neve33609 and Tubetech LCA2B. For live stuff the they all work well(the Chandler TG1 works well also). I've been wanting to try the API.

I create my own sidechains with parallels and mults.

If you work the Distressors right they can work well as a drumsub comp.

[Fletcher]

I don't remember if the Smart Research or the API do or don't... if I remember, I'll look on Monday when I get back to the office.

Both the STC-8 and the Trakkers have side chain capability.

[electric]

good info guys,

thrill- how are you using mults to create your sidechains? can you please explain?

the smart c2 sounds pretty damn cool. especially since its dual mono.

regards,
electric

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by electric
good info guys,

thrill- how are you using mults to create your sidechains? can you please explain?

the smart c2 sounds pretty damn cool. especially since its dual mono.

regards,
electric

Do a search if you can on mults and parallels.

Basically my philosophy is two fold:

1) I break down the original track to its purest envelope. Attack,Decay,sustain,release with its corresponding freq changes. I split the signal on different faders with different processors. And then i mix it back together, either with the original or by itself.

2) I like the processors to work at what they do best. I prefer to use 2 or 3 processors doing its thing, than one processor having to do everything.

[doug_hti]

The Smart C2 Sidechaines