BEST SETTINGS ON WAVES RENN COMPRESSOR - TO EMULATE SSL MIX BUSS COMPRESSOR?

[Rockman]

Hi guys...

Is it possible to emulate an SSL type mix buss compressor with the Waves Renn Comp?

What settings would you use? Attack / Release? (iand what about the several buttons):

Manual/ARC - Opto/Electro - Smooth/Warm

Thanks

[Rockman]

bump... anyone?

[rolo95]

Ok... i saw charles DYE use this settings on MILAR dvd...

he put the Rcompressor like this...

Manual Mode (blue button color )
Electro Mode (yellow button color )
Smooth Mode (blue button color )

Attack 3.99 Ms Release 199 Msec
Ratio 2:1

Threshold .... adjust until you have 3 to 4 dbs of compression on the loudst
parts
of your mix...

Gain 3 to 4 dbs... just to compensate for the reduction.. on the compressor...

SOund really good...
Rolo.

[picksail]

We have an SSL buss compressor. It was out for a mod for a day or so.
During which time, I still had to complete a mix.

I inserted a RenComp on the buss (in addition to some other plug-ins) and while it wasn't totally identical, is was pretty close to the original. At least in terms of the compression-not so much the character.

I believe I just attempted to emulate what I had set-up for recall on the SSL itself.

Something like: Auto Release, 10-30ms attack, Opto/Smooth. Probably 2-3db of reduction.

It worked fine. The mix wasn't compromised because of the SSL's absence.

[Rockman]

That's great info guys. Thanks very much. I'm gonna play around with the settings a bit.

I guess I never really understood how to go about setting the attack and release on a 2-buss compressor. Do you go about it the same way as setting a compressor for drums? (do you just let the transients get through?)

Anyway, thanks again.

[Methlab]

I love the Rencomp on the 2 buss, but like Picksail said, it does not add the character that the SSL compressor does.

I like a fast release on the SSL buss comp and a fast attack. Like I let through the initial transient and then let the compressor hit.

[rolo95]

well for the real thing you can use this..
Solid State Logic XLogic G Series Compressor | Sweetwater.com

Sweet!!!
ROlo.

[Rockman]

One more question guys... For rock (or pop / rock) mixes... do you guys tend to use a ratio of 2:1 ? or 1.5:1 ?

[robot gigante]

With a Smart C2, I usually compress maybe 1 db or so, not 2-3 db. I usually go 4:1 since I'm mixing into the compressor.

I haven't liked the sound of digital compression on the 2-bus, including the Waves comp, but maybe it works for other people...

[Rockman]

Wow! Really? 4:1 on the stereo buss? Interesting... Thanks for the input.

Anyone else? Your ratios for the 2-buss?

[Methlab]

usually 2:1 or 4:1 for me. I make sure the compressor never takes off more then 4db at the most.

Just mess with it and see what you like.

[Rockman]

I'm still learning about 2-buss compression.... but so far, I've only been using a ratio of 1.5:1. Could that be the reason why my mixes (pop/rock) seem to be lacking punch? Because I'm not compressing quite enough?

And for those of you who use 4:1, do you also use a lot of compression on individual tracks? (drums, etc)

Thanks for your input.

[GuitarRuss]

If you have the Sonalksis, check out Lagerfeldt's SSL emulation settings. They are really great and sound better on some material than the Waves SSL. If you are on a PC you have to copy the setting from the screenshot.

Sonalksis SV-315 G-SSL Compressor Presets Download

This was a great find and it saved me from either spending the $900 on Waves or being envious of those who had.

[Andreas G]

Originally Posted by Rockman

I'm still learning about 2-buss compression.... but so far, I've only been using a ratio of 1.5:1. Could that be the reason why my mixes (pop/rock) seem to be lacking punch?

There should be already some punch in your uncompressed mix, the RenComp can only improve that. Perhaps check again the mixbalance. An indicator might be when the gainreduction-meter reacts most on kick and/or snare... assuming you are doing some kind of Rock/Pop stuff, which of course can differ at other music-genres.

Good luck, Andreas

[beachhunt]

Originally Posted by picksail

I believe I just attempted to emulate what I had set-up for recall on the SSL itself.

Something like: Auto Release, 10-30ms attack, Opto/Smooth. Probably 2-3db of reduction.

When someone asks for SSL mix bus settings, that right there is usually the answer.

Waves' auto-release always tends to be faster than I want, but the above would be my first guess at "how to make the RComp sound like the SSL bus comp".

All of the above settings but in Electro mode.

[thermos]

Originally Posted by beachhunt

When someone asks for SSL mix bus settings, that right there is usually the answer.


Waves' auto-release always tends to be faster than I want, but the above would be my first guess at "how to make the RComp sound like the SSL bus comp".

I think the electro setting would be more fitting, though. Opto is too thick to sound like an ssl.

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by Rockman

Wow! Really? 4:1 on the stereo buss? Interesting... Thanks for the input.

Anyone else? Your ratios for the 2-buss?

Remember though, that's using hardware. IMHO hardware and software are two different sounds and therefore you cannot do the same things with software than you can with hardware... like compress hard.

Originally Posted by Rockman

I'm still learning about 2-buss compression.... but so far, I've only been using a ratio of 1.5:1. Could that be the reason why my mixes (pop/rock) seem to be lacking punch? Because I'm not compressing quite enough?

If you want more punch in your mix, maybe take the plugin OFF the 2-bus. I would venture to say that you might get more punch without it.

Try this: match the levels so that the compressed and uncompressed signals are as close to the same as you can get them, and compare the two when you take the plugin in and out of bypass. What do you hear? Now try changing the attack/release/ratio/amount of compression and continue to compare it with the uncompressed signal as you do so. If you can't get an improvement no matter the setting, the best setting is bypass (no worries, you're not doing anything wrong if that's the case). If you find a setting that improves the sound, great!

And to answer your question about compressing individual tracks and the 2-bus- it depends. Use your ears as to what sounds best, and always compare with matched levels. IMHO the biggest secret to punch in your mix is the arrangement and the quality of the tracks you are mixing.

For an alternate view on compression, try reading some of Bruce Swedien's posts in the guest moderator archives.

[Rockman]

Thanks for the advice Robot. Umm.. Yea, I have tried bypassing the plug altogether... and as I expected, I lost that "glue" that made the mix gel. Also, to the best of my knowledge, some of the mix engineers whose work I respect the most (Clearmountain, CLA, etc) always seem to use compression on their master buss... (especially for pop / rock.. which is mostly what I do)

And yes, I agree that the hardware and plugs sound quite different, and that you can push the hardware compressors harder.

Wish I could afford an Alan Smart C1 or C2 ...

[Methlab]

Why? You dont need an Alan Smart C2, you (not just you..a lot of us) need to work on mixing.

There is no reason to buy a C2 or anything else. It will not make your mixes punch better if you can't mix that way to begin with.

[Absolute]

I love Rencomp

But I have to disagree that Waves SSL has more character.

In fact I dont even think its close. If you want character use the rencomp--Its that it has too much character that makes rencomp not work as well as SSL


if you want an awesome Mxbus comp use the SSL. Its far more transparent in **comparision. No one would call it transparent in its own right--just in comparision to rencomp

You have to watch out with fast attack on the mixbus with rencomp. SSL is much smoother with less pumping when using fast attacks.

The best way to use it is to automate the release throughout the song. I feel it works much better with slower attacks

I also disagree with "you cannot do the same things with software than you can with hardware... like compress hard.". The very fact that software can "look ahead" defeats that argument. You can compress harder with software because of this. Try compressing hard on a Joemeek and you'll be swiming in a pumping mess. So although hardware may sound better on many things..its not because you can compress harder with it