Brainworx Vertigo plugin compressor is.....

[mirrorboy]

THE best compressor plugin I have ever heard.

(And this is including all of the comps on the UAD2 platform. I'm an unashamed, self-professed UAD fanboy FYI.)

That is all.

--

Well, not really......

Drum Bus: Amazing
Piano: Amazing
Acoustic Guitar: Amazing
Mix Bus: I use a hardware SSL G Comp so didn't try that
etc, etc, etc

--

Ironically, last week I was so stoked on UAD2's Neve 33609 that I posted a thread about it. (that thread and this thread are the only two, "Wow...this is the best!!" threads I've ever posted and they happen to be a week apart! haha)

It should be noted that I've tried most every plugin comp on the market, except for UBK-1, which I'm very much looking foward to demoing.

After I posted that thread about the UAD2 Neve 33609 I actually ended up NOT buying it because of how good the Vertigo is. I know they're two different animals but a truly amazing plugin comp that does sound like hardware (or at the very least sounds more like hardware than any other plugin comp I've ever used) can't be passed up!

I really think this Vertigo plug is a huge step in the right direction for these very difficult, non-linear, harmonically-enriched emulations. And I feel like we've been waiting a while for a big step such as this. Plugin EQs, Delays, Reverbs....those are a different story. It's the compressors/limiters that seem most difficult for these great programmers to truly nail. And I'm not saying there's not good ones already out there.....I just strongly feel this one is in a whole new league!!!

Bravo Dirk and the whole team at Brainworx!


Scott

P.S. Dirk, if you happen to read this, are there any plans for the Vertigo to be available on the UAD2 platform? Thanks.

[Shaman]

It´s very good.
With tools like these and the mdw eq
nowadays I´m tracking flat and process later - fun !

[mirrorboy]

Originally Posted by Shaman

It´s very good.
With tools like these and the mdw eq
nowadays I´m tracking flat and process later - fun !

For sure!!

What's the MDW EQ??

Scott

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by mirrorboy

What's the MDW EQ??

Massenburg Design Works

If you think the Vertigo plug-in is cool... the hardware may very well cause you a wardrobe change... its THAT amazing!!!

[buddachile]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

If you think the Vertigo plug-in is cool... the hardware may very well cause you a wardrobe change... its THAT amazing!!!

... as in you'll be wearing a loin cloth 'cause that's all you'll be able to afford after you've soiled yourself... Just kidding.

I've heard the Vertigo plug-in in action and have to agree with fellow angelino and UAD fanboy mirrorboy that it just kills. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to have the hardware. Much like I can only imagine how awesome having the hardware Massive Passive would be. But I'll just have to do with the plugins... which is still GREAT.

[mirrorboy]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Massenburg Design Works

If you think the Vertigo plug-in is cool... the hardware may very well cause you a wardrobe change... its THAT amazing!!!

haha...

I have no doubt about that!!!

Scott

[mirrorboy]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Massenburg Design Works

If you think the Vertigo plug-in is cool... the hardware may very well cause you a wardrobe change... its THAT amazing!!!

Hey Fletcher-

I have a question for you.

Let's say I get the real hardware Vertigo (which I'm not gonna do now...but am seriously considering it down the line), how would you advise I use it in conjuction with my SSL G Bus Compressor.

Currently, my sub groups go to my Dangerous summing box and the stereo sum out goes into the SSL. Then back to PT....nothin' unusual.

If I had both, the SSL and the Vertigo, would you suggest to use them in Serial.....if so, which would you use first? There both VCA comps, right? Too similar to use in Serial?

OR, would you use the Vertigo for the mix bus and the SSL for something else (although my particular SSL G Comp seems best suited (and not very versatile) for the mix bus).

Would you then just leave the chain as is and use the Vertigo as the Drum sub group compressor, rather than using the two in serial on the mix bus (1-2dB of GR on one....the same on the next)?


Hope that made sense....

Thanks man,

Scott

P.S. Just an FYI- athough I've only used one another mix bus comp in my studio (API 2500) (used plenty in other studios)....I really, REALLY love what my SSL does to the mix bus. The "glue".

[Fletcher]

Hey Scott- I'm not a big fan of chaining buss compressors... but in this crazy mixed up world of going for the biggest block of solid color / getting music to be louder than a beer commercial -- it might not be the worst idea going [in fact, I may start trying it on a project or two... but I digress].

If it were my work, I would probably designate the SSL for the drum buss and the VSC-2 for 2 buss duty... the SSL being rather forward in the mids, the VSC-2 being exceptionally open sounding [no lack of "glue" - just a clearer top and thundering bottom]... I generally prefer very "full range" and "open sounding" in 2 buss applications [one of the main reasons I prefer the Dramstic Audio "Obsidian" in any application where the SSL might usually go... but again, I digress].

As you're in the US - if want to check out a VSC-2, I can certainly arrange that... if that arrangement is made I would love to hear how you used it... what suited your style of working, what applications best complimented your sense of aesthetic.

Peace

[mirrorboy]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Hey Scott- I'm not a big fan of chaining buss compressors... but in this crazy mixed up world of going for the biggest block of solid color / getting music to be louder than a beer commercial -- it might not be the worst idea going [in fact, I may start trying it on a project or two... but I digress].

If it were my work, I would probably designate the SSL for the drum buss and the VSC-2 for 2 buss duty... the SSL being rather forward in the mids, the VSC-2 being exceptionally open sounding [no lack of "glue" - just a clearer top and thundering bottom]... I generally prefer very "full range" and "open sounding" in 2 buss applications [one of the main reasons I prefer the Dramstic Audio "Obsidian" in any application where the SSL might usually go... but again, I digress].

As you're in the US - if want to check out a VSC-2, I can certainly arrange that... if that arrangement is made I would love to hear how you used it... what suited your style of working, what applications best complimented your sense of aesthetic.

Peace

Thanks Fletcher.

I appreciate the speedy reply and advice.

I am in the US but leaving for NY in two weeks for Quad....

I'll hit u up when I'm back...also, If Quad doen't have one there I'll see if I can talk the record company into getting one (I got them to get a Tube Tech last time! :-) )

Cheers man,

Scott

[Jeezo]

Scott , the big advantage of the vertigo is its dual mono comp ....so until now i was using the fairchild( and still until i buy the vertigo but i'm holding until i see what's going on with the association ,brainworx , plugin alliane ect ...) on voices from hook , and intruments buses as well as effects to really master the dynamic on non syymetrical material ...and it rules on those , i would keep the g comp as it respects a mix like no other comp ...(ssl duende for me no luky as you boy ! ...also i'm thinkg about getting an uad just to check those baby

[mirrorboy]

Originally Posted by Jeezo

Scott , the big advantage of the vertigo is its dual mono comp ....so until now i was using the fairchild( and still until i buy the vertigo but i'm holding until i see what's going on with the association ,brainworx , plugin alliane ect ...) on voices from hook , and intruments buses as well as effects to really master the dynamic on non syymetrical material ...and it rules on those , i would keep the g comp as it respects a mix like no other comp ...(ssl duende for me no luky as you boy ! ...also i'm thinkg about getting an uad just to check those baby

That is good news. At first read I actually thought you were saying you owned both a Fairchid AND a Vertigo!!! haha

But yeah- if you're talking about the Vertigo software, yeah the multiple mono is great...used it on the vox bus for the session I just finished. And it's actually really easy for me to use because it's basically exactly the same (as far as all the virtual knobs, what they do, and how much they do it) as my SSL hardware. Also, when I make slight movements on the attack/release- it sounds exactly how I'd think it would sound based on the SSL. Only "more so." Very impressive.

Sounds to me like the Vertigo is a suped up SSL bus comp maybe?? Whatever the hell that thing is....software-wise...best compressor plug I've ever heard to date.....and not by inches.


Cheers man,

Scott

P.S. And get yourself a mix bus comp if you can...best investment in my hybrid studio!!!

P.P.S. And def. for the UAD2. That, too, was one of the best investments in my studio.

P.P.S. The Aphex Aurel Exciter 204 w. Optical big bottom.....that one is not included on the 'one of the best investments' in my studio list. In fact, I've never used it. Not once. I've tried to use it (at first....so I at least felt like I didn't just throw money in the trash), but to this day....it has never once been used on a single thing. Notta one. :-/

[Graal]

The VSC 2 is awesome!

[backplay]

After working extensively with VSC-2 for a few weeks now, i must say i am very impressed!

Half way true mixing a 12 song experimental jazz cd, i decided to give this compressor a try.

As a 2-buss compressor i was using "The Glue", which sounded very good but did take away some of the stereo image.
So i tried replacing The Glue with VSC-2. Instant gratification... Really!
In multi-mono mode the track came back to life. Stereo image and 3D was much better.
There was more separation between the instruments and at the same time everything glued nicely together.

Other compressors i was using on instruments and drums where Pro-C, DMG Compassion, PSP Oldtimer and Magnetic.

On alt sax I put the Pro-C at first. Tried the VSC-2, but that sounded worse so kept Pro-C.
On tenor sax i did replace Pro-C with VSC-2, sounded much warmer.
Piano, most of the time i replaced DMG compassion with VSC-2.
On drums the VSC-2 was the best of all the compressors i tried, kept everything open with a lot of punch.
On double bass: Marvelous!!!

I could make thing "rounder" if i inserted Ferric TDS before VSC-2. A beautiful combination!

The thing with this compressor for me is that if you can tame it, you can do a lot of compression without all the artifacts.
And on the flip side, with a little bit of compression you can also grab the sound without losing to much dynamics. So it works both ways.

It has a special sound for me.
So for music that has to sound cristal clear, i think i would only use it on the 2-buss, and use more transparent compressors on instruments.

VSC-2

[skira]

FYI, here's a review & video comparison between the $331 Brainworx compressor and a $6,000 Vertigo VSC-2:

Review: Review: Vertigo VSC-2 Quad Discrete VCA Compressor Plugin from Brainworx : SonicScoop – Creative, Technical & Business Connections For NYC’s Music & Sound Community

Video: Vertigo VSC-2 Plug-in vs Physical Unit on Vimeo

[Apollo Soul]

Originally Posted by backplay

As a 2-buss compressor i was using "The Glue", which sounded very good but did take away some of the stereo image.
So i tried replacing The Glue with VSC-2. Instant gratification... Really!

Well, in the dozens of softcomps I've auditioned, the Glue has pretty consistently pantsed the competition in the vca/ssl clean grab department.

It was one of the first plugins I ever bought, and still one of the best... certainly one of the best values ever.

If this thing can add something unique in the 2buss department... well then I just gotta hear it.