If I love the distressor, then I would really LOVE which compressor?

[rjx]

What smokes the distressor?

[petermeechanuk]

It depends upon how you use the distressor. I behaves differently on different settings. If that's what you like about it then there aren't many compressors other than Cranesong Trakker to compare. If you like it mainly on a particular setting e.g. OPTO mode, then there are several opto compressors that are better on certain material but not as good for other things. The distressor's main advantages are in it's versatility.

-Peter

Some sort of high end creamy valve compressor,

That would make a nice change 4 U.

A diffferent 'flavor"

[pounce]

if you know you love the distressor, why are you asking for another compressor. just get the damn distressor. they are great.

[rjx]

I have it, thats how I know I love it. I was just wondering if there was anything out there that is similar, but better.

[dtobocman]

Originally posted by rjx
I have it, thats how I know I love it. I was just wondering if there was anything out there that is similar, but better.

Two Distressors.

[faeflora]

Two Distressors with Brit Mods.

[pounce]

only other thing that comes to mind as being versatile and great is the trakkers. trakkers and distrressors are favorites of mine fwiw.

[rjx]

I guess Crane Song is having a sale for the holidays because all the retailers are selling the Trakkers for $1,750.00
http://www.mercenary.com/traksinchand.html

That is the only other compressor right now that I really want.

[dtobocman]

The thing about the Distressor is its versatility. It can do a bunch of different things, mostly all, slightly to extremely colored.

The Cranesong Trakker is a device with a similar approach, but in the uncolored to slightly colored range.

You probably won't find another unit besides these two that excel at a plethora of single-channel C/L functions, but there are quite a few units that do their one or two things and do them very well (LA2A, 1176, Neve, API, Summit, TubeTech, Fairchild, Alan Smart, Atomic Squeezebox, SSL, even dbx, even Gain Brain).

My advice is to either get another Distressor, a Trakker, or start on the path of one of each of the above list.

[groove guru]

I think having a pair of Distressors w/both mods is indispensable. That being said, I'm getting a Trakker for Xmas.

[Etnier]

I've had 3 EL8's for years, but I love my new LA-3A's

[speerchucker]

If you use the distressor "clean," and put it up against any other top compressor, it will lose, IMO. It's magic is in the very musical harmonic generation that it does. The Brit mod is cool, but an 1176 blackface does it better

Try a Jeff Daking comp, then use software-based harmonics generation. (DadTape, Cranesong Phoenix, etc) kicks the Distressor's butt, IMO

-but then, I'm also not crazy about Adam monitors or Royer ribbons, so go figure. I tend to use my ears, not go by some internet frenzy. Of course, I could also be insane. I mean, how would I know?

.

[rjx]

Originally posted by speerchucker
If you use the distressor "clean," and put it up against any other top compressor, it will lose, IMO. It's magic is in the very musical harmonic generation that it does.

I never use my distressor clean. Thats what the rnc comes in handy for ... soon to be trakker.

Originally posted by speerchucker
I tend to use my ears, not go by some internet frenzy.

I would hear about the distressor from time to time, and read about it every once in a while in various mags / forums. But becoming a member to this forum made me realize that the distressor is very popular.

Originally posted by dtobocman
but there are quite a few units that do their one or two things and do them very well (LA2A, 1176, Neve, API, Summit, TubeTech, Fairchild, Alan Smart, Atomic Squeezebox, SSL, even dbx, even Gain Brain)....or start on the path of one of each of the above list.

I would love to have an army of compressors from those manufactures ... and be able to utilize them

[Sir Bob]

Maybe I should start a shootout thread but I'll start here:

Trakker vs. Distressor

I only have an RNC and some Alesis think that I stopped using because it was too noisy.

Anyway, Trakker v. Distressor. Which of these comes closest to emulating the classic sounds of an 1176 on instruments and LA-2A on vocals. (From these pages I have learned that those are the classic compressor sounds of the past along with the Fairchild.)

[faeflora]

Originally posted by Sir Bob
Maybe I should start a shootout thread but I'll start here:

Trakker vs. Distressor

I only have an RNC and some Alesis think that I stopped using because it was too noisy.

Anyway, Trakker v. Distressor. Which of these comes closest to emulating the classic sounds of an 1176 on instruments and LA-2A on vocals. (From these pages I have learned that those are the classic compressor sounds of the past along with the Fairchild.)

Oh shit, please no! There's already been about 20 threads with that title! Do a search pleeeeze.

[RobMacki]

Find me a rag!



I just drooled all over my laptop!!!!


Another Rag Please!!

[Sir Bob]

Originally posted by faeflora
Oh shit, please no! There's already been about 20 threads with that title! Do a search pleeeeze.

Well, my quick search nets me the following generalizations:

--Distressor: Best tool for edgy drums and distorted guitar;

--Trakker: Best for most normal stuff.

Okay now. Who disagrees?

[ziegenh5]

Well, I won't disagree as I have not heard a Distressor and a Trakker works on most everything...............but................. ....I will say that a vintage black face 1176LN kills on most sources........ at least in my world.

Peace,
Sean

[Shaman]

The Distressor is unbeatable as an IN YER FACE compressor.



For something more elegant try the Vari Mu.

[WildCowboys]

To put up another option which is an especially good value...I love my Avalon 747 for tracking. Even at very high gain reduction you still do not hear the comp work a lot, just beautiful...plus you are getting a real killer graphic EQ as well as two additional semi-parametric EQ bands that can be switched into the sidechain. To top it off one can use a tube or solid state signal path by the touch of a button. And of course, it is a stereo unit. Unbelievable bang for the buck.
Can´t say how it compares to the other comps though, have not been using them.

Rock on,
Pat

[ziegenh5]

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but if I may reverse the question.

If I love the 1176.......would I love the distressor? I know the Distressor has a lot more bells and whistles, but I wonder if it does anything better than an 1176 (vintage black face) or if it would go unused.
Thanks,
Sean

[rjx]

Originally posted by Shaman
For something more elegant try the Vari Mu.

Don't tempt me. I really want a Manley.

[madrigal]

I guess Crane Song is having a sale for the holidays because all the retailers are selling the Trakkers for $1,750.00

Don't tempt me . What with the great Euro-dollar exchange rate and this price, my Christmas present is sorted!!

[faeflora]

Originally posted by WildCowboys
To put up another option which is an especially good value...I love my Avalon 747 for tracking. Even at very high gain reduction you still do not hear the comp work a lot,

I totally doubt it compresses inaudibly. If there's high gain reduction going on and you can't hear the compression, you might need to practice listening some more.

[WildCowboys]

the 747 is tricky to set up for mix bus compression, but to me it does handle single track compression just wonderfully. 5-10dB of GR on vocals or bass sounds just like what I want to hear, leveled but not overly "compressed" sounding. ymmv.
But maybe I should just accept that anybody else is just so advanced

Rock on,
Pat

[Cabo Robo]

I love the distressor but right now the Api 2500 is hands down my favovorite. It smokes! If anyone is interested we have a few in stock.

[shapemod]

If you like a Distressor I bet you will like a blackface Urei 1176. Distressor is still my favourite for drums, for vocals, guitars and bass I prefere the 1176. I love the inyourface sound, and this two units are totally able to deliver that!

[WildCowboys]

I see that many here love the 1176 on vocals...which I also like sometimes, but more recently I have found it to be quite "jumping" compared to let´s say the LA2A sound, which makes the vocals sit very solid in the mix. Don´t you guys think a 4:1 ratio is sometimes to high for tracking compression? I prefer to use the 1176 sound after an initial compression with something that does 3:1 or even 2:1. Any opinions on that?
Rock on,
Pat

[Sir Bob]

I have never worked with either but I have read so many threads about these two I can give a chapter and verse summation:

--1176 for instruments;

--LA-2A for vocals and some producers set the compression so low that it is really being used as an effect.