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anonymous 1 October 2009

I was recording last night with a new preamp that I built (Telefunken V-72) and I am getting pretty good sounding recordings now using Pro Tools. When I add a compressor using the various plugins that come with Pro Tools LE it seems to me that they are actually degrading the sound and reducing the gain.

I am about ready to build a tube compressor (dripelectronics.com) because I think that may be the only way to get good sounding compression.

Am I wrong on this?

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dvdhawk Thu, 10/01/2009 - 11:35

Welcome to RO blueshawk.

There are much better compressor plug-ins available. The stock Digidesign plugs are fairly unimpressive. Some of their bundles included the Bombfactory classic compressors - those I like ... ALOT! Their version of the LA2A is probably the one I use the most. The Fairchild 670 and 1176 are also very useful.

In a perfect world, we'd all have racks full of A-list hardware - but in the meantime there are some really nice plug-ins out there that at least give you a hint of that magic. And if your computer is up to the task, you can insert one on every channel.

As discussed here: {old-link-removed}

But considering all that, if you can build quality pieces of hardware.... do that too! Every piece will have it's own character and that's always a bonus as far as I'm concerned.

Kev Thu, 10/01/2009 - 14:25

yep
you have successfully completed a V-72
was this from scratch or was it a card added to a power supply ?

even so
DIY mic pres are very cool and will serve you into the future
look into a DIY compressor for track laying
something like the LA2 is very cool here
so too the 1176
there is enough info out there
I can direct you to some of the more comprehensive sites for these two

my advice is not to get too gear focused as I think the future will be more plugs for mix down as they get better and better

but for track laying I think there is great merit in the best gear you can obtain ... via any method ... almost

I do use the stock Digi stuff and it can be useful but probably not the killer sound you may be looking for
like hardware you need to learn how and where to use the plugs
...
they have their place

anonymous Thu, 10/01/2009 - 16:04

THe V-72 was from scratch. I got a PCB from Drip ELectronics, ordered the parts and built it up. Amazing sound and very low noise, low his. Also great online support for problems. Dripelectronics.com. They have a la2a board, a UA175 and are just doing the Fairchild 660 compressor.

Thanks. I do have the bombfactory compressor plugin. I'll try it and see if it sounds any better, in the meantime.

Kev Fri, 10/02/2009 - 03:52

before you jump on the classic circuit LA2 from Drip
take a look at the V-4 promo
it has a couple of useful bits like the time constant on the T4B

otherwise a point to point or turret version of the LA2 is more classic

Greg has done a nice presentation on the Drip stuff and the assembly manuals are cool ... good for anyone doing a bit of DIY even if it is not directly a Drip PCB

That opto T4B styled trafo in and out ... all on tubes
is a fine basic compressor while tracking ... vocals and bass are very sweet

add to that an 1176 ... ClassA output and I think you will be happy with most track laying

this would then help to get more from the better quality plugs

Classic EQ's are cool but only if you have the basic flavours of Mic-pre and the two comps ... leave the Fairchild for now
but
plugs may be a better way to get your EQ's you can't have enough hardware EQ's for mixdown and track laying may not be the best time to commit too heavily to an EQ

Hardware
Mic-pres and comps for track laying ... I already said that

and
check the Red .... 47
nice

then look to some solid stuff based on DOA's
JLM, Hardy and Forssell etc
Seventh

that's enough for now

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