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anonymous 20 December 2011
  • Which compressor made the most impressive impression on vocals?
  • Which 2 would be your top picks

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JohnTodd Wed, 12/21/2011 - 05:57

I'm not a pro, but I'd like to chime in on this one.

For my voice, it's the API-2500 VST, hands down. It puts the "big bottom" on my voice. Who knew I had such a skinny bottom and needed to fatten it up? :biggrin:

My second choice is the "Fishfillet Blockfish" compressor, the free VST from Digital Fish Phones. Perfect when gooey-colored compression is desired. Can't beat the price, either.

soapfloats Thu, 12/29/2011 - 00:37

Any real work done by compressors is done ITB for me, although I deploy a few dbx units (and an RNC) for massaging incoming signals.

And you've named my top 3: various models of the 1176, LA2A, and 2500. I use Antress versions for the first two, and the Waves API.
Can't say how they compare to the real thing, but I use them a lot, and on almost everything besides vocals, too.
I find the LA2A struggles w/ really dynamic vocals - the quietest and loudest parts don't seem to sit right in the mix.
2500 takes the cake for that - and it's why I use it on a lot of group buses.
I use the 1176 often on drums and bass, but also like it on vocals - it has a tendency to make things "pop".

Again, using freeware versions of some of these, so the accuracy of my experiences might be tainted.
Either way, I like what each of those does, and almost always use them as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices, depending on source.

Paul999 Thu, 12/29/2011 - 08:12

For aggressive vocals I like the 1176 hardware. I use the API 525 a lot. After using the LA-610 into a distressor combination for years I find that the API makes things just sit nicer. I do often compress a very small amount and automate ITB before I go into my hardware where I finish the job. I wish I was good at fader rides but I am not. Combining more then one compressor has been what I've found works consistently.

rocksure Wed, 01/11/2012 - 00:04

rocksure, post: 381456 wrote: Depending on whether I want a fat lead vocal or a more cutting in-your-face one, I find the 1176 ( fat) or dBX 160vu ( in-y-face) do pretty well.

I should also have mentioned the Valley People 440 compressor is another good one for helping put vocals in your face, it can be quite aggressive and somewhat in the vein of the 160vu. While at the other end of the scale, for a softer compressor, the ART Pro VLA used gently works quite nicely on vocals too and is well priced.

dvdhawk Thu, 01/12/2012 - 22:04

Glad to hear you're loving it. Love the bombfactory LA2A plug-in, haven't sprung for the real deal hardware yet - but sure would like to.

The Avalon 747 my buddy has is another one of those pieces of hardware that makes everything sound better just by being in the chain - before you even touch any of the controls.

audiokid Thu, 01/12/2012 - 22:12

dvdhawk, post: 382590 wrote: Glad to hear you're loving it. Love the bombfactory LA2A plug-in, haven't sprung for the real deal hardware yet - but sure would like to.

The Avalon 747 my buddy has is another one of those pieces of hardware that makes everything sound better just by being in the chain - before you even touch any of the controls.

Dave, its so right on. I'm just thrilled. I'm only using it for vocals though. Its a pretty expensive piece for just that but the way I figured it, if the vocals sit nice it makes it all easier to mix, so I took a chance and did it. No regrets at all, I can see its going to make life better. I have it as an insert with the MixDream. Works like a dream.

audiokid Fri, 01/13/2012 - 21:23

Paul999, post: 382587 wrote: I have the 1176LN and it is AWESOME IMO. I'll be getting some more 1176's. Right now this one has been stuck on kick an snare. I liked my 1176 so much that I sold my distressors.

Paul,
I use the Transient Designer (hardware version) for drums and wow, an amazing box, a hidden secret IMO. Have you checked it out?

Here are some testimonials:

http://spl.info/anw… Joe Chicarelli: Sound Performance 
http://spl.info/en/…
http://spl.info/anw…

Paul999 Fri, 01/13/2012 - 22:09

audiokid, post: 382696 wrote: Paul,
I use the Transient Designer (hardware version) for drums and wow, an amazing box, a hidden secret IMO. Have you checked it out?

I use the plug in version. With the 1176 I find that with All buttons in (most of the time) and the needle barely moving is brings up the room sound and the thickness while giving a nice mid forward push. My chain is, Snare->ITB plugs including TD->console with API 550b eq on insert. My kick has an identical channel. Next these both go to the 1176->Focusrite 2802 analog automation channel.

The API eq's are punchy as ****. The 1176 brings up the room and glues things together. The TD does the initial shaping of the tone. I used to use 2 distressors.

Are you using anything else on kick and snare?

audiokid Fri, 01/13/2012 - 22:21

My chain is: kick panned L, snare panned R OTB> MixDream channel 1&2 set to mono> insert TD L&R > Dangerous Master . I am experimenting with the A-Designs Nail with it too but its so awesome I want it on the 2-bus and why I'm thinking I need a few 1176 or the API 2500 with the drums. I'm thinking about a few differnt EQs and the API sounds pretty right on yes?

I use the SPL Passeq right now, inserted in my Dangerous Master MS bus after my MixDream. Its amazing.

Paul999 Fri, 01/13/2012 - 22:46

audiokid, post: 382704 wrote: Mine chain is: kick panned L, snare panned R > MixDream channel 1&2 set to mono> insert TD L&R > . I am experimenting with the A-Designs Nail but its so awesome I want it on the 2-bus and why I'm thinking I need a few 1176 or the API 2500 with the drums. I'm thinking about a few differnt EQs and the API sound pretty right on yes?

I use the SPL Passeq right now, inserted in my Dangerous Master MS bus after my MixDream. Its amazing.

Ha I bet the nail is awesome. I had a massive passive on loan for while and though it was great for a lot it ruled the 2-bus like nobodies business.

I found for me personally I found that one 1176 was better then 2 for kick and snare rather then one on kick and one on snare. This way the kick and snare live and breathe together. I don't know if anyone else does this and really don't care:-) I've never really gotten into the drum bus compression. To me overheads always suffer. I started doing drum bus compression without overheads and eventually took toms out ending up where I am. I find with TD, eq and automation I get what I need from toms.

EQ- I've used, ssl, JDK, API, D&R, toft, Purple, Tonelux and more. The API's have that "something". Not just eq but heft. The high end on the 550b's are something special. They do not get harsh. They sound a minute amount lo-fi but cool. Very hard to describe. When I use my tonelux eq's they are very good but they don't do that "thing". The 550b's also seem to compress a little to. After I mix if I do self mastering I use a pair of tonelux and a pair of API 550b's. Together these tamed my lust for a massive passive.

Bottom line If all I had was API 550b's on every channel I'd be happy.

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