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Hi there,

I wanne talk about equipment that seems to (or is accused of) softclipping some transients (while doing something else ;) )
Working in different studio's I've heard some engineers talk about how some of their equipment also catches some transients. Most of the times they rave about how there TUBE (compressor / EQ / Pre / "whatever") can softclip some quick peaks when you drive it a bit...

Me myself and I ;) only found real prove (?) of this when I use a Summit Audio DCL-200 on the mixbus.
Going to DAT: every song seems to have a handfull of peaks (I call them "killer-transients" that are almost (-1dB) clipping the Dat. (forcing me to keep all other hits/peaks at -12dB).
But when I turn the output gain (=tube stage) on the DCL-200 up, I can get a bit more level to DAT without clipping! It's not really like a L2 where you can smack all snarehits and kill all dynamics. ;) But it seems to be able to softclip just a few dB of the "killer transients" ;)

I also talked to a famous European producer last week, who said he always uses a API 2500 compressor on the mixbus (in old-mode) and that it's Gain output could also be raised a bit without clipping the DAT...

What experiences do other people on this forum have?

Please let me know, I'm very curious!

ThanX in advance!

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Guest Thu, 03/14/2002 - 22:13

"I also talked to a famous European producer last week, who said he always uses a API 2500 compressor on the mixbus"

(Wild guess here) Dave Bascome?

I like SSL on drums but perhaps not on the mix, (2 SSL's ! That really makes my head hurt!) I must check out the API unit soon, I want to like it from the way it looks! (besides seriously, I have heard good things about it)

:)

anonymous Fri, 03/15/2002 - 07:10

Originally posted by Julian Standen:
"I also talked to a famous European producer last week, who said he always uses a API 2500 compressor on the mixbus"

(Wild guess here) Dave Bascome?

No... This guy does Alternative/commercial stuff...
Hint: lot of German bands....


I like SSL on drums but perhaps not on the mix, (2 SSL's ! That really makes my head hurt!) I must check out the API unit soon, I want to like it from the way it looks! (besides seriously, I have heard good things about it)
:)

But Julian how do you get rid of those 4 "Killer Transients" every song seems to have?!
(.... as a PT guy, you'll probably L1?! ;) )

And how good is the Fatso for this Job?? Does it's tape-simulation also catch some peaks?

anonymous Sat, 03/16/2002 - 23:55

I have had great results from a Manley Variable MU, for catching those kilelr transients.. especially if you are in Alsishad land.. which i have been of recently..my amepx 2" did it beautifully before it came around.

It's a very expensive peice of kit and is pretty good and doing most things, but its not really aggressive and pretty damn transparent. Not sure whether or not I would buy one new.. i got mine at a steal so it has saved my ass a few times...

RE: Dave Bascombe..

He still is on the money. I have loved his work ever since the Tears for fears stuff.. songs from the big chair etc and heaps of other stuff. He was in Australia last year mixing an album and it ROCKED heaps.. tons of SSL compression and it suited it group really well
.... BTW he loves distressors

cya
WIGGY