Best Mastering Compressors

Hardware or Software?

Hardware... I have the CharterOak SCL-1 that I'm just getting to know. I'm still too unfamiliar with it to give a solid mark. Having this plus something with big personality would satisfy my needs. Manley, API maybe next but a ways down the road.

For software, Sequoia 11 comps rock, but after I posted a reply I see this is posted in the Home Studio Mastering Forum so you must be talking plug-ins and I'm in the wrong forum.

Cranesong either one is cool with me

Plug-ins are most economical for you. I don't really master anything, but I try my best. I just bought the UAD-2 Fairchild 670 plug-in and the original Fairchild 670 compressor hardware is worth $30,000. For $99.99 (on sale) I thought it was a really good deal. And if I have 25 recorded tracks I can have 25 Fairchild 670 compressors in my DAW. That many hardware versions would cost me +$1 MILLION BUCKS !! Good value for $100.

I go for Waves
CLA Classic Compressors

Great comps about $500

I don't master but I'll sometimes throw my mixdowns into T-racks. I think I get fairly musical and dynamic results.

It's not so much about the tool as it is the one using it though, to a certain degree.

mdb, post: 372531 wrote: ....... versions would cost me +$1 MILLION BUCKS !! Good value for $100.

Lol. I love it.

Use the UAD II mastering suite: Precision EQ, Limiter, Multi-band and Maximizer. They work very well. I have not had the opportunity to use outboard gear other than preamps and compressors. I suspect that hardware including summing amps, etc, would all contribute to the sonic clarity.

tayzin, post: 373197 wrote: I go for Waves
CLA Classic Compressors

Great comps about $500

The Wave emulation seems to add some harmonics and is not transparent enough IMO to be a good choice as a good compressor choice for mastering purposes, but I have never used it in that fashion.

Hardware vs Software

From what i hear, the difference between hardware and software is kinda like a tube amp and a solid state amp, hardware = Tube, software=solid state, coming from a guitarist, i think if you can afford it, hardware is the way to go

plugins are much cheaper, if you compare a great plugin,
for example PSP MasterComp (my fav. mastering plugin), to hardware compressor - well
plug costs 10x less then hardware, and remember - you can use as many plugs within project as you wish (until you kill you cpu power:)

I adore my Summit DCL-200, have a lovely enveloping ability.

When it comes to compression in mastering you need to ask what you are planning to achieve and have a very clear goal. This will determine equipment choices.

cheers

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.masterin…"]online mastering[/]="http://www.masterin…"]online mastering[/]

Summit is great compressor, but very 'slowly', hence not really usable on some audio content,
also it's nice piece of mojo, and not very cheap:)
I also use hardware compressors, but I think plugins (if you really know which one to use&when&how)
are absolutely great, and for many jobs, when budget is ...very tight - does wonders

Waves SSL 4000 comp can be good, and can be good for the low end tightening.
I prefer the PSP Master compressor.

G

agree,
I actually use hardware version of Waves ssl:)
and it's great for such a task

Crystal Mixing, post: 377355 wrote: Waves SSL 4000 comp can be good, and can be good for the low end tightening.
I prefer the PSP Master compressor.

G

agree,
I actually use hardware version of Waves ssl:)
and it's great for such a task

Crystal Mixing, post: 377355 wrote: Waves SSL 4000 comp can be good, and can be good for the low end tightening.

I prefer the PSP Master compressor.

G

Well in many instances you want to apply a character from any given piece of equipment
that is not GR related. Vari Mu is also typically slow but plenty are used for mastering.

As far as SSL type I found this works for me only in parallel for mastering (and I have better options anyway), it's predictable control
of a very specific nature and that surely does not work for all music/genres.

cheers

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.masterin…"]online mastering studio[/]="http://www.masterin…"]online mastering studio[/]

I used Waves for years, but I really like the Slate Digital FGX mastering unit. You really know when you're over-cooking it but it lets a nice loud master though with plenty of breathing space for transients. No EQ on it though.

sickfiction, post: 377831 wrote: I used Waves for years, but I really like the Slate Digital FGX mastering unit. You really know when you're over-cooking it but it lets a nice loud master though with plenty of breathing space for transients. No EQ on it though.

truly fgx is interesting plugin,
it has a very good arranged metering - kudos for it!
and I like it's compressor with slowish att/rel settings;
it's also a winner in limiter competition for rock/guitar music - sounds very good

I have great success with Waves C4 and Oxford Inflator... also Waves L2 (TDM Pro Tools)

interesting as my contact with c4 wasn't pleasant,
I liked it when mixing, on single track, but on master bus - no no ....
I don't have it anymore though, as I don't use multiband compressor

I'd recommend the Cranesong STC-8 as an excellent all-round compressor that can be used for 90% of your compression duties. Later you can add something with more flavor or vibe, like a MU design, Alan Smart/SSL or similar.

Can't really comment on software compressors, have yet to find one that sounds right.

Cheers,
Thor

Maybe Waves. I used it. And it is good.

I've had some pretty satisfying results with the [="http://www.mcdsp.com/images/stories/products/ml/ml_hiphop.jpg"]ML4000[/]="http://www.mcdsp.co…"]ML4000[/] and the [[url=http://="http://www.waves.co…"]L2 Ultramaximizer.[/]="http://www.waves.co…"]L2 Ultramaximizer.[/] If I'm not pushing these hard, I feel like I get the most out of the master while maintaining the clarity of the mix. I suggest them!

- Jake

thor, post: 379237 wrote: Can't really comment on software compressors, have yet to find one that sounds right.

Cheers,
Thor

there are few worth to check - psp mastercomp, flux solera, elysia mpressor...(should be Alpha:)

UAD-2 is great, I m using the maximizer for loudness, the 33609 for glue, and the precising eq to ope to to and the bottom

if we are talking about plugs, then new kid on the block would be
vertigo sc2 plugin by brainworx,
it has a very strong character as for mastering could be too much without mix knob,
anway you can grab 2 weeks demo and check it yourself

Hi,

One of the Point Blank courses available to you is the Audio Mastering course. The plugins used in this course are Waves plugins, including the C1 compressor. The C1 would be the one I recommend for mastering compression.

actually I have never heard about any MEs using C1 as a mastering compressor,
obviously most serious ones use hardware, but still in digital world - there's many many better choices then waves c1...
their rcomp was great, I really liked it, but obviously not for mastering tasks,
.....as well as c1
but it's just my opinion

The C1 is great and is transparent. It is teakable to death and that might be its problem... What are you going to do on your 2-bus? Dial in a 7.5ms attack or 9.3? You know what I mean?
Other compressors most often have limited choices in their settings (if not fixed). Thus, easy to say: this comp is great for mastering, or drums or bass blablabal

The C1 can do anything (transparently) as long as you know the settings you are after... IMHO

that's ok, but there's dozen hundreds other compressors on the market,
better sounding (and quite popular between MEs)
and for less money,
I understand waves company doing badly recently (and they deserved it being perfectly honest)
so they need to give some positive PR to their products on the net,
I can drop you at least dozen compressors names which are used by 85% of folks,
c1 is not there,
not even when ppl chat about track or groups compression - c1 name doesn't comes at all;
also some greatest hardware compressors (like ssl4000) have 'un-tweakable' for you, sets,
yet their quite popular in studios around the world, which is not a case with c1
if you know audio engineering, you should know that tweakability is not always the case

chavernac, post: 381935 wrote: The C1 is great and is transparent. It is teakable to death and that might be its problem... What are you going to do on your 2-bus? Dial in a 7.5ms attack or 9.3? You know what I mean?
Other compressors most often have limited choices in their settings (if not fixed). Thus, easy to say: this comp is great for mastering, or drums or bass blablabal

The C1 can do anything (transparently) as long as you know the settings you are after... IMHO

I use software only. UAD's Fairchild 670 does very well on the job.
This is the result of what MY EARS told me and that's very important.

I mainly use a Pendulum OCL-2. Very versatile mastering comp.

Btw, I totally agree with Matthewty, if you can afford hardware, get some in, especially for mastering. I don't have racks of the stuff but what I do have is very nice and could never be replaced with software, (with nice outbound gear comes the need for nice converters too).

Sonnox have a range of plugins very suitable for mastering, PSP worth looking at too.

Red Mastering, post: 379030 wrote: truly fgx is interesting plugin,
it has a very good arranged metering - kudos for it!
and I like it's compressor with slowish att/rel settings;
it's also a winner in limiter competition for rock/guitar music - sounds very good

I wish you could separate FG-X so you could put your own EQ in the middle of the compressor and gain/limiter
recently I've been turning off the compressor and using stillwell bombadier but ive had mixed results (some great some not)

This one is a freeware, but it's great as bus compressor:
[="http://www.tokyodaw…"]http://www.tokyodaw…

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