1511 wrote: the AC2 seems to be acting a lot like a limiter and reducing dynamics.

I'm not one to be answering this question but isn't this in fact what tape does when you push it to saturation? That is, isn't it the "natural" compression that tape has which people are looking for when they use these plugins?

Yes, that's what that plug is trying to do. it's compressing, a little bass boost, a little high end drop, and a little peak limiting. It's perfectly fine to use this to color a mix. You'll also probably want to tweek the mix a bit with it in to compensate a little for what it's doing. Using compression on a mix is more than ok, most mixers use one. It's not for volume or level, but for color and vibe.

Thanks for the replies. That's exactly what is working for some of these mixes, the color and vibe of the tape plug. I'm definitely having to rethink compression on individual tracks, though. I just wanted to hear if this was ever a mastering problem.
Thanks

I have a further question about this:

Where do you all find the best place for this is in a mastering chain?

I ask assuming a basic chain might be:

1) EQ
2) Compression
3) Limiting
4) Dither

I've enjoyed the Voxengo Warmifier, and I know Aleksee recommended on the forum using after compression and pre-limiting. However, it seems more intuitive to use it before or right after EQ.

This is a puzzler to me. Thoughts?

well, since it's more of a frequence dependent kind of compression, you can place it before or after the eq and get good but different results. But in general, this kind of plug is very damaging to the mix and should be compensated for while you are mixing.

Hey guys, the audiovisceral question was right. Last years many ME´s are using
the different tube gears for more “analog sound” . My ME friend use the FatMan and the signal rather flows through the tube. In my chain I have the PSP VintageWarmer (tube simulation plug-in) between compressor and limiter (also very carefully) and it seems to be ok.