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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 10, 2021 14:07:43 GMT -6
Funny thing, I don't love the LA2A either, and as Christophert said, it's too grabby. So, lacking a hardware compressor I love, I'll use just a pinch of UAD's LA2A plug-in on occasion, but often just use a plug-in after the vocal is done. The MJUC can come in handy, and Logic's DBX modeled compressor is superb on mixes, it's very transparent and not grabby at all. In fact, I use it more than any other plug-in compressor, including UAD's API 2500 which is supposed to be great on drums, meh..
Strangely enough, the Waves CLA 76 does a better job with acoustic guitar than any of the other 1176 plugs I've tried, including UAD's.
Hopefully i'll find a compressor I love some day. Maybe a Tube Tech CL1B or the Stam Child 660, but they're out of reach for me right now.
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Post by Blackdawg on Oct 10, 2021 14:14:27 GMT -6
Interesting. I use LA-2A style way more often tracking vocals. In my case an AudioScape version. Maybe it’s a taste thing? I like the slow attack. I also enjoy singing with the slow release, I think it’s just fun and kind of like working the mic live. But I often chain compression on my vocal mixes and an 1176 plug is always on there. For me I use it as a limiter not a compressor. LA2A or any Opto or MU can't do a limiting action in the same way. Then I compress with one of those later. But tracking I use it as a limiter 20:1 usually. Just tickle the needle. |
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 10, 2021 17:16:22 GMT -6
Hopefully i'll find a compressor I love some day. Maybe a Tube Tech CL1B or the Stam Child 660, but they're out of reach for me right now. To bring in a Buddhist idea.... I made the decision to fully concentrate on the output with the gear that I have. There will always be something that is more fancy, more shiny etc. Making the vision happen … here and now. This idea helps me to go back to the songs... I also use 30 minute block time blocks in my schedule with exact descriptions what to do... what’s the goal. Helps me to stay on task.... |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 10, 2021 18:11:14 GMT -6
Well, not having a hardware compressor hasn't stopped me yet  |
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Post by christophert on Oct 10, 2021 19:31:35 GMT -6
Tracking LV's without a compressor is fine (genre depending) Better done with something awesome, or not done at all, especially any grabby or fast attack compression that will destroy the dynamics, flatten and ruin the vibe of a performance.
When mixing, MJUC with HQ and AGC turned on is an amazing compressor for ITB - I religiously use it on bass / vocals / Rhodes / Whirly as my first choice, even in conjunction with hardware.
Only with HQ and AGC on - otherwise it does not have enough magic.
MJUC rocks !
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Post by bgrotto on Oct 10, 2021 21:07:27 GMT -6
pretty much always track through one.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2021 1:42:06 GMT -6
Interesting. I use LA-2A style way more often tracking vocals. In my case an AudioScape version. Maybe it’s a taste thing? I like the slow attack. I also enjoy singing with the slow release, I think it’s just fun and kind of like working the mic live. But I often chain compression on my vocal mixes and an 1176 plug is always on there. For me I use it as a limiter not a compressor. LA2A or any Opto or MU can't do a limiting action in the same way. Then I compress with one of those later. But tracking I use it as a limiter 20:1 usually. Just tickle the needle. I'm quoting you because that's what I do, besides smashing drums AFAIK that's the point of a 1176 as it stops transient peaks hitting your converters and also adds a subtle layer of volume continuity. If done right one would hardly know that a 1176 is there at all.. I use an LA-2A in sequence with a 1176, the LA-2A provides high frequency tonal shaping and subtle levelling compression for softer parts, as singers become louder the amount of pressure required increases therefore volume raises. The UA LA-2A hardware and close equivalents at least elongates and smooths out HF, high volume parts and has an uncanny ability to quell ear piercing distortion or vocal anomalies. There's definitely a sweet spot though, not enough compression and it can be slow to react or "grabby". Too much compression and it can darken / restrict the sound (if not just make the take unusable). If one's a car buff then I can use a large turbocharger analogy, power or acceleration comes in bursts due to the fact a turbo has to spool up before injecting large amounts of air into the engine, although this results in a polarising delivery method. If one keeps the turbo spinning to an extent at all times lag doesn't become much of an issue.. |
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Post by Ward on Oct 11, 2021 5:23:21 GMT -6
Friendly reminder:
We're discussing FET compressors, led by the mighty 1176 family. Not VCAs.
Generally speaking, not many of us want to hear the compression squash and slowly release. @soriantis (trying to remember your previous two usernames but drawing a blank) has a excellent post above.
Everyone: What's your starting point when it comes to settings on a 76? (assume nominal input is averaging -24dbfs with maximum peaks closer to -18dbfs)
Mine:
Input 30
Output 18
Attack 3
Release 6
12:1 ratio
That's just the starting point.
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Post by robschnapf on Oct 11, 2021 6:39:45 GMT -6
Always everyday
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Post by bossanova on Oct 11, 2021 7:12:52 GMT -6
Friendly reminder: We're discussing FET compressors, led by the mighty 1176 family. Not VCAs. Generally speaking, not many of us want to hear the compression squash and slowly release. @soriantis (trying to remember your previous two usernames but drawing a blank) has a excellent post above. Everyone: What's your starting point when it comes to settings on a 76? (assume nominal input is averaging -24dbfs with maximum peaks closer to -18dbfs) Mine: Input 30 Output 18 Attack 3 Release 6 12:1 ratio That's just the starting point. Dr Pepper at 4:1 or Bones Howe at 12:1. |
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Post by svart on Oct 11, 2021 8:11:01 GMT -6
It never leaves the vocal chain.
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Post by mcirish on Oct 11, 2021 8:37:12 GMT -6
An 1176 is always the first compressor, right after a dynamic EQ. I almost always have it on 4:1 with slower attack and fastest release. I follow it up with EQ and then another optical type compressor like a Summit or CL1B. For dense mixes, I also use a touch of Wave MV2 at the end of the vocal chain. It doesn't add any real flavor but I use it to bring up up the softer bits. I don't use the downward compression as I find it too obvious.
I also do a ton of manual automation on vocal tracks. I don't want to hear pumping but I do want the vocal to stay in front without poking out. For me, automation (clip gain & fader moves) is what really polishes the vocal performance.
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Post by phantom on Oct 11, 2021 10:08:02 GMT -6
For me is track with a LA2A, mix with a 1176
Most of the time.
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 11, 2021 11:37:33 GMT -6
It never leaves the vocal chain.
Svart is the 1176 still one of the fastest compressors? My impression is it's almost fast on every setting....
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Post by svart on Oct 11, 2021 11:51:08 GMT -6
It never leaves the vocal chain.
Svart is the 1176 still one of the fastest compressors? My impression is it's almost fast on every setting....
It is pretty fast. Distressor or varimu are faster. |
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Post by EmRR on Oct 11, 2021 12:17:09 GMT -6
Svart is the 1176 still one of the fastest compressors? My impression is it's almost fast on every setting....
It is pretty fast. Distressor or varimu are faster. Varimu needs parsing - StaLevel/RS124/etc are all very slow. Varimu is all over the place. Very few are faster than 100microseconds, 1176 claims to 20-800 microseconds, very little is that fast and most things also go much slower, it's fast no matter how you set it. A Fairchild specs 200 microseconds as fastest, a StaLevel specs 25 mS as the fastest. Actually, Distressor specs 50 microseconds as fastest, but at that speed it can be a matter of perception around artifacts as much as actual speed. Distressor, by a pretty reliable report, is essentially a highly modified 1176, also having much much slower attack times. |
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Post by Ward on Oct 12, 2021 6:05:43 GMT -6
It never leaves the vocal chain. Svart is the 1176 still one of the fastest compressors? My impression is it's almost fast on every setting....
Not speaking for svart, but the blue-stripe is the fastest I've ever encountered, it grabs without destroying the dynamic of the program material. Did you know the audioscape 76a is even faster than the original, but just like the original, you can slow it down considerably. If the initial clamp is ever an issue, have a snare hit or something spiky at 1 measure before your material rolls to start the 76 working before it rolls on. It's an old technique that used to work wonders back in the day. Especially useful during mixing. |
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 12, 2021 8:07:52 GMT -6
Svart is the 1176 still one of the fastest compressors? My impression is it's almost fast on every setting....
Not speaking for svart , but the blue-stripe is the fastest I've ever encountered, it grabs without destroying the dynamic of the program material. Did you know the audioscape 76a is even faster than the original, but just like the original, you can slow it down considerably. If the initial clamp is ever an issue, have a snare hit or something spiky at 1 measure before your material rolls to start the 76 working before it rolls on. It's an old technique that used to work wonders back in the day. Especially useful during mixing.
Interesting. I always wondered why some transients were missed out by bot of my 1176 HW as well as both 1176 Plugs...
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