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Post by mrholmes on Jan 23, 2022 3:13:47 GMT -6
RGOs.
I am huge fan of OPTOs on the LF range. I like the fact that they most often shave off the transient in a round way, and they ad some weight to the low end too. Depending on the song they nail it.
The only thing that bugs me:
I cant use them on fast songs because they react too slow. But I like that sound....
Is this related to the OPTO cells and there is no way to get the same result when the compressor would work faster? Or is there a chance in the digital domain to get both, the calm impression, and faster attack and relase times.
You get the point LA2A on steroids.
Is there anything like this?
Cheers A.
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Post by bricejchandler on Jan 23, 2022 3:28:46 GMT -6
light dependent resistors can't be as fast as semiconductors. So no you'll never have an Opto be as fast as a a fast VCA or FET.
But there are opto cells that are considerably faster than an LA2A.
Something like the Buzz Soc comes to mind, it goes down to 1ms. I'm sure there are others.
The speed of the LA2A optocell is the reason a lot of people ended up using the 1176-LA2A combo, the 1176 catches the peaks and the LA2A adds the glue.
Also I think part of the sound you like in an LA2A, the way transients sound after going through the circuit and the low end warmth is not just the compression behavior , the actual circuit without compression imparts a pretty unmistakable color!
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Post by Blackdawg on Jan 23, 2022 3:49:45 GMT -6
Yeah Brice hit literally everything that I would say. Including looking at the Buzz SOC.
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Post by mrholmes on Jan 23, 2022 5:26:39 GMT -6
light dependent resistors can't be as fast as semiconductors. So no you'll never have an Opto be as fast as a a fast VCA or FET. But there are opto cells that are considerably faster than an LA2A. Something like the Buzz Soc comes to mind, it goes down to 1ms. I'm sure there are others. The speed of the LA2A optocell is the reason a lot of people ended up using the 1176-LA2A combo, the 1176 catches the peaks and the LA2A adds the glue. Also I think part of the sound you like in an LA2A, the way transients sound after going through the circuit and the low end warmth is not just the compression behavior , the actual circuit without compression imparts a pretty unmistakable color!
Cool in other words some some VCA or FET with some fat output transformer stages would serve me well? Or just unsing the combination.
If thats it I am fine....
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Post by craigmorris74 on Jan 23, 2022 9:19:35 GMT -6
Which optos have you tried?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2022 10:02:49 GMT -6
Get something more modern tech that emulates an optical release with faster attack. Little Labs LL2A or Kush Tweaker come to mind. Modern stuff with dual releases will have cleaner filters but it won’t sound like an optical comp.
ITB: Presswerk, DC8C3, Molot GE, and Goodhertz Tupe are all sick for “faster opto” set right. Presswerk is fabulous on faster vocals and Molot is fun, gritty, and unique. DC8C3 is very round. Goodhertz Tupe Opto is a sped up opto especially the limiter.
I also like the Variety of Sound NastyVCS compressor, PSP Infinistrip Opto, and PSP Twin-L optical limiter but they’re dirty and have a sound. PSP Twin-L opto mode is spongey.
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Post by bricejchandler on Jan 23, 2022 10:25:05 GMT -6
light dependent resistors can't be as fast as semiconductors. So no you'll never have an Opto be as fast as a a fast VCA or FET. But there are opto cells that are considerably faster than an LA2A. Something like the Buzz Soc comes to mind, it goes down to 1ms. I'm sure there are others. The speed of the LA2A optocell is the reason a lot of people ended up using the 1176-LA2A combo, the 1176 catches the peaks and the LA2A adds the glue. Also I think part of the sound you like in an LA2A, the way transients sound after going through the circuit and the low end warmth is not just the compression behavior , the actual circuit without compression imparts a pretty unmistakable color!
Cool in other words some some VCA or FET with some fat output transformer stages would serve me well? Or just unsing the combination.
If thats it I am fine....
Sure! or get something super fast and clean do the bulk of the compression and use the opto for color. I tend to dislike overly compressed vocals ( unless I'm really going for an effect ) so I actually tend to do a lot of clip gain and automation before ever hitting a compressor, it is a little time consuming but not as much as you would think. |
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Post by robschnapf on Jan 23, 2022 10:35:42 GMT -6
Distressor
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Post by mrholmes on Jan 23, 2022 16:59:33 GMT -6
Which optos have you tried?
Sure severeal real 2as which I all liked. At home I am only ITB.
BRA is great but my question have been answered I just forgot what I have on the HD.
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Post by bgrotto on Jan 23, 2022 17:41:05 GMT -6
I like diode-bridge type compression to accomplish what you're looking for, mrholmes. Something like a 2264 (or its ilk) does a lot of what you like about the fat and gooey opto LF and transient-eating, but they can react much more quickly that your typical opto (though FWIW LA3As are pretty dang fast) |
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Post by Ward on Jan 23, 2022 17:45:54 GMT -6
As bricejchandler stated, it's commonplace to pair an Opto with a 76. The Opto rides the waves, the 76 levels the peaks. in the end, you can control how much compression you hear and the tonal changes and have very controlled audio program material! |
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Post by stevenlmorgan on Jan 23, 2022 21:09:16 GMT -6
Regarding diode bridge, I can vouch that my Buzz DBC-M is faster than my SOC-M.
I can only recall one vocal passage of the last 100 where it mattered, the SOC-M is fast, but just this afternoon the DBC-M made easy work of single fast “I” that the SOC-M missed.
They are extremely complimentary compressors, the DBC-M adds even more speed , control and a great color that works with almost everything, the SOC-M beautifies every source.
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Post by robschnapf on Jan 23, 2022 23:04:47 GMT -6
The spectra 610 has an incredibly fast peak limiter in it.
Super effective.
Always loved 1176/3A combo.
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Post by drbill on Jan 23, 2022 23:25:55 GMT -6
Always loved 1176/3A combo. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by plinker on Jan 23, 2022 23:38:24 GMT -6
The Hamptone HOC1 does 20 dB of compression in 1.5 MS. I have one, it's really faaaaaast when you want it to be, while still doing the opto smoothing. I'm not sure how that's possible, but it is! www.hamptone.com/products/hoc1Keep in mind that most compressors don't tell you how hard they hit with the attack time, rendering the response time metric rather ambiguous. There's big difference between 1.5 MS for 20 dB of reduction and 1.5 MS for 1 dB of reduction. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2022 0:20:58 GMT -6
I like diode-bridge type compression to accomplish what you're looking for, mrholmes . Something like a 2264 (or its ilk) does a lot of what you like about the fat and gooey opto LF and transient-eating, but they can react much more quickly that your typical opto (though FWIW LA3As are pretty dang fast) I'm not overly keen on the bridge diode's in my Shelford for certain things (a bit too much grit), great EQ and pre though.. If I'm looking for something thick or smooth it's always an Opto or Mu, had a Nu-Mu, IGS tubecore and just recently bought the 500 version of the IGS. Need the rack before I can test it but from memory at least it was pretty cool, it's fast if you need it to be and works on drums absolutely fine. Also got the Chandler TG Opto on its way, will report back as I'm fussy about my 2A's / Opto's. I have a Tele 2A and a Stam at the moment which are both very good, if the Chandler doesn't work out (for any reason) I've been given the go ahead to swap it with an Acme Opto. |
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Post by bricejchandler on Jan 24, 2022 0:48:28 GMT -6
I like diode-bridge type compression to accomplish what you're looking for, mrholmes . Something like a 2264 (or its ilk) does a lot of what you like about the fat and gooey opto LF and transient-eating, but they can react much more quickly that your typical opto (though FWIW LA3As are pretty dang fast) I'm not overly keen on the bridge diode's in my Shelford for certain things (a bit too much grit), great EQ and pre though.. If I'm looking for something thick or smooth it's always an Opto or Mu, had a Nu-Mu, IGS tubecore and just recently bought the 500 version of the IGS. Need the rack before I can test it but from memory at least it was pretty cool, it's fast if you need it to be and works on drums absolutely fine. Also got the Chandler TG Opto on its way, will report back as I'm fussy about my 2A's / Opto's. I have a Tele 2A and a Stam at the moment which are both very good, if the Chandler doesn't work out (for any reason) I've been given the go ahead to swap it with an Acme Opto. The Acme Opto is insane. I love that comp. It is really hit or miss because of how much color it adds to the signal but if you're into that sound, when it works it works!! I love it to really fatten up a snare drum. The Plugin Alliance plug, though obviously nowhere near as good as the hardware, should still give you an idea of the overall vibe. |
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Post by thehightenor on Jan 24, 2022 1:45:21 GMT -6
Pair of Buzz Essence 500 series optos.
Those optos can be pretty fast and responsive.
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Post by nick8801 on Jan 24, 2022 5:23:45 GMT -6
Just another +1 on the Buzz SOC. I really regret selling mine.
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Post by nick8801 on Jan 24, 2022 5:27:43 GMT -6
Speak of the devil....just saw this....
Buzz Audio Velox Discrete Compressor
Updated version of the SOC. Side chain and mix, plus a transformer out option...hmmm
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Post by bricejchandler on Jan 24, 2022 6:03:17 GMT -6
Speak of the devil....just saw this.... Buzz Audio Velox Discrete Compressor Updated version of the SOC. Side chain and mix, plus a transformer out option...hmmm Wow! Very nice features. I always really liked the Soc on acoustic instruments. The addition of a wet/dry mix for acoustic instruments is awesome. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2022 6:45:22 GMT -6
The Hamptone HOC1 does 20 dB of compression in 1.5 MS. I have one, it's really faaaaaast when you want it to be, while still doing the opto smoothing. I'm not sure how that's possible, but it is! www.hamptone.com/products/hoc1Keep it mind that most compressors don't tell you how hard they hit with the attack time, rendering the response time metric rather ambiguous. There's big difference between 1.5 MS for 20 dB of reduction and 1.5 MS for 1 dB of reduction. Yeah the numbers are truly meaningless. They only mean that somewhere at sometime in the operation, the smoothing filter of the gain reduction does an undefined number of decibels in the listed amount of time. Not that ancient compressors are logarithmic or that feedback and timing automation (level dependent time constants in feed forward can have identical results to feedback compression) don’t change the filter constantly. |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jan 24, 2022 7:20:18 GMT -6
The spectra 610 has an incredibly fast peak limiter in it. Super effective. Always loved 1176/3A combo. I’d love to have a front end with like 8 of the spectra “complimiters” ...someday! For some reason I feel like they never really caught on for the peak limiter use. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2022 7:34:02 GMT -6
As bricejchandler stated, it's commonplace to pair an Opto with a 76. The Opto rides the waves, the 76 levels the peaks. in the end, you can control how much compression you hear and the tonal changes and have very controlled audio program material! There have been 40 years of massive filter improvements over the past to do the peak limiting and the leveling at the same time. Less IMD, grit, and mouth noises  People are just stuck in the 70s. Then the clown ahem clone gear can’t even get the filters right. |
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Post by sean on Jan 24, 2022 9:12:40 GMT -6
The spectra 610 has an incredibly fast peak limiter in it. Super effective. Always loved 1176/3A combo. I’d love to have a front end with like 8 of the spectra “complimiters” ...someday! For some reason I feel like they never really caught on for the peak limiter use. That’s what I use my pair of V610’s for on the mix buss. Becoming popular with mastering engineers as well. The STX600 can work this way, same circuit as a 610. It can go into compressor mode with a fixed slope, but it depends on how you set it. There’s a studio I occasional track at that has some and they work great on drums. I’m sure for mixing it work great for your application. I’ve been thinking about selling a few preamps and getting a few STX600 to use this way. Just traded a drum kit for a third V610, sent it off to Bill @ Spectra for a tune up. |
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