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Post by sparkey on Mar 26, 2024 13:37:26 GMT -6
Looking for an opto compressor to track with, something that does not affect the tone much
but puts the track in place and gives it a lift. some shine.
looking at
serpent chimara 500
Manley elop plus
the rupert neve MBT with the opto compressor.
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Post by FM77 on Mar 26, 2024 13:49:03 GMT -6
ELOP is effortless box. Unobtrusive, clean but vibey. Its the magic box for subtle tracking comp. It doesn't double on the 2-buss very well IME. But for tracking...yeah man, that's a great unit.
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Post by drbill on Mar 26, 2024 13:55:57 GMT -6
Love my Serpent SA3a's - and the Chimera is a direct descendant. 3a's are always a bit more my style over 2a's. but if you want some tube goodness in addition to the opto compression, look no further than the AudioScape "OPTO".
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Post by niklas1073 on Mar 26, 2024 14:36:36 GMT -6
Quess LA3a might tick a few of the boxes, though not too many clones out there I guess. Tube tech CL1b might be in the ball park? Quite transparent despite tube circuit.
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Post by ab101 on Mar 26, 2024 14:46:23 GMT -6
Buzz Audio SOC or Velox. 500 series - Essence or APA Leviathan.
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Post by sparkey on Mar 26, 2024 14:50:33 GMT -6
or anyone use a chandler RS124 for tracking? can it get transparent?
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Post by nudwig on Mar 26, 2024 15:18:54 GMT -6
Buzz Audio SOC or Velox. 500 series - Essence or APA Leviathan. I'm still honeymooning with my Essence but I vote that too. |
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Post by notneeson on Mar 26, 2024 15:28:09 GMT -6
I like my Audioscape 3a a lot.
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Post by thehightenor on Mar 26, 2024 16:16:46 GMT -6
or anyone use a chandler RS124 for tracking? can it get transparent? I have an Audioscape Opto (LA2A) and a Retro STA LEVEL. If you want transparent compression with very few artifacts then the STA is great. It can knock off 20dB without even sounding like its doing 5dB GR! But like the RS124 it does have a characterful tone - that's the nature of tubes and transformers. |
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Post by nick8801 on Mar 26, 2024 16:56:25 GMT -6
I used to love my Buzz SOC for that exact purpose. I foolishly sold it, but I did just grab an Audioscape 3a. It’s really excellent as well. They both add opto “glow”.
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Post by sean on Mar 26, 2024 16:57:45 GMT -6
Buzz SOC is a great choice for this. Also, I think overlooked is the Avalon AD2044
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Post by wiz on Mar 26, 2024 16:58:23 GMT -6
or anyone use a chandler RS124 for tracking? can it get transparent? I have an Audioscape Opto (LA2A) and a Retro STA LEVEL. If you want transparent compression with very few artifacts then the STA is great. It can knock off 20dB without even sounding like its doing 5dB GR! But like the RS124 it does have a characterful tone - that's the nature of tubes and transformers. I had two STA levels and 2 LA2A's when I had my hardware... the STA level is just fantastic to sing through.... cheers Wiz |
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Post by ironinthepath on Mar 26, 2024 17:05:56 GMT -6
If you’re looking for an opto that can be near invisible (or not), I also recommend the Buzz Audio SOC-20 or Essence. I recently bought a Manley ELOP too (not the +), it’s great but definitely has a sound. I really am a fan of both though. But don’t think the SOC-20 is ever leaving the rack.
I also have recent experience with the RS124 and Manley Vari Mu for vocals. I feel like the Vari Mu was my favorite for the particular music being considered. Both can do light duty or heavy duty compression, nice stuff. But the non-compressed sound going through any of these compressors is more noticeable than the Buzz SOC.
-Chris
Edit: should have added: the sound of the Manley Vari Mu in Compressor setting with some drive from the tubes is probably my flavor of the month or something, would choose that over the less visible choices for my purposes, sooo nice
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Post by Ward on Mar 26, 2024 18:08:46 GMT -6
Looking for an opto compressor to track with, something that does not affect the tone much snip 1. CL1b 2. stam SA2a (original) 3. Audioscape OPTO - easily argued it affects tone to the good. 4. LA3a - stiffer in response, but also affects the tone by bringing forward the brash presence overtly or covertly in the material. |
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Post by brenta on Mar 26, 2024 19:06:22 GMT -6
Inward Connections The Brute or Tree Audio L/C1 are worth looking at. The Brute has been discontinued but can probably be found used, the L/C1 is the newer version with Ratio control. They don’t have tubes like most optos and are known to not affect the tone as much when compressing.
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Post by geoff738 on Mar 26, 2024 20:06:04 GMT -6
Yeah I mentioned the Audioscape Vcomp in another thread. Their take on a Sta Level. Definitely a low mid thickening tone. Avert your eyes if you don’t want to see gobs of gr without discernable artifacts at least to these old ears.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by ab101 on Mar 26, 2024 20:31:56 GMT -6
Inward Connections The Brute or Tree Audio L/C1 are worth looking at. The Brute has been discontinued but can probably be found used, the L/C1 is the newer version with Ratio control. They don’t have tubes like most optos and are known to not affect the tone as much when compressing. Yes - those along with the Vac Rac which the Brute/Tree Audio is based upon/ The Vac Rac is great because it can do a tremendous amount of compression and still sound great. I hope Steve Firlotte starts getting these products out there again. |
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 26, 2024 21:02:03 GMT -6
Highland Dynamics BG-2
ACME Opticom XLA-3
Both very sweet in their own ways, and versatile!
BG-2 makes everything just sound bigger, fuller, better. Especially on the bucket of a vocal! Liquid smooth and just solid beauty! Clean to colored! Nice and versatile!
ACME adds some nice air and it can get aggressive, but it can also do smooth and silky. Nice and versatile!
Both can add attitude and vibe, both can also be clean, warm and buttery!
If I was more into the clean, warm, and buttery and colored that just sounds huge, I would choose the BG-2. If I was using it on a rock bass or rock vocal, although both would work I would probably choose the XLA-3 because of the bite and aggressiveness. Although they both work they do have a sound. You’d have to demo to figure out what you like. You can’t go wrong with either! They both kick some ass!
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Post by sparkey on Mar 26, 2024 21:28:59 GMT -6
How do you set the bg2 to sound clean and transparent? I have one
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 26, 2024 22:09:33 GMT -6
How do you set the bg2 to sound clean and transparent? I have one I set mine to British mode at 600 ohm for a cleaner more hi-fi sound. What source do you use it mainly on? Mine is mostly on vocals, but I wish I could get another one. It sounds great even with the compression off! I dig it! Then again I could use it on any source with stellar results |
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Post by theshea on Mar 27, 2024 0:11:40 GMT -6
me too. looking for a tracking replacement for the waves cla3a. i love how it sharpens electric guitars, brings forward presence. but i do not have any waves plugins anymore. so i‘d like to use a HW la3a for tracking. but money is tight. anyone have experience with the golden age project la3a?
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Post by thehightenor on Mar 27, 2024 0:50:08 GMT -6
Inward Connections The Brute or Tree Audio L/C1 are worth looking at. The Brute has been discontinued but can probably be found used, the L/C1 is the newer version with Ratio control. They don’t have tubes like most optos and are known to not affect the tone as much when compressing. Yes - those along with the Vac Rac which the Brute/Tree Audio is based upon/ The Vac Rac is great because it can do a tremendous amount of compression and still sound great. I hope Steve Firlotte starts getting these products out there again. JJ Blair, the well known producer/engineer, has racks of great outboard gear and for vocals he says he's been using the tube pre and compressor in the vac rac for the last 20 years! |
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Post by niklas1073 on Mar 27, 2024 3:53:10 GMT -6
me too. looking for a tracking replacement for the waves cla3a. i love how it sharpens electric guitars, brings forward presence. but i do not have any waves plugins anymore. so i‘d like to use a HW la3a for tracking. but money is tight. anyone have experience with the golden age project la3a? I don't have experience with the GAP, but one that might interest you is the Langevin ELOP. my friend has one and swears by it. His go-to tracking comp for a lot of sources. Very similar to la3a in. Worth while checking out. |
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Post by theshea on Mar 27, 2024 7:06:24 GMT -6
me too. looking for a tracking replacement for the waves cla3a. i love how it sharpens electric guitars, brings forward presence. but i do not have any waves plugins anymore. so i‘d like to use a HW la3a for tracking. but money is tight. anyone have experience with the golden age project la3a? I don't have experience with the GAP, but one that might interest you is the Langevin ELOP. my friend has one and swears by it. His go-to tracking comp for a lot of sources. Very similar to la3a in. Worth while checking out. costs to much |
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Post by niklas1073 on Mar 27, 2024 7:18:17 GMT -6
I don't have experience with the GAP, but one that might interest you is the Langevin ELOP. my friend has one and swears by it. His go-to tracking comp for a lot of sources. Very similar to la3a in. Worth while checking out. costs to much Yeah, I actually remembered it would have been slightly cheaper but noticed the same when i checked prices after commenting that it has quite a tag on it nowadays. |
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