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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2017 7:22:29 GMT -6
I see the gear pimps supreme VK have posted a new video shoot out with multiple compressors on a vocal.
I was impressed with a boutique company called Highland Dynamics which i wasn't familiar with..
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Post by johneppstein on Jun 29, 2017 16:01:16 GMT -6
I see the gear pimps supreme VK have posted a new video shoot out with multiple compressors on a vocal. I was impressed with a boutique company called Highland Dynamics which i wasn't familiar with.. I don't understand how anyone could do a "vocal compressor shootout" that could actually MEAN anything to anybody except maybe a sales weasel trying to sell compressors. To know how a compressor actually behaves requires using it in real world applications for at least a session or two - you can't really judge it in a "shootout" situation. Unless it's something that's REALLY simplistic like one of those "one knob squeezer" thingies, anyway. Anything really meaninful requires living with it for a bit. It's not like a fuzz pedal. |
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Post by drsax on Jun 29, 2017 18:47:47 GMT -6
I enjoyed listening to the differences between all these compressors. I like pretty much all of them, haha. RS 124, the tube tech, and the retro stuff all sounds great to me. As does the BG2. And the Acme sounds very cool too. I've never heard that one before. I've got the STA level here and I love it. I'd be interested to get my hands on all these though and find the sweet spot of each compressor, to me that would be even more useful than hearing level matching comparisons.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 29, 2017 19:56:41 GMT -6
I see the gear pimps supreme VK have posted a new video shoot out with multiple compressors on a vocal. I was impressed with a boutique company called Highland Dynamics which i wasn't familiar with.. I don't understand how anyone could do a "vocal compressor shootout" that could actually MEAN anything to anybody except maybe a sales weasel trying to sell compressors. To know how a compressor actually behaves requires using it in real world applications for at least a session or two - you can't really judge it in a "shootout" situation. Unless it's something that's REALLY simplistic like one of those "one knob squeezer" thingies, anyway. Anything really meaninful requires living with it for a bit. It's not like a fuzz pedal. |
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Post by johneppstein on Jun 29, 2017 20:59:38 GMT -6
I enjoyed listening to the differences between all these compressors. I like pretty much all of them, haha. RS 124, the tube tech, and the retro stuff all sounds great to me. As does the BG2. And the Acme sounds very cool too. I've never heard that one before. I've got the STA level here and I love it. I'd be interested to get my hands on all these though and find the sweet spot of each compressor, to me that would be even more useful than hearing level matching comparisons. Yeah. I'm not much of one for internet demos, but even giving the limitations of that medium I'd find a more in depth exploration of a unit like a compressor much more useful than a "shootout" type thing. I mean, I'm not really interested in "level matching comparisons" - that doesn't really have a hell of a lot to do with why people choose one comp over another for vocals, really, is it? |
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Post by johneppstein on Jun 29, 2017 21:01:26 GMT -6
I don't understand how anyone could do a "vocal compressor shootout" that could actually MEAN anything to anybody except maybe a sales weasel trying to sell compressors. To know how a compressor actually behaves requires using it in real world applications for at least a session or two - you can't really judge it in a "shootout" situation. Unless it's something that's REALLY simplistic like one of those "one knob squeezer" thingies, anyway. Anything really meaninful requires living with it for a bit. It's not like a fuzz pedal. Nope, not nearly fat enough.  |
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Post by guitfiddler on Jun 29, 2017 21:12:53 GMT -6
The Highland Dynamics has a depth, clarity, and it adds weight in the low end. I love it on vocals, they just sit solid and huge in the middle. I didn't really hear that in this video, but it is an amazing piece.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jun 29, 2017 22:05:32 GMT -6
I understand where you're coming from John, and wouldn't argue your points, but I've often found these kind of shootouts quite helpful.
I've picked mics to try this way, and been 100% satisfied it sounded like the files I'd heard. I've also gained insight from amplifier demos too. I was surprised at my preferences. I recognized the LA2A because I have one, and didn't like it. My choices were Tube Tech first, it had intimacy and yet there was balance and width. My second favorite was the Retro 176. It reminded me of an 1176, but was less heavy handed. Third was the Chandler. I could live with that thing happily, I thought it was them most transparent.
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Post by johneppstein on Jun 30, 2017 16:05:38 GMT -6
I understand where you're coming from John, and wouldn't argue your points, but I've often found these kind of shootouts quite helpful. I've picked mics to try this way, and been 100% satisfied it sounded like the files I'd heard. I've also gained insight from amplifier demos too. I was surprised at my preferences. I recognized the LA2A because I have one, and didn't like it. My choices were Tube Tech first, it had intimacy and yet there was balance and width. My second favorite was the Retro 176. It reminded me of an 1176, but was less heavy handed. Third was the Chandler. I could live with that thing happily, I thought it was them most transparent. Some devices are more amenable to "comparison by shootout" than others. Mics are definitely one of those classes of devices*. Generally, the simpler the function of the device, the more likely it is that a (fair, well conducted) shootout might be useful. With compressors there are too many aspects that are difficult, if not impossible, to really quantify that are crucial in choosing one or another unit for a specific audio task. Many times the factors that are key to the choice aren't even really directly related to the compression function per se, and even when they are directly related the relationship is sufficiently complex that a simplistic mass comparison along basic "specs" doesn't give you the information you really need. I actually find anecdotal information from people whose experience and taste I personally trust to be far more useful, absent the possibility of getting a loaner for tryout. * - assuming that the mic shootout is well thought out and conducted, and not subjected to "cheating" via post processing. My main bitch about mic shootouts is the practice of using "generically equal" positioning, rather than attempting to determine optimum positioning for each mic. However, doing it that way could get very labor intensive, fast. My other complaint about mic shootouts (and most mic demos) is that they tend to ignore off-axis performance. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jun 30, 2017 16:35:03 GMT -6
I overlooked off axis performance when choosing a mic and only realized after the fact that off axis performance was weak. The sound changes I was hearing were me moving around, just a little. With a U47, 67 or 87, I never have that problem.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2017 2:56:30 GMT -6
i would agree with everything in the thread, hadn't heard of Highland Dynamics - i'll have to check it out one day in the far off future.
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Post by sean on Jul 1, 2017 10:48:23 GMT -6
I have a BG-2, definitely my favorite vocal compressor compared to the LA-2A, TLA-100A, and FC526 I have. Honestly I'd tried to like my LA-2A (NOS tubes) but it just doesn't really "do it" for me. I'd like to trade/sell it for a Retro 176 or maybe something like a Phoenix...the Opticon is like a more grungy LA-2A, at least to my ears. The CL-1B sounds great to me in that example, it has a nice "airy" quality that suits the vocal.
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Post by ChaseUTB on Jul 1, 2017 11:49:08 GMT -6
Ok so I hear varying amounts of compression especially in the solo vocal ...
The acme opticom is tube opto ( I believe ) but they were slamming the piss out of it.. was also the most noisy unit. I felt the rs124 could have been pushed a bit more to match the bg2 and STA... .The tube tech wasn't being hit that hard either because it folds in on strong male Vox approaching -10 Db of reduction. The Sta and 176 are impressive and quiet... the la2a did not impress me here, not sure if he wasn't hitting it right or what...
I will have to go back and compare the Cl1b to the rs124 to hear what the rs124 is doing color/ compression wise.. with the bg2 being hit harder I felt it's character out shined the rs124 here...
Mannnn oh man that 176 and sta sound phenomenal
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 1, 2017 20:30:29 GMT -6
I really liked the sound of the chandler.
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Post by adamjbrass on Jul 6, 2017 11:54:38 GMT -6
I don't think he was using that STA-Level correctly,
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Post by ChaseUTB on Jul 6, 2017 22:28:29 GMT -6
I don't think he was using that STA-Level correctly, I agree he was hitting all of them in varying amounts... some you could hear he did take the time to " listen " to the compression. I know you are always busy but if you did something like this I think a lot of people would appreciate it... I don't know if compressor sales would justify the means for you though idk ... Semi OT rant While i am at it.... I am sick of companies hiring support or " knowledgeable " staff who are the exact opposite... that goes for Native Instruments, Studio One, Vintage King, Sweetwater, and CD baby... How do I know more about these companies policies/ products than them and this is their paid job |
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Post by adamjbrass on Jul 7, 2017 6:15:45 GMT -6
I don't think he was using that STA-Level correctly, I agree he was hitting all of them in varying amounts... some you could hear he did take the time to " listen " to the compression. I know you are always busy but if you did something like this I think a lot of people would appreciate it... I don't know if compressor sales would justify the means for you though idk ... Semi OT rant While i am at it.... I am sick of companies hiring support or " knowledgeable " staff who are the exact opposite... that goes for Native Instruments, Studio One, Vintage King, Sweetwater, and CD baby... How do I know more about these companies policies/ products than them and this is their paid job I have used all these compressors and they are much more fun when you actually use them. All of them are awesome. Anyone's preference is a moving target depending on a gaggzlllion things. Setting them up the exact same way on the track, is...what it is....But its dumb if you ask me. Each of them have a different sweet spot, depending on the track, the mix, whatcha going for...etc etc etc x10,000....we get it...no way to really know...how Chase or Adam would use ANY of these boxes and HOW they would use them, for THAT particular artist, in that particular production. So I guess my above comment is actually kinda selfish....but I have used a Sta Level, and this nerd isn't doing it any justice. You are supposed to turn it up until you get a smile on your face. I don't like the way it sounds when you "barely touch" the compression. That is just dumb...Full Stop....Don't buy it to "barely touch it"....you are going to be limp in the shorts. I have also owned that Acme box for a while....I could hear it here...barely. The Chandler is serious to me. Almost like making love to God. Anyway, I have done some videos for U-Tube, and I am ramping that up, But as I watched the Vintage Weenie Video, I felt it was dumb and did all that gear an injustice. The Vocals were not even loud....which doesn't matter much, but thats just ONE way to use the damn things. Why not TURN The knobs around in every direction to see what they do, or if ANY of what YOU ARE DOING, is of ANY interest to me. I have been shooting out of a lot of single channel compressors lately........I think they got the idea from me...... But that's my stupid ego talking...... If I had, $35,000, I could have already ordered the unit I liked best. But since I don't have that much money to order all these, [and sell the ones I don't like].....I decided to become a gear pimp, run my own business and try everything under the sun. Whenever I get a chance I will do U-tube stuff, and try my best to show off the units....but I probably would rather eat bees than follow the guidelines of this type of "shootout"... Personally, I would have perfered him to have a pair of balls and use the units, sweep around with them.....and Pick something that he liked best. But that would be "biased" yadda yadda yadda, however I am much more interested in the stylistic approach. Maybe not from this company though, another day...... |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 13:27:28 GMT -6
I agree he was hitting all of them in varying amounts... some you could hear he did take the time to " listen " to the compression. I know you are always busy but if you did something like this I think a lot of people would appreciate it... I don't know if compressor sales would justify the means for you though idk ... Semi OT rant While i am at it.... I am sick of companies hiring support or " knowledgeable " staff who are the exact opposite... that goes for Native Instruments, Studio One, Vintage King, Sweetwater, and CD baby... How do I know more about these companies policies/ products than them and this is their paid job I have used all these compressors and they are much more fun when you actually use them. All of them are awesome. Anyone's preference is a moving target depending on a gaggzlllion things. Setting them up the exact same way on the track, is...what it is....But its dumb if you ask me. Each of them have a different sweet spot, depending on the track, the mix, whatcha going for...etc etc etc x10,000....we get it...no way to really know...how Chase or Adam would use ANY of these boxes and HOW they would use them, for THAT particular artist, in that particular production. So I guess my above comment is actually kinda selfish....but I have used a Sta Level, and this nerd isn't doing it any justice. You are supposed to turn it up until you get a smile on your face. I don't like the way it sounds when you "barely touch" the compression. That is just dumb...Full Stop....Don't buy it to "barely touch it"....you are going to be limp in the shorts. I have also owned that Acme box for a while....I could hear it here...barely. The Chandler is serious to me. Almost like making love to God. Anyway, I have done some videos for U-Tube, and I am ramping that up, But as I watched the Vintage Weenie Video, I felt it was dumb and did all that gear an injustice. The Vocals were not even loud....which doesn't matter much, but thats just ONE way to use the damn things. Why not TURN The knobs around in every direction to see what they do, or if ANY of what YOU ARE DOING, is of ANY interest to me. I have been shooting out of a lot of single channel compressors lately........I think they got the idea from me...... But that's my stupid ego talking...... If I had, $35,000, I could have already ordered the unit I liked best. But since I don't have that much money to order all these, [and sell the ones I don't like].....I decided to become a gear pimp, run my own business and try everything under the sun. Whenever I get a chance I will do U-tube stuff, and try my best to show off the units....but I probably would rather eat bees than follow the guidelines of this type of "shootout"... Personally, I would have perfered him to have a pair of balls and use the units, sweep around with them.....and Pick something that he liked best. But that would be "biased" yadda yadda yadda, however I am much more interested in the stylistic approach. Maybe not from this company though, another day...... Couldn't agree more. I own the Sta-level and have owned the RS124...and the 176...and a cl1b. (I have a problem). The Sta - IMO - just does what I want a vocal compressor to do. Transparent gain reduction with major tone in the low mids and bottom. The 124 is more flexible with the same magic GR (you can hit this and the sta with -30 GR and it still be usable)...but to me, it has more of that 60s low-mid vibe. It's just a bass guitar monster. I would say the 176 is more similar to the 124 but slightly cleaner. The CL1B being and opto seemed to add a sheen to me and less bottom end that the sta. I ultimately settled on the sta because of the tone and the fact that I wanted the best comp for my voice. I could see very easily how someone might prefer the 124. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 14:05:52 GMT -6
I have used all these compressors and they are much more fun when you actually use them. All of them are awesome. Anyone's preference is a moving target depending on a gaggzlllion things. Setting them up the exact same way on the track, is...what it is....But its dumb if you ask me. Each of them have a different sweet spot, depending on the track, the mix, whatcha going for...etc etc etc x10,000....we get it...no way to really know...how Chase or Adam would use ANY of these boxes and HOW they would use them, for THAT particular artist, in that particular production. So I guess my above comment is actually kinda selfish....but I have used a Sta Level, and this nerd isn't doing it any justice. You are supposed to turn it up until you get a smile on your face. I don't like the way it sounds when you "barely touch" the compression. That is just dumb...Full Stop....Don't buy it to "barely touch it"....you are going to be limp in the shorts. I have also owned that Acme box for a while....I could hear it here...barely. The Chandler is serious to me. Almost like making love to God. Anyway, I have done some videos for U-Tube, and I am ramping that up, But as I watched the Vintage Weenie Video, I felt it was dumb and did all that gear an injustice. The Vocals were not even loud....which doesn't matter much, but thats just ONE way to use the damn things. Why not TURN The knobs around in every direction to see what they do, or if ANY of what YOU ARE DOING, is of ANY interest to me. I have been shooting out of a lot of single channel compressors lately........I think they got the idea from me...... But that's my stupid ego talking...... If I had, $35,000, I could have already ordered the unit I liked best. But since I don't have that much money to order all these, [and sell the ones I don't like].....I decided to become a gear pimp, run my own business and try everything under the sun. Whenever I get a chance I will do U-tube stuff, and try my best to show off the units....but I probably would rather eat bees than follow the guidelines of this type of "shootout"... Personally, I would have perfered him to have a pair of balls and use the units, sweep around with them.....and Pick something that he liked best. But that would be "biased" yadda yadda yadda, however I am much more interested in the stylistic approach. Maybe not from this company though, another day...... Couldn't agree more. I own the Sta-level and have owned the RS124...and the 176...and a cl1b. (I have a problem). The Sta - IMO - just does what I want a vocal compressor to do. Transparent gain reduction with major tone in the low mids and bottom. The 124 is more flexible with the same magic GR (you can hit this and the sta with -30 GR and it still be usable)...but to me, it has more of that 60s low-mid vibe. It's just a bass guitar monster. I would say the 176 is more similar to the 124 but slightly cleaner. The CL1B being and opto seemed to add a sheen to me and less bottom end that the sta. I ultimately settled on the sta because of the tone and the fact that I wanted the best comp for my voice. I could see very easily how someone might prefer the 124. Problem what problem? I don't see a problem! The Sta- dose feel like a one trick pony compared to the 124, but when the Sta works it works. The RS124 lust has sort of put me off looking at other Comps for now, that and my lack of bank balance! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 16:30:44 GMT -6
I agonized over that decision.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 17:47:01 GMT -6
I agonized over that decision. That youdo but if you didn't we probably wouldn't be here! |
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Post by Ward on Jul 9, 2017 18:51:55 GMT -6
I own the Sta-level and have owned the RS124...and the 176...and a cl1b. (I have a problem). The only problem I see is that you (pardon my language) 'sell' things. <gasp> Which horrifies us hoarders. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 19:01:15 GMT -6
I'm a songwriter. I can't afford the tools of my profession.
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Post by Ward on Jul 9, 2017 19:10:22 GMT -6
I'm a songwriter. I can't afford the tools of my profession. Pass the collection plate or sell subscriptions. LOL |
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Post by Guitar on Jul 24, 2017 17:49:46 GMT -6
I hated the vocals, I hated the lyrics, but I loved the compressors. Maybe the Retro 176 was my favorite. But they were all good in their own way. I was surprised how much I did not like the Tube Tech on this vocal, just seemed a little too dark.
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