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Post by OtisGreying on Aug 11, 2020 1:18:46 GMT -6
Trying to decide whether I should buy my first outboard compressor or not, serving the purpose of either vocal compression or mix bus compression. Having just gotten into 500 series stuff I'm thinking it'd be cool to go 500 series with this as they tend to be less expensive, so, which one of yours do you cherish most?
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Post by timcampbell on Aug 11, 2020 2:08:34 GMT -6
I would say if this is going to be your only hardware compressor I wouldn't limit myself by deciding before hand that it be in a 500 series format. By going that route you are posibly limiting what functions the copressor is capable of and your choices. That said there are some wonderful 500 series compressors. If it were me I would look around for a good deal on a used full function, even perhaps, stereo compressor. Fet, vca, tube, there are a lot of variables. Perhaps you could tell us what software compressors have you used that you prefer or if you are interested in one that is neutral or one that imparts more character?
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Post by Ward on Aug 11, 2020 6:34:40 GMT -6
The 500 series is flooded with starving electronics, some even sound OK. audioscape have a new LA3a in 500 format named the V3a. There's also the Retro Double-Wide. And API compressors.
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Post by nick8801 on Aug 11, 2020 6:40:07 GMT -6
The inward connections brute I had was great for vocal compression. Like it wasn’t even there. I miss that one a lot. I don’t think I quite appreciated what it was back in the day. I was always chasing more colored gear.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 8:59:54 GMT -6
Yes - several great options. The ones I’ve heard/owned and really likes were the Chandler TG Opto, CAPI 526, Brute...I’m interested in the VL3A. Heard great things about the Serpent Audio stuff.
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Post by matt@IAA on Aug 11, 2020 9:12:28 GMT -6
The prototype on my test bench sounds pretty killer.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2020 9:13:58 GMT -6
CAPI 526 is really nice. Compared to my MC77, it seems cleaner to me, but it has the familiar action of an 1176 when you choose similar settings. From a financial standpoint it's a no brainer if you're handy with a soldering iron. It's a challenging build, but I enjoyed it.
I'd look at the Hairball stuff too. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with any of their options. Friend of mine has a pair of the Rev A's and raves about them. Definitely on my shortlist.
For mix buss compression (and lately drums), I have a TK Audio BC501, which is like a more useful and full-featured SSL. I love it. The added HPF, mix and ratios adds a lot of envelope shaping capabilities. I don't find the SSL to be as satisfying.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 11:15:45 GMT -6
The prototype on my test bench sounds pretty killer. Aw hell...bring it
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 11:18:32 GMT -6
CAPI 526 is really nice. Compared to my MC77, it seems cleaner to me, but it has the familiar action of an 1176 when you choose similar settings. From a financial standpoint it's a no brainer if you're handy with a soldering iron. It's a challenging build, but I enjoyed it. I'd look at the Hairball stuff too. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with any of their options. Friend of mine has a pair of the Rev A's and raves about them. Definitely on my shortlist. For mix buss compression (and lately drums), I have a TK Audio BC501, which is like a more useful and full-featured SSL. I love it. The added HPF, mix and ratios adds a lot of envelope shaping capabilities. I don't find the SSL to be as satisfying. It's a build I don't think I could handle. Wonder what someonw would charge to build it? I thought it was like the perfect tracking comp. Fantastic, fast control with color...but year, it wouldn't get as dirty as say an 1176. Although, really crushing with ABI 1176 was probably considered a "limitiation" of that circuit...but that distortion has become its own thing.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Aug 11, 2020 12:49:18 GMT -6
The prototype on my test bench sounds pretty killer. The clips you sent me not only impressed me but also about 25 high school kids! I forgot the kid was in the other room “ going to school online’. Matt made me the cool dad!
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Post by drbill on Aug 11, 2020 15:33:04 GMT -6
Without a doubt in my mind it would be the Serpent Splice. (1176). Following that would be the Serpent Chimera (3a) or the AudioScape 3a (which I haven't heard yet, but I'm confident it's great.)
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Post by deehope on Aug 11, 2020 16:30:56 GMT -6
CAPI 526 is really nice. Compared to my MC77, it seems cleaner to me, but it has the familiar action of an 1176 when you choose similar settings. From a financial standpoint it's a no brainer if you're handy with a soldering iron. It's a challenging build, but I enjoyed it. I'd look at the Hairball stuff too. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with any of their options. Friend of mine has a pair of the Rev A's and raves about them. Definitely on my shortlist. For mix buss compression (and lately drums), I have a TK Audio BC501, which is like a more useful and full-featured SSL. I love it. The added HPF, mix and ratios adds a lot of envelope shaping capabilities. I don't find the SSL to be as satisfying. It's a build I don't think I could handle. Wonder what someonw would charge to build it? I thought it was like the perfect tracking comp. Fantastic, fast control with color...but year, it wouldn't get as dirty as say an 1176. Although, really crushing with ABI 1176 was probably considered a "limitiation" of that circuit...but that distortion has become its own thing. Its still on my list because of this description. what about the build makes it difficult. That was my next build but now I'm cautious lol
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Post by deehope on Aug 11, 2020 16:32:06 GMT -6
The prototype on my test bench sounds pretty killer. are you selling it as a kit?
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Post by matt@IAA on Aug 11, 2020 20:08:30 GMT -6
Not selling it at all any time soon. Just have a first working prototype.
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Post by dagogo on Aug 11, 2020 20:09:53 GMT -6
Not sure if 500 series comp is best approach for your goals, you will need 2 (pricey) or a stereo unit (limited options).
Consider a Daking FET III
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 20:45:29 GMT -6
The prototype on my test bench sounds pretty killer. The clips you sent me not only impressed me but also about 25 high school kids! I forgot the kid was in the other room “ going to school online’. Matt made me the cool dad! Uh matt@IAA I like files
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 20:48:28 GMT -6
Btw - it took me ten minutes to find your @ name now that you changed it to matt@iaa
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 20:49:51 GMT -6
Why doesn’t someone do a stereo fet 3 unit 500? Total stereo crush box? Parallel drum bus machine?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2020 21:12:56 GMT -6
...had so many before I went ITB. Standouts in 500 series modules were brutes (had a pair...top class). Very smooth and clean but has MOJO. No pumping.
Elysia Xpressor 500 if you want versatility and bang for buck. Stereo, German made. Not much MOJO but it's FAST and can sound great.
I'd look at the jlm opto - never tried though.
Acme opticom 500 worth trying too.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2020 21:38:59 GMT -6
Some guy named Jerome that used to post here liked the Retro DWII. I thought the original added a little midrange honk.
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 11, 2020 23:31:41 GMT -6
You can't have a 500 Series thread without some folks dumping on them. It's a basic rule of the internet! I have one of THESE and I love it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 0:23:51 GMT -6
Hye op, vocal compression and mix bus compression are two different things that require different tools. For vox, you want 2 comps. One for peaks, one for leveling. Think the 1176 followed by LA2A. Or the FMR RNC and RNLA if you were barely getting by in 2005. Mix bus compression is a whole different ballgame. If you only want one thing, why not get something like the new Daking vca comp? I'm sure that thing can do the job in both dual mono and stereo and you know it will sound good because it's Daking. The problem with the FET III was the slow release iirc. It couldn't do it all.
If you really want one thing to do it all, the only things that can do it all are the psycho plugin comps that take an hour to to set up like Presswerk. After a few beers, that thing just confuses me. I'm drinking now and looking at that thing. Why?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 12, 2020 4:37:20 GMT -6
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Post by Ward on Aug 12, 2020 6:18:04 GMT -6
Google reported this was an unsafe redirecting url
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 12, 2020 6:57:55 GMT -6
Google reported this was an unsafe redirecting url Give me your address and social security number and I'll put you on a list to mail you an image of the item. That way I can keep track of who's seen it.
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