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Post by craigmorris74 on Feb 14, 2021 15:53:24 GMT -6
Hi Folks,
A while back, I started a thread about buying a vari-mu compressor for tracking purposes. I ended up with the IGS Tubecore 500, and I've been very satisfied with the purchase.
Now I'm in the market for a vari mu mix bus compressor. I've got a few candidates: Manley Vari Mu Gyraf Gyratec X Thermionic Phoenix IGS Tubecore 3U Tegeler HTC
I'd love to hear of anyone's experiences with any of these units.
Thanks, Craig
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Post by the other mark williams on Feb 14, 2021 16:01:45 GMT -6
I absolutely love the Manley Vari-Mu on mix bus. It's just gorgeous.
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Post by wiz on Feb 14, 2021 16:43:36 GMT -6
I absolutely love the Manley Vari-Mu on mix bus. It's just gorgeous. If the hardware is as good as the uad plug in.....it would be killer
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 14, 2021 16:59:13 GMT -6
Next to ampex, I’d say vari mu is my #2 UA plug. I would think the HW superb!
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Post by the other mark williams on Feb 14, 2021 17:11:25 GMT -6
I absolutely love the Manley Vari-Mu on mix bus. It's just gorgeous. If the hardware is as good as the uad plug in.....it would be killer I know this will sound a little crazy, but I’ve never used the UAD, only the hardware. Well, I got the Pulsar plugin back in December. It’s quite nice too, actually.
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Post by timcampbell on Feb 14, 2021 17:42:15 GMT -6
Well I have a Gyraf GX as a mix compressor the last 15 years. ICP Studios in Brussels has 3 of them, 2 Manleys and a real Fairchild 670 and they use the Gyrafs almost exclusively.
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 14, 2021 17:52:26 GMT -6
Id go for the G22 if you get a Gyraf. More controls for the bus like M/S more and Sidechain filters.
That's just me though.
I have an IGS Tubecore 3u Mastering. It's nice, I quite like it.
Id probably get the G22 or Manley for my next tube buss compressor though.
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Post by seawell on Feb 14, 2021 18:04:33 GMT -6
I only had 1 but I can imagine a pair of RS124 would sound awesome on the 2 Buss.
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Post by drbill on Feb 14, 2021 18:16:20 GMT -6
I've got a few candidates: Manley Vari Mu Thanks, Craig There you go Craig. Can't possibly go wrong there. For mix buss / mastering, I like a dual stereo unit rather than 2 mono units. For me, the Manley holds stereo perfectly, while other comps that I love are not quite as L/R identical between units. Built like a proverbial tank, gorgeous on stereo material, long lasting, priced fairly - what's not a win? For me, the Locomotive 14B is very close, and sometimes wins over the Manley for more modern stuff - due to it's huge sonic footprint and slightly more open sound - but the Manley always tracks stereo perfectly, and sounds like I want a stereo comp to sound. It's great to have two options....
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Post by indiehouse on Feb 14, 2021 21:42:39 GMT -6
I used a Tubecore 3U today on my stereo buss. It really adds an expensive sheen. Lifts the top end in a really pleasing way. You can really drive it too, by cranking the gain knobs. Stereo or M/S. I’ve got some 6386 tubes to swap in, but haven’t gotten to it. Maybe tomorrow.
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Post by plinker on Feb 14, 2021 23:21:56 GMT -6
How is that Tubecore working for you on tracks?
or is it?
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Post by ab101 on Feb 14, 2021 23:48:18 GMT -6
A shout out for the Highland Dynamics BG1. Very happy with it. Nevertheless, the locomotive 14bs are on my short list to try out - because I love that company and my 286a.
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Post by EmRR on Feb 15, 2021 10:32:07 GMT -6
There’s a lot to like about the Manley, my concern with them is they erase some of the lows. I haven’t tried one with the side chain hpf to know if it fixes that. I don’t know any of the others, I do know a lot of vintage vari-mu that don’t erase the lows, some enhance them. Not a fair standard of comparison when the question is ‘new’.
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Post by craigmorris74 on Feb 15, 2021 12:18:43 GMT -6
I was afraid there would be lots of recommendations for the Manley! Not easy on my wallet, but I'm about to sell my fishing boat, so I'll have some cash for a big purchase.
My only concern with going with the Manley is that when using the UAD and Pulsar versions, I'm always using the Mix control, and my OTB workflow isn't set up for that.
anybody heard the Tegeler? It's so cheap!
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Post by Chad on Feb 15, 2021 12:20:10 GMT -6
I used a Tubecore 3U today on my stereo buss. It really adds an expensive sheen. Lifts the top end in a really pleasing way. You can really drive it too, by cranking the gain knobs. Stereo or M/S. I’ve got some 6386 tubes to swap in, but haven’t gotten to it. Maybe tomorrow. Ditto! I love my IGS Tubecore 3U too!
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Post by Tbone81 on Feb 15, 2021 12:54:31 GMT -6
So I know this isn’t what you asked for but the Buzz Audio DBC can work really well in the mix bus. It’s a diode bridge comp but behaves like a vari-mu.
I mention it as a lower cost alternative to some of the other really nice pieces already mentioned. I feel like Buzz Audio doesn’t get enough recognition. Anyway, I know it’s not what you’re looking for but I thought it might help someone else reading this thread.
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Post by plinker on Feb 15, 2021 13:34:49 GMT -6
I used a Tubecore 3U today on my stereo buss. It really adds an expensive sheen. Lifts the top end in a really pleasing way. You can really drive it too, by cranking the gain knobs. Stereo or M/S. I’ve got some 6386 tubes to swap in, but haven’t gotten to it. Maybe tomorrow. Ditto! I love my IGS Tubecore 3U too! How is it on individual tracks?
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Post by the other mark williams on Feb 15, 2021 14:06:00 GMT -6
[...] My only concern with going with the Manley is that when using the UAD and Pulsar versions, I'm always using the Mix control, and my OTB workflow isn't set up for that. [...] If you choose to go the Manley hardware route, I really don't think this would be a problem for you. I also dial in some "dry" on most plugin compressors to help it sound natural, but good hardware is just different and better - I never felt the need for a "mix" control when I used to use the Vari-Mu hardware a lot. It doesn't collapse on itself or choke out like most plugins do. It stays open.
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Post by craigmorris74 on Feb 15, 2021 14:07:15 GMT -6
Ditto! I love my IGS Tubecore 3U too! How is it on individual tracks? The 500 series is great for tracking. I've gotten some of my best drum overhead and room sounds with it. Fantastic on vocals and bass, too.
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Post by drbill on Feb 15, 2021 14:33:06 GMT -6
There’s a lot to like about the Manley, my concern with them is they erase some of the lows. I haven’t tried one with the side chain hpf to know if it fixes that. I don’t know any of the others, I do know a lot of vintage vari-mu that don’t erase the lows, some enhance them. Not a fair standard of comparison when the question is ‘new’. Doug - the HPF side chain is ALWAYS on on my Manley. I do not have a perceived problem with erased lows. Have not done any scientific tests though. Just smile tests. I wouldn't think of not using it. I don't even know what freq it's at - it just seems to WORK. <thumbsup>
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Post by nathaneldred on Feb 15, 2021 14:34:40 GMT -6
IGS Tubecore is great. It’s got a really wide sweet spot both tonally and in usage. It can be nicely used for tracking delicate instruments (piano, acoustic guitar, vocals) or more hard hitting like drums (including electronic, we’ve got quite a few customers using it in that application). Can be moderately cleanish to very colorful depending on settings.
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Post by drbill on Feb 15, 2021 14:35:40 GMT -6
[...] My only concern with going with the Manley is that when using the UAD and Pulsar versions, I'm always using the Mix control, and my OTB workflow isn't set up for that. [...] If you choose to go the Manley hardware route, I really don't think this would be a problem for you. I also dial in some "dry" on most plugin compressors to help it sound natural, but good hardware is just different and better - I never felt the need for a "mix" control when I used to use the Vari-Mu hardware a lot. It doesn't collapse on itself or choke out like most plugins do. It stays open.I can second this. For me, outboard comps scream for wet/dry mixes, but when you get a great one like the Locomotives or Manley - they just seem to work great without the need for blending which I always use on ITB plug comps.
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Post by brenta on Feb 15, 2021 19:28:24 GMT -6
I was afraid there would be lots of recommendations for the Manley! Not easy on my wallet, but I'm about to sell my fishing boat, so I'll have some cash for a big purchase. My only concern with going with the Manley is that when using the UAD and Pulsar versions, I'm always using the Mix control, and my OTB workflow isn't set up for that. anybody heard the Tegeler? It's so cheap! I haven't used the Tegeler gear personally, but they do have some really good demo videos out there. I've been eyeing the Schwerkraftmaschine for a while now. That's the one I'd be leaning towards out of all of these choices due to the plugin control/recall. That effortless do-nothing recall just makes it so much more usable for me. It has lots of interesting modes built into it too. I wish there was more user feedback available on some of the Tegeler gear. I've never encountered it in the wild and its hard to find reviews.
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Post by boostudio on Feb 15, 2021 20:19:29 GMT -6
I apologize for muddying the waters but I’ve used the Retro Revolver for about 2 years now and can only say that it’s truly beautiful sounding. I have a proclivity towards taking things over the top and the revolver can get there easily, but it always sounds wider, bigger, better ... once it’s inserted, I can’t suffer removing it. Of course, try before you buy! -Rich
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Post by Tbone81 on Feb 15, 2021 20:45:09 GMT -6
I apologize for muddying the waters but I’ve used the Retro Revolver for about 2 years now and can only say that it’s truly beautiful sounding. I have a proclivity towards taking things over the top and the revolver can get there easily, but it always sounds wider, bigger, better ... once it’s inserted, I can’t suffer removing it. Of course, try before you buy! -Rich The Revolver looks like a killer piece. How is it at tracking?
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