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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 7, 2022 7:37:09 GMT -6
Just got a smart C1LA and I have been very hesitant to get a mix buss compressor cause I previously felt that UAD had done a good enough job on the SSL 4K bus comp plug-in after hearing YT shootouts. But I pulled the trigger. I did some shootouts and the UAD does well, but the C1LA has shown me the missing ingredient that has alluded me my whole mixing life which is DEPTH. The UAD SSL adds that "glue" but it congests the mix in comparison to the smart, like the uad has a sublte dull-smear thing specifically in the space between the elements of the mix that may have some conflicting frequency inflormation (I think that's what im hearing), whereas the smart retains the individual elements impact when it glues everything, the elements have their own space and place in the mix is what I feel when I hear it. Welp, not going back! I'm not a UAD owner, so I've never tried their version of the SSL bus comp directly, but I have tried most of the SSL bus comp-style plugins out there, and I am 100% with you. In my case, the hardware I have is the Audioscape Bus Comp, and really no plugin comes close IMO. I've had a handful of times where a plugin came close in a very particular situation or something, but overall, not close.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2022 10:52:24 GMT -6
Just got a smart C1LA and I have been very hesitant to get a mix buss compressor cause I previously felt that UAD had done a good enough job on the SSL 4K bus comp plug-in after hearing YT shootouts. But I pulled the trigger. I did some shootouts and the UAD does well, but the C1LA has shown me the missing ingredient that has alluded me my whole mixing life which is DEPTH. The UAD SSL adds that "glue" but it congests the mix in comparison to the smart, like the uad has a sublte dull-smear thing specifically in the space between the elements of the mix that may have some conflicting frequency inflormation (I think that's what im hearing), whereas the smart retains the individual elements impact when it glues everything, the elements have their own space and place in the mix is what I feel when I hear it. Welp, not going back! I'm not a UAD owner, so I've never tried their version of the SSL bus comp directly, but I have tried most of the SSL bus comp-style plugins out there, and I am 100% with you. In my case, the hardware I have is the Audioscape Bus Comp, and really no plugin comes close IMO. I've had a handful of times where a plugin came close in a very particular situation or something, but overall, not close. Yeah I agree with you on the SSL bus plugs. UAD adds the blur, mud, and weight. Not bad. PSP Buspressor smears Vaseline all over the mix. Not horrible Waves is just grain and “harder” transients. Horrible auto release. DMG TrackComp 2 lacks any boxtone and just makes things smaller and worse. It’s not bad but it usually sounds better off. Cytomic The Glue at 8-16x oversampling is the best one but it’s clean as hell. It is the best because it doesn’t make things worse despite modeling only the non-linearities in the side chain. This is the only one where the ballistics of the auto release feel cushiony None of them do the SSL bus comp hardware thing with the cushiony auto release, the bringing up of the room, the squishing/pumping of the low end, and the slight grainy saturation of snare, guitars, and loud vocals. I prefer other plugs tbh
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Post by dougwendal on Apr 7, 2022 20:07:05 GMT -6
Anyone have experience with the TK Audio BC1-THD?
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Post by srb on Apr 7, 2022 20:39:14 GMT -6
Anyone have experience with the TK Audio BC1-THD? I own the LTD version. I upgraded from the original BC1. It's great kit. I should use it more. I think it's very versatile, not quite so much as the RND MBP. The side chain options are better on the TK, though. If you were looking for that SSL thing with 'more in the stockroom', and it was the only hardware buss comp you had, it'd be a fine choice. It has the wet/dry function. All compressors should have that. The IGS Tubecore 3U is another nice buss flavor, too. A pair of Chandler Germanium comps are cool.
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Post by dougwendal on Apr 7, 2022 21:06:19 GMT -6
Thanks srb!
It seems like the BC1-THD would serve me well. How does the LTD version affect the stereo image width? Do you find that squeezes it or leaves it intact?
I've heard the Obsidian doesn't mess with the stereo image which I find very appealing. Not sure I need a bus comp with a transformer though.
Considering a Smart C1LA as well.
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Post by srb on Apr 7, 2022 21:12:01 GMT -6
Thanks srb! It seems like the BC1-THD would serve me well. How does the LTD version affect the stereo image width? Do you find that squeezes it or leaves it intact? I've heard the Obsidian doesn't mess with the stereo image which I find very appealing. Not sure I need a bus comp with a transformer though. Considering a Smart C1LA as well. I haven't noticed any real detriment the BC1 has on the stereo image. Good luck in your search and acquisition(s)!
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 8, 2022 4:19:03 GMT -6
Being able to select transformers or not is a useable feature depending on the track.
Have you asked if anyone here is selling an ssl clone ?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2022 5:22:18 GMT -6
I recently picked up the 500 series of the SSL G but it doesn't sound any different to the one in the Big Six TBH, more options though of course. I've been through a few bus comps, Manley Nu-MU, IGS Tube Core, 33609 etc. and I always end up coming back to the G. It softens the top a bit (in a good way), keeps things punchy and doesn't cause much damage. There's a bit more to it than being "lazy" because it's built into a desk, they just work..
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Post by sean on Apr 8, 2022 6:02:16 GMT -6
I have a TK Audio BC1-S for sale…only really selling because I have a Smart C1 and several other VCA compressors.
The BC1-S is pretty impressive especially for the cost…the additional attack and release times as well as ratios makes it really flexible, plus the side chain high pass filter and blend control make it pretty impossible to beat. I’ve used it on the mix buss many times but also find it works great on a drum buss or overheads or an uneven/peaky piano.
I’ve not tried the version with the THD function or the BC2 with a transformer to compare.
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