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Post by ml on Apr 15, 2022 16:14:56 GMT -6
That sounds really nice. what are you mainly using yours on? Almost entirely voice-over - but for my passion projects and personal work, I was honestly keeping it at the end of my input analog chain for the longest time (MP-2NV>LH95>Essence>interface) for acoustic, vocals, DI and amps.
In some cases, it would just keep the threshold at a point where an erratic note or something wouldn't clip the interface (fast attack for an opto).
I'm in the honey-moon phase with some other pieces right now, so it's not seeing as much music work.
I'm still deciding if I want to pull the trigger on an essence. Does it do that optical "air" thing that an La2a does? |
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Post by enlav on Apr 16, 2022 8:26:39 GMT -6
I'm still deciding if I want to pull the trigger on an essence. Does it do that optical "air" thing that an La2a does? Hey sorry ml - I thought I replied last night.
To sum up what I had attempted to write: I'm pretty bad at subjective adjectives, if you will, so I may be misinterpreting what you mean by the air comment.
If we're talking about the sort of "air" that comes from the compression release+make up gain, the Essence does it as well, if not more so when you want to dial that in more so, thanks to the different release settings.
But if we're talking about the overall influence or "box-tone," I imagine you may not get that out of the Essence compared to a 2a or any iteration/clone. I know I'll use the Audioscape Opto in that manner more so if that's what I'm going for.
The more and more I've used all this hardware, the more I find the Essence is what I'll end up tweaking quite often, whereas with the Opto, i really just set the two knobs for the source and stop there. To echo the original mention of the Essence in this thread, it's probably far less like the 2a than other compressors, so if you're going for the 2a, something like the Acme Opticom might be closer. I've also seen the Tegeler and Tree Audio opto's (haven't heard), but neither of them are "toob" units like the 2a.
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Post by ml on Apr 16, 2022 15:41:00 GMT -6
I'm still deciding if I want to pull the trigger on an essence. Does it do that optical "air" thing that an La2a does? Hey sorry ml - I thought I replied last night.
To sum up what I had attempted to write: I'm pretty bad at subjective adjectives, if you will, so I may be misinterpreting what you mean by the air comment.
If we're talking about the sort of "air" that comes from the compression release+make up gain, the Essence does it as well, if not more so when you want to dial that in more so, thanks to the different release settings.
But if we're talking about the overall influence or "box-tone," I imagine you may not get that out of the Essence compared to a 2a or any iteration/clone. I know I'll use the Audioscape Opto in that manner more so if that's what I'm going for.
The more and more I've used all this hardware, the more I find the Essence is what I'll end up tweaking quite often, whereas with the Opto, i really just set the two knobs for the source and stop there. To echo the original mention of the Essence in this thread, it's probably far less like the 2a than other compressors, so if you're going for the 2a, something like the Acme Opticom might be closer. I've also seen the Tegeler and Tree Audio opto's (haven't heard), but neither of them are "toob" units like the 2a.
I also have the Audioscape Opto which I tend to reach to first for vocals. Although sometimes I think it can be a little too thick and colored. I'd really like to try a CL1B, but they are going for crazy money right now. I also looked into the Tree 500 opto, but the essence has more features and a side chain insert. Do you find yourself using the Audioscape or Essence more? |
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Post by enlav on Apr 16, 2022 18:29:35 GMT -6
I also have the Audioscape Opto which I tend to reach to first for vocals. Although sometimes I think it can be a little too thick and colored. I'd really like to try a CL1B, but they are going for crazy money right now. I also looked into the Tree 500 opto, but the essence has more features and a side chain insert. Do you find yourself using the Audioscape or Essence more? If we're strictly talking vocals, the Opto far more, but sometimes the attack/release of the Audioscape is not what I'm going for, and thats when I'd go for the Essence....
(Assuming I'm not using the V-Comp, which has slowly become my go-to for vocals)
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Post by ml on Apr 23, 2022 16:29:15 GMT -6
I also have the Audioscape Opto which I tend to reach to first for vocals. Although sometimes I think it can be a little too thick and colored. I'd really like to try a CL1B, but they are going for crazy money right now. I also looked into the Tree 500 opto, but the essence has more features and a side chain insert. Do you find yourself using the Audioscape or Essence more? If we're strictly talking vocals, the Opto far more, but sometimes the attack/release of the Audioscape is not what I'm going for, and thats when I'd go for the Essence....
(Assuming I'm not using the V-Comp, which has slowly become my go-to for vocals)
I just received my Essence today. Initial impressions compared to the AS Opto and Distressor is that its clearer sounding less murkiness and more intelligibility. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2022 21:44:35 GMT -6
Does it do that optical "air" thing that an La2a does? I'm not sure I'd ever describe the 2A as having "air", usually when every thing turns dark, small and muddy you've notched the comp too far. For me it has uncanny ability to rub out nasty upper end frequencies in certain mic's (especially dynamics), it's a smoothie and outside the tape era a necessity some times. Originally I had two Tele 2A's but eventually replaced them with a Stam 2A and Chandler Opto 500. I need to do some more testing on that Opto 500, I ran a sub-mix through them the other day (by accident) and I really liked the effect. Shame they don't come as a stereo linkable pair with stepped rotaries, I can see more use for them than a one channel mixing or tracking unit. The Buzz has also peaked my interest, as much as I like the 2A it's not the harmonic "flavour" I'm after but the overall effect. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 23, 2022 21:51:07 GMT -6
You guys see that stam 76A 500 series? I have no idea what it sounds like but the push buttons are just fantastic. I’ll say again that everything I’ve gotten from Stam has sounded really, really good. I don’t have a stake in it btw - I get all the headaches that there’s been involving it. But when I’ve gotten a piece, it has exceeded my expectations. |
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Post by ml on Apr 24, 2022 8:57:21 GMT -6
Does it do that optical "air" thing that an La2a does? I'm not sure I'd ever describe the 2A as having "air", usually when every thing turns dark, small and muddy you've notched the comp too far. For me it has uncanny ability to rub out nasty upper end frequencies in certain mic's (especially dynamics), it's a smoothie and outside the tape era a necessity some times. Originally I had two Tele 2A's but eventually replaced them with a Stam 2A and Chandler Opto 500. I need to do some more testing on that Opto 500, I ran a sub-mix through them the other day (by accident) and I really liked the effect. Shame they don't come as a stereo linkable pair with stepped rotaries, I can see more use for them than a one channel mixing or tracking unit. The Buzz has also peaked my interest, as much as I like the 2A it's not the harmonic "flavour" I'm after but the overall effect. Obviously I haven't had much time with the Buzz, but I would say its definitely in the same ballpark as the AS Opto. Less harmonics and not as thick in the low end. However it's not thin sounding. It also seems to have more headroom as I haven't clipped it yet haha, which can sometimes happen with the AS Opto if your gain-staging is off. I do need to play with it more though to form an opinion. |
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Post by enlav on Apr 25, 2022 8:46:31 GMT -6
I just received my Essence today. Initial impressions compared to the AS Opto and Distressor is that its clearer sounding less murkiness and more intelligibility. Nice, congrats! You guys see that stam 76A 500 series? I have no idea what it sounds like but the push buttons are just fantastic. I’ll say again that everything I’ve gotten from Stam has sounded really, really good. I don’t have a stake in it btw - I get all the headaches that there’s been involving it. But when I’ve gotten a piece, it has exceeded my expectations. I was actually just about to mention this in the other 76-500 series thread. Saw it over the weekend and felt the timing couldn't be better. I haven't personally used any of the Stam 76 iterations, but I've read good things about their ADF model, so I felt pretty comfortable with putting an order in. |
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Post by ericn on Apr 25, 2022 11:59:45 GMT -6
You guys see that stam 76A 500 series? I have no idea what it sounds like but the push buttons are just fantastic. I’ll say again that everything I’ve gotten from Stam has sounded really, really good. I don’t have a stake in it btw - I get all the headaches that there’s been involving it. But when I’ve gotten a piece, it has exceeded my expectations. I’ll have to take a look. Most 500 series 1176 clones just don’t feel comfortable to me, after close to 40 years the 1176 traditional layout just feels like home. |
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Post by plinker on Oct 25, 2023 11:14:57 GMT -6
You guys see that stam 76A 500 series? I have no idea what it sounds like but the push buttons are just fantastic. I’ll say again that everything I’ve gotten from Stam has sounded really, really good. I don’t have a stake in it btw - I get all the headaches that there’s been involving it. But when I’ve gotten a piece, it has exceeded my expectations. I’ll have to take a look. Most 500 series 1176 clones just don’t feel comfortable to me, after close to 40 years the 1176 traditional layout just feels like home. I had the Stam 76A. The tone was great! I didn't have a blue stripe to compare it to, but it sure sounded good to me. However, it seemed to have a reverse log output gain -- way too finicky for a 500 series. |
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Post by ericn on Oct 25, 2023 13:39:21 GMT -6
Since we've veered far from the OP's inquiry, I'll mention the DeadFX GB-1. Based on the Gain Brain FET modules and sounds nice and smashy but capable of doing less as well. I always loved the FCS Pico as well. Such a solid sounding one knob deal. Otherwise, I've never been too into most 500 series comps for whatever reason. The Mpressor is cool but pales next to the real 19" box, which is one of the deepest, most versatile compressors ever made. I always wanted to try the Pendulum one, but never got a chance. As an old Valley People fan thanks for bringing the GB 1 to our attention $450 for a built clone seams very reasonable and tempting. |
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Post by notneeson on Oct 25, 2023 14:03:26 GMT -6
I have an AS V3A on the way. They had a sale going, or maybe they still do.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Oct 25, 2023 14:06:56 GMT -6
Since we've veered far from the OP's inquiry, I'll mention the DeadFX GB-1. Based on the Gain Brain FET modules and sounds nice and smashy but capable of doing less as well. I always loved the FCS Pico as well. Such a solid sounding one knob deal. Otherwise, I've never been too into most 500 series comps for whatever reason. The Mpressor is cool but pales next to the real 19" box, which is one of the deepest, most versatile compressors ever made. I always wanted to try the Pendulum one, but never got a chance. Kush Tweezer is an amazing 500 series comp. They'll probably run a Black Friday sale too, if you want to wait until then... |
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Post by anders on Oct 25, 2023 14:23:01 GMT -6
[…] However, it seemed to have a reverse log output gain -- way too finicky for a 500 series. According to Hairball: "If you've ever used an original URIE FET compressor, you might notice that the input pot on our version is a little hotter. The reason is that the original Allen Bradley pots had a very unique logarithmic curve that is hard to replicate with modern components. Modern parts that can, are VERY expensive and we find they end up scratchy in less than one year." So this could be an issue for several 1176 clones? |
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Post by plinker on Oct 25, 2023 19:22:44 GMT -6
[…] However, it seemed to have a reverse log output gain -- way too finicky for a 500 series. According to Hairball: "If you've ever used an original URIE FET compressor, you might notice that the input pot on our version is a little hotter. The reason is that the original Allen Bradley pots had a very unique logarithmic curve that is hard to replicate with modern components. Modern parts that can, are VERY expensive and we find they end up scratchy in less than one year." So this could be an issue for several 1176 clones? Makes sense. Why not just use a linear pot? Is it too far removed from the original circuit? I mean, a tiny button-sized knob has only so much play... |
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Post by plinker on Oct 25, 2023 19:23:23 GMT -6
As an old Valley People fan thanks for bringing the GB 1 to our attention $450 for a built clone seams very reasonable and tempting. For sure. David Evans who builds them (I think he also builds the Twin Flicks preamps) seems like a good guy as well.
Yep -- Evans builds the TwinFlicks at the Avenson Audio facility. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Oct 27, 2023 13:13:15 GMT -6
According to Hairball: "If you've ever used an original URIE FET compressor, you might notice that the input pot on our version is a little hotter. The reason is that the original Allen Bradley pots had a very unique logarithmic curve that is hard to replicate with modern components. Modern parts that can, are VERY expensive and we find they end up scratchy in less than one year." So this could be an issue for several 1176 clones? Makes sense. Why not just use a linear pot? Is it too far removed from the original circuit? I mean, a tiny button-sized knob has only so much play... An algorithmic pot is far closer to the taper of the original a linear would just feel completely different. I’m not sure but the AB might be the attenuator that’s forced Andrew at Purple to scrap the MC76 and design the MC77. |
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Post by plinker on Oct 27, 2023 15:11:13 GMT -6
Makes sense. Why not just use a linear pot? Is it too far removed from the original circuit? I mean, a tiny button-sized knob has only so much play... An algorithmic pot is far closer to the taper of the original a linear would just feel completely different. I’m not sure but the AB might be the attenuator that’s forced Andrew at Purple to scrap the MC76 and design the MC77. Do you mean "reverse logarithmic pot" -- because that's what I'm referring to. The pot on the SA76A-500 acted like a reverse log pot -- just like the 19" rack version. The problem for me was that, while it feels just OK (not great) on a full-sized unit, the reverse log pot was waaaaay to finicky to adjust with the tiny knobs. I don't really like reverse log on the rack version either -- there's no reason to have that for line-level, make-up gain. I'd much prefer a linear pot. My guess is that's the original circuit had them, so others do it that way too. I don't really know. |
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Post by ericn on Oct 27, 2023 16:28:42 GMT -6
An algorithmic pot is far closer to the taper of the original a linear would just feel completely different. I’m not sure but the AB might be the attenuator that’s forced Andrew at Purple to scrap the MC76 and design the MC77. Do you mean "reverse logarithmic pot" -- because that's what I'm referring to. The pot on the SA76A-500 acted like a reverse log pot -- just like the 19" rack version. The problem for me was that, while it feels just OK (not great) on a full-sized unit, the reverse log pot was waaaaay to finicky to adjust with the tiny knobs. I don't really like reverse log on the rack version either -- there's no reason to have that for line-level, make-up gain. I'd much prefer a linear pot. My guess is that's the original circuit had them, so others do it that way too. I don't really know. It’s different then I was talking about the attenuator l. |
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Post by probably on Oct 28, 2023 15:24:08 GMT -6
I just have all 4 of the buzz audio modules for my 500 series chain (elixir, tonic, essence and potion)
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Post by thecolourfulway on Oct 31, 2023 10:29:50 GMT -6
While we’re talking 500 compressors I gotta tell you that matt@IAA & Fern at Iron Age Audio are cooking up some killer stuff in this department. I was recently testing both a proprietary diode bridge, and a “British” FET. Both were excellent and lacked no features even in the small 500 footprint - both had continuously variable threshold, ratio, attack, release, output gain, bypass and a side chain high pass. The FET also adds an input gain to that list. The diode was super transparent and I loved using it on vocals, it also boasts some kind of absurdly fast attack time, probably the fastest I’ve ever heard on a compressor. The FET was great in all the usual FET applications, loved it on bass and vocals, it made a heavy rock vocal massive and actually seem “wider” which is a silly thing to say but it’s true! Anyway I’m kinda spilling the beans, I don’t know what their plans are for these but definitely two excellent 500 comps brewing in Texas |
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Post by ericn on Oct 31, 2023 10:42:15 GMT -6
While we’re talking 500 compressors I gotta tell you that matt@IAA & Fern at Iron Age Audio are cooking up some killer stuff in this department. I was recently testing both a proprietary diode bridge, and a “British” FET. Both were excellent and lacked no features even in the small 500 footprint - both had continuously variable threshold, attack, release, output gain, bypass and a side chain high pass. The FET also adds an input gain to that list. The diode was super transparent and I loved using it on vocals, it also boasts some kind of absurdly fast attack time, probably the fastest I’ve ever heard on a compressor. The FET was great in all the usual FET applications, loved it on bass and vocals, it made a heavy rock vocal massive and actually seem “wider” which is a silly thing to say but it’s true! Anyway I’m kinda spilling the beans, I don’t know what their plans are for these but definitely two excellent 500 comps brewing in Texas I was going to make a snarky comment about the new 670 500 series but instead I’ll say this. Matt has a way of taking old classic designs, putting a refined modern twist and getting Bing us boxes that everyone should want and need. |
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Post by thecolourfulway on Oct 31, 2023 21:28:02 GMT -6
I was going to make a snarky comment about the new 670 500 series but instead I’ll say this. Matt has a way of taking old classic designs, putting a refined modern twist and getting Bing us boxes that everyone should want and need. I thought you were joking about a 500 670 but I just saw it. I’m dying |
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