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Post by maldenfilms on Jun 14, 2022 11:39:04 GMT -6
A 1176 doesn't smooth out the top end, it's handy for catching peaks but personally I'd never use it as my only vocal comp. Also I already have a Serpent Splice and a UA6176.. It's just part of my process. I use it to tame the hard peaks almost entirely. I'm not really going for tone or anything else out of it. During mixing, I edit the vocal into phrases and then peak normalize them all so that I'm getting roughly the same level throughout. I then compress a little more for smoothness and do any volume automation on that output. It uses less resources and I don't have to keep up with so many settings this way Which ratio do you typically use for this purpose while tracking? I have a 76D I want to start using for this exact purpose. Do you usually go full fast release and a fast-ish attack? I appreciate your insights!
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Post by svart on Jun 14, 2022 12:15:28 GMT -6
It's just part of my process. I use it to tame the hard peaks almost entirely. I'm not really going for tone or anything else out of it. During mixing, I edit the vocal into phrases and then peak normalize them all so that I'm getting roughly the same level throughout. I then compress a little more for smoothness and do any volume automation on that output. It uses less resources and I don't have to keep up with so many settings this way Which ratio do you typically use for this purpose while tracking? I have a 76D I want to start using for this exact purpose. Do you usually go full fast release and a fast-ish attack? I appreciate your insights! Usually 4:1, rarely 8:1. I'm not trying to squish it flat, just knock it down so that the hard peaks aren't more than a couple dB from the normal peaks. The attack is maybe 1/3rd from fastest and the release is nearly fastest but I'll have the singer belt out the loudest sections so that I can test the release and make sure it's not letting go so fast you actually hear it release.
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Post by dreamsambas on Jun 14, 2022 12:34:20 GMT -6
The Little Labs comp is another one worth checking out. Fairchild-inspired attack/release times. Fast, soft-knee, one knob only (like the LA-comps).
I've actually only used it once, because things have been in a holding pattern for a year. But it smoothed the top end and immediately gave the vocal a 'finished' sound.
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Post by EmRR on Jun 14, 2022 12:58:01 GMT -6
I've not heard a tube comp yet (I've owned and used a lot) that didn't blow up the natural envelope of too many words, beginning way too loud then pulled down, fading parts unnatural etc. Always feels like an effect to me. Love them for rhythmic parts of music. I'm usually tracking vocals through tubes already so the tube part of the comp doesn't do a lot for me. Have you tried on of the quicker vari-mu comps? I have the IGS Tubecore500, and it’s been fantastic on about everything I’ve ran through it. Of course, I have a high tolerance for color. Yeah, I've tried every variation, and modified many of my own to have pretty extreme time constant ranges. Single release types, dual release types. Never found anything I like on vocals on a regular basis.
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Post by smashlord on Jun 14, 2022 12:58:45 GMT -6
[quote author=" sean" timestamp="1655210012" source="/post/300039/thread" I've not heard a tube comp yet (I've owned and used a lot) that didn't blow up the natural envelope of too many words, beginning way too loud then pulled down, fading parts unnatural etc. Always feels like an effect to me. Love them for rhythmic parts of music. I'm usually tracking vocals through tubes already so the tube part of the comp doesn't do a lot for me. This is exactly how I would describe the Chandler.
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Post by seawell on Jun 14, 2022 13:39:17 GMT -6
Have you tried on of the quicker vari-mu comps? I have the IGS Tubecore500, and it’s been fantastic on about everything I’ve ran through it. Of course, I have a high tolerance for color. Yeah, I've tried every variation, and modified many of my own to have pretty extreme time constant ranges. Single release types, dual release types. Never found anything I like on vocals on a regular basis. Did you happen to try a Retro 176 yet?
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Post by drumsound on Jun 14, 2022 16:26:32 GMT -6
The Little Labs comp is another one worth checking out. Fairchild-inspired attack/release times. Fast, soft-knee, one knob only (like the LA-comps). I've actually only used it once, because things have been in a holding pattern for a year. But it smoothed the top end and immediately gave the vocal a 'finished' sound. I just listened tot the demo video on the LL site. For vocals, I think it's pretty interesting. Spending a few minutes while the singer gets going with that comp might really be worthwhile. I'm always weary of not having control of the time constants, but I'd still like to have a go with this one.
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Post by EmRR on Jun 14, 2022 18:32:40 GMT -6
Yeah, I've tried every variation, and modified many of my own to have pretty extreme time constant ranges. Single release types, dual release types. Never found anything I like on vocals on a regular basis. Did you happen to try a Retro 176 yet? I’ve used original 176’s
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Post by seawell on Jun 14, 2022 18:38:40 GMT -6
Did you happen to try a Retro 176 yet? I’ve used original 176’s Oh ok. I didn’t like examples I heard of the original 176 at all. Retro 176 is much more versatile and cable of being much cleaner in my opinion. I wouldn’t give up on vari mu comps for vocals altogether until trying one!
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Post by sean on Jun 14, 2022 20:21:04 GMT -6
And probably mentioned a Daking 91579 / FET II or Distressor are other great options that are super versatile
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2022 21:15:34 GMT -6
Anyway, thanks to all the suggestions and seawell 's vids I'm going to give the Retro 176 a go. Also I've already ordered some Buzz Essence's a while back, I can order an extra if I love it on vox.. One last thing, I own quite a few other comps that I haven't tried on vox yet and I really should. Chandler Opto, IGS Tubecore etc..
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2022 3:32:56 GMT -6
One other thing, what about the Serpent Audio Chimera?
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Post by drbill on Jun 15, 2022 8:22:34 GMT -6
One other thing, what about the Serpent Audio Chimera? They are great. I've got 4 of em. 500 series - the originals with VU meters.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jun 15, 2022 14:19:26 GMT -6
Looking to replace my 2A clone.. On the menu thus far is: Retro Sta-Level Highland BG2 Buzz Essence Chandler RS124 Thoughts? I've owned the Retro, Highland and Chandler. All around the Retro wins for me because of ease of use. You just can't make it sound bad and it's set and forget. The Chandler is finicky to setup but sounds great. Highland is the least favorite. Just never clicked for me. Great on drums though.
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Post by jaba on Jun 15, 2022 14:38:55 GMT -6
So much depends on the situation but there's not much an 1176 and LA3A can't do.
I've also always liked a Neve 2254 on backing vocals.
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