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Post by seawell on Dec 7, 2023 16:50:47 GMT -6
The amount of auto-tuning in those vocals was very distressing to me.
That YouTuber couldn't have picked a worse vocal track if he tried.
That's why we need more seawell videos. Not only is he thorough and knows how the equipment works, but he uses really nice tracks, which makes the entire thing incredibly enjoyable. I truly appreciate your kind words! |
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Post by copperx on Jan 13, 2024 17:05:45 GMT -6
So I just received mine, but I haven't tested it yet.
A big difference from the Distressor that isn't obvious from the marketing is that the attack and release settings are NOT continuously variable. They both have 8 fixed timings that are selectable, strangely, with continuously variable pots.
There's a soldered USB port that is not mentioned in the documentation, which might be used for firmware upgrades (?).
All chip legends are clearly readable and it seems like there are very few components (they could have fitted more functionality if they wanted to, probably). This makes me wonder if the PUMP circuit is actually related to the Distressor one, or just inspired by the Distressor. It seems like its own thing to me, but I'm no electrical engineer.
I need to test this thing and do some comparisons. I'm not sure if the 8 fixed att/rel settings will be too limiting. I'm saying that because on the Distressor, moving the pots by a millimeter changes the sound a lot.
Some thoughts before actualling testing it.
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Post by copperx on Jan 29, 2024 14:07:09 GMT -6
Alright, so yesterday I spent a few hours testing this thing.
TL;DR: Yes, this thing does the Distressor thing. I need to buy at least one more.
Most of the time I spent it trying to get a Radiohead-y spanked acoustic guitar sound. I was able to match what the Distressor does. In fact, I think in most situations, the PUMP makes it easier to get the sound you're looking for because you're not fiddling with the attack and release that much. To me, the 8 selectable attack and release settings are not a limitation. They were thoughtfully selected and it shows.
This thing feels like the evolution of the Distressor. You can, for example, set the attack to be too fast, then relax it by using the AtMod knob slightly, and that gives you a different sound than just slowing the attack. That's really, really cool. You get more sounds out of a single box.
One note, though. When the saturation circuit is not turned on, the compression characteristic is not that spanky. If you want to squeeze the signal into a pancake like with the Distressor, you'll have to turn the saturation circuit on. It sounds like the saturated signal is then fed into the sidechain, because the compression changes (just speculating). With the saturation off, the PUMP _IS_ a cleaner Distressor, and I love that.
There are so few components on the PCB it's crazy. It's all surface-mount except some diodes. Where does all of this wonderful processing come from? Could this thing be sold for the price of the FMR RNC and still make a profit?
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Post by svart on Jan 29, 2024 14:44:54 GMT -6
 Looks suspiciously like a THAT VCA engine. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 29, 2024 15:34:35 GMT -6
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Post by svart on Jan 29, 2024 15:59:40 GMT -6
There are so few components on the PCB it's crazy. It's all surface-mount except some diodes. Where does all of this wonderful processing come from? Could this thing be sold for the price of the FMR RNC and still make a profit? Take a look at those glass diodes and the LEDs in my pic.. Those are what creates the distortion. It's essentially using the diodes like a guitar pedal.. |
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Post by copperx on Jan 29, 2024 16:05:13 GMT -6
Yes!!! Do you want some higher resolution pics of the guts? |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2024 16:07:16 GMT -6
Digitally controlled analog parameters of an analog compressor. The big square unmarked chip is some sort of microcontroller to select one of the 8 attack and release resistors. Maybe there are some digitally controlled analog chips there like on the better markers. Attack mod is analog and will change the curve of the attack part of the smoothing filter (what slows down the gain reduction to not make applying the ratio instant) to let most of the transients pass through similar to sigma values on Molot or .3 to 3 ms attacks on Smart C2. Less distortion on transients if you want to limit or clip them off later with the device or something else.
This should kick the Arousor’s aliased ass.
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Post by basspro on Feb 27, 2024 11:30:32 GMT -6
Has anyone been lucky enough to get a pair of these yet? I got one about a month ago and I'm really liking it. Have used Distressors in the past but have never owned one, so I can't compare, but I'm really liking this thing as an all-arounder. Most of my other comps are fairly colored, so It's nice to have a cleaner option if I need it, but I can also get things a bit dirty with the saturation option.
Really considering grabbing another as I don't have any stereo hardware compressors. I think these would be great to blow up room mics or as a parallel drum bus comp.
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Post by paulcheeba on Feb 28, 2024 14:52:04 GMT -6
I prefer the Fatso to the Distressor which has never been my cup of tea.
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Post by ragan on Feb 28, 2024 15:21:04 GMT -6
I’ve been toying with trying one of these (the EL Pump). I like Distressors, and I think I would like one with less inherent box tone distortion.
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Post by robo on Feb 28, 2024 17:22:32 GMT -6
I was between these, Kush Tweezers, and TK Audio T-Komps. I’ve been wanting some flexible VCA’s for drum busses, etc.
I took the Pump off the list as there’s no linking function. I’m sure they’re good for mono sources when you’re looking for that sound.
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Post by copperx on Feb 28, 2024 17:45:52 GMT -6
I was between these, Kush Tweezers, and TK Audio T-Komps. I’ve been wanting some flexible VCA’s for drum busses, etc. I took the Pump off the list as there’s no linking function. I’m sure they’re good for mono sources when you’re looking for that sound. Are you sure about that? I don't have two of them, but the manual clearly states that they can be linked, and there is a jumper for that. It's also clearly started on the Empirical Labs website. Where did you get that idea? Were you thinking of another unit? Or did you mean that you can't link/unlink at will? Yeah, there's no button for that. |
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Post by notneeson on Feb 28, 2024 17:57:13 GMT -6
Kinda crazy how affordable Aphex 651s are given how much they can do as tweakable VCAs.
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Post by Dan on Feb 28, 2024 18:06:24 GMT -6
Kinda crazy how affordable Aphex 651s are given how much they can do as tweakable VCAs. Drawmer DL241 is dirt cheap too for two good channels. DL251 with the high frequency expander is a little more expensive. |
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Post by copperx on Feb 28, 2024 18:18:44 GMT -6
I'm a bit sad to say, but this PUMP may be going back.
It's a bit funny; I just wanted a cleaner Distressor, which this thing kind-of is. However, it does not behave the same way. It's similar, but it doesn't have that crazy holding-down power of the Distressor. It's not bad, but it's not a substitute, which makes sense. Why would EL cannibalize their Distressor sales? Also, the stepped controls are a bit of a nuisance. They should have gone for at least a continuously variable release. And it's not like there's not enough room on the PCB. That thing is as empty looking as anything from HRK.
I'm OK with just having a Distressor and not using it on vocals. I just hate that dirty sound on them. But that same distortion sounds good on almost anything else (and I'm not talking about the Dist modes; those are not my cup of tea). The PUMP's saturation mode is more subtle and even acceptable on vocals.
I'm sorry if I seem a bit upset, but I waited patiently for it to be released because I was totally sold on the idea. I even pictured having at least 4 or 6. Argh!! Now I have to get Distressors instead.
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Post by ragan on Feb 28, 2024 19:51:58 GMT -6
I'm a bit sad to say, but this PUMP may be going back.
It's a bit funny; I just wanted a cleaner Distressor, which this thing kind-of is. However, it does not behave the same way. It's similar, but it doesn't have that crazy holding-down power of the Distressor. It's not bad, but it's not a substitute, which makes sense. Why would EL cannibalize their Distressor sales? Also, the stepped controls are a bit of a nuisance. They should have gone for at least a continuously variable release. And it's not like there's not enough room on the PCB. That thing is as empty looking as anything from HRK.
I'm OK with just having a Distressor and not using it on vocals. I just hate that dirty sound on them. But that same distortion sounds good on almost anything else (and I'm not talking about the Dist modes; those are not my cup of tea). The PUMP's saturation mode is more subtle and even acceptable on vocals.
I'm sorry if I seem a bit upset, but I waited patiently for it to be released because I was totally sold on the idea. I even pictured having at least 4 or 6. Argh!! Now I have to get Distressors instead.
So you don’t feel like it can pin a source in place the way a Distressor can? |
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Post by robo on Feb 28, 2024 20:09:07 GMT -6
I was between these, Kush Tweezers, and TK Audio T-Komps. I’ve been wanting some flexible VCA’s for drum busses, etc. I took the Pump off the list as there’s no linking function. I’m sure they’re good for mono sources when you’re looking for that sound. Are you sure about that? I don't have two of them, but the manual clearly states that they can be linked, and there is a jumper for that. It's also clearly started on the Empirical Labs website. Where did you get that idea? Were you thinking of another unit? Or did you mean that you can't link/unlink at will? Yeah, there's no button for that. I don’t see that anywhere on their website, and there hasn’t been a manual available online. Totally possible I’m missing something though. Regardless, yeah if you can’t use it both stereo and multi-mono at will then that’s enough to dissuade me. |
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Post by copperx on Feb 28, 2024 22:43:33 GMT -6
Are you sure about that? I don't have two of them, but the manual clearly states that they can be linked, and there is a jumper for that. It's also clearly started on the Empirical Labs website. Where did you get that idea? Were you thinking of another unit? Or did you mean that you can't link/unlink at will? Yeah, there's no button for that. I don’t see that anywhere on their website, and there hasn’t been a manual available online. Totally possible I’m missing something though. Regardless, yeah if you can’t use it both stereo and multi-mono at will then that’s enough to dissuade me. I have the printed manual right here and yes, it confirms that stereo operation is possible. It's even possible to link several PUMPs for surround. While there is no button to enable and disable linking, flipping the stereo link switch on the powered rack (I think most racks have this) will link and unlink the units. So you might have to reach behind the unit, but I don't think it's necessarily a deal breaker. Unless you do this a lot. |
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Post by copperx on Feb 28, 2024 22:54:01 GMT -6
I'm a bit sad to say, but this PUMP may be going back.
It's a bit funny; I just wanted a cleaner Distressor, which this thing kind-of is. However, it does not behave the same way. It's similar, but it doesn't have that crazy holding-down power of the Distressor. It's not bad, but it's not a substitute, which makes sense. Why would EL cannibalize their Distressor sales? Also, the stepped controls are a bit of a nuisance. They should have gone for at least a continuously variable release. And it's not like there's not enough room on the PCB. That thing is as empty looking as anything from HRK.
I'm OK with just having a Distressor and not using it on vocals. I just hate that dirty sound on them. But that same distortion sounds good on almost anything else (and I'm not talking about the Dist modes; those are not my cup of tea). The PUMP's saturation mode is more subtle and even acceptable on vocals.
I'm sorry if I seem a bit upset, but I waited patiently for it to be released because I was totally sold on the idea. I even pictured having at least 4 or 6. Argh!! Now I have to get Distressors instead.
So you don’t feel like it can pin a source in place the way a Distressor can? It can pin a source like a very good VCA, getting close to the Distressor but not exactly like it. The Distressor can "bend" the signal into submission unlike anything else. It does add a grit that I hate on vocals, but is not objectionable in other sources. Certainly not objectionable for the amount of pinning that it does. It can flatline something while sounding cool. Perhaps my favorite thing about the Distressor is how easily you can add subtle movement by very slightly tweaking the release, and how effective the attack is. In the PUMP, the controls are stepped, which ain't bad, but it gives you significantly less subtle control. |
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Post by robo on Feb 29, 2024 10:45:29 GMT -6
I don’t see that anywhere on their website, and there hasn’t been a manual available online. Totally possible I’m missing something though. Regardless, yeah if you can’t use it both stereo and multi-mono at will then that’s enough to dissuade me. I have the printed manual right here and yes, it confirms that stereo operation is possible. It's even possible to link several PUMPs for surround. While there is no button to enable and disable linking, flipping the stereo link switch on the powered rack (I think most racks have this) will link and unlink the units. So you might have to reach behind the unit, but I don't think it's necessarily a deal breaker. Unless you do this a lot. Ah ok, thanks for the info. If you can link and unlink via the rack button then that’s workable (at least with my racks) if not ideal. I’ve been waiting on a pair of Tweezers for an annoyingly long time, but if they don’t rock my boat I might circle back to the PUMP. |
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Post by vvvooojjj on Oct 7, 2024 0:55:16 GMT -6
Has anyone else bought the PUMP?
Was thinking of acquiring one.
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Post by vvvooojjj on Oct 7, 2024 1:26:10 GMT -6
I had a pair of Distressors a couple of years back when I was mixing hybrid but I got rid of them after changing to ITB because I wasn't tracking that much.
Now I've been in a situation quite often when I or the band/artist would like to have extremely crushed vocal. I remember distressor being wonderful pinning the vocal down hence asking if people had more experiences with the PUMP or if should I just get a Distressor. Would also I like to try tracking vocals.
I do remember the sheen on Distressor being annoying depending on the production.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 7, 2024 5:27:38 GMT -6
If it’s chiefly for vocals, what about the bla Bluey 76?
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Post by vvvooojjj on Oct 7, 2024 6:25:49 GMT -6
I have one and I'm looking for something different.
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