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Post by nick8801 on Jul 8, 2024 19:34:31 GMT -6
The A Designs thread made me think about this compressor. I picked one up last year for an 1176 flavor in my rig but I haven’t really used it much. I know it also used to be a flavor of the moment. Anyone here have one? What do you like it on? I find it pretty aggressive even when I set it to be on the tamer side. I feel like maybe it just wants to be more of a character piece. I do like the side chain options and the distortion button. What do you all think? Should I try this on some percussion or rhythmic stuff?
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Post by sean on Jul 9, 2024 7:44:18 GMT -6
I have one as well and I like it on snare drum or electric bass. Can’t say I’ve really tried it on anything else
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Post by robo on Jul 9, 2024 7:46:54 GMT -6
I’ve had one for about 10 years. It’s my go-to for bass, and I use it on vocals and other overdubs regularly. I feel like it’s a great modernization of the 1176 thing, with a wider attack range and helpful sidechain options. The box tone is subtle but pleasantly brings things forward. It’s also pretty great on percussive things. Kick drums, room mics, tambourines, etc. I was late to the hype party, but I think I’m going the distance with this one  |
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Post by nick8801 on Jul 9, 2024 9:06:25 GMT -6
I tend to lean more on my optical compressor, but I have a session coming up Thursday with a great vocalist on a rockish song. Might give it a shot and see what happens.
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Post by sentientsound on Jul 9, 2024 10:09:17 GMT -6
When I got one I tried it on a lot of sources, but it ultimately lives on bass now. It's solid on nearly anything, but stands out on bass, kick, snare, or slammig mono drum rooms for me. Punchy with good low end heft, no harsh upper mids, and the Dirt button is subtle and useful.
It's also really good on vocals where it adds some midrange weight and presence without the brighter excited feeling something like a Rev A/B 1176 would emphasize.
I've never tried tracking with it but it's probably a pretty safe bet on vocals at 2 or 4:1 on the way in. The knobs are a bit small and have a wide range so it just needs a little extra care when dialing in.
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Post by copperx on Jul 9, 2024 10:39:05 GMT -6
In the song I'm working, on it won over the Stam 76A on vocals, my usual go to. Fast attack, med release, 8:1, flat sidechain, about two LEDs GR.
You need to keep in mind that the attack and release knobs are "bunched up" towards the right (as you turn the attack/release knob towards the right, they start changing quicker). For example, in my unit, release at 3 o'clock is approximately 0.5 sec, then if I twist it to 5 o'clock it becomes approx 4.0 sec! The attack is similar. If you want it to catch transients like an 1176 you have to set a fast attack (for the vocal I mentioned I set it around 8-9 o'clock). The attack range is wider than an 1176.
If you put it through Plugin Doctor in hardware mode you will understand its behavior better. It's a bit crazy that there are no values anywhere. I emailed them and they didn't give me concrete answers because the attack and release values are "program dependent". They were able to tell me that if the gain reduction meter turns red, that is around -50 dB GR.
I think the BAC is great. It has a beautiful darkish box tone. If you feel it's too grabby, reduce the input. You could be hitting it too hard.
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Post by robschnapf on Jul 9, 2024 11:55:31 GMT -6
Great on guitars and BGVs as well
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Post by nick8801 on Jul 9, 2024 20:14:49 GMT -6
Sweet. Thanks guys…gonna spend some time digging into this thing this week.
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Post by drumsound on Jul 9, 2024 21:31:54 GMT -6
Did Brad Avenson design that? I feel like someone told me that (maybe even Him at Tape Op Con).
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Post by sentientsound on Jul 9, 2024 22:39:36 GMT -6
Did Brad Avenson design that? I feel like someone told me that (maybe even Him at Tape Op Con). Yes he did. BAC = Brad Avenson Compressor, unofficially aka Bad Ass Compressor. |
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Post by studio54 on Jul 10, 2024 13:50:04 GMT -6
I have one of these and find it useful on a number of things -- mostly kick and bass. Does anyone know what the gain reduction LEDs correspond to? I mean, if one light is blinking, is that 1 db GR? Seems like more to my ears.
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Post by nick8801 on Jul 10, 2024 17:26:04 GMT -6
I have one of these and find it useful on a number of things -- mostly kick and bass. Does anyone know what the gain reduction LEDs correspond to? I mean, if one light is blinking, is that 1 db GR? Seems like more to my ears. That’s what I hear too. It can get pretty aggressive if I see a lot of LED movement. It’s been said a million times, but I always have to make sure I’m mixing with my ears and not my eyes. |
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