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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 23, 2024 9:23:28 GMT -6
The UA one is $39…
They were so ubiquitous when I started, I’ve had one but it was 20 years plus ago…Am I missing out on anything?
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Post by svart on Jul 23, 2024 9:26:20 GMT -6
Love the Arouser version on drums and bass.
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Post by drumsound on Jul 23, 2024 10:06:00 GMT -6
I've had good luck on bass, BD, vocals, and I think some solos. If you spend a little time it can be quite smooth, not just a smashy distortion box.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 23, 2024 10:27:49 GMT -6
No one can answer this (and deep in my soul I know the answer) but worth $39 when you already have 46 compressors? lol
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Post by geoff738 on Jul 23, 2024 10:37:52 GMT -6
I didn’t particularly like the hardware when I first tried one all those years ago. Sounded kinda plasticky to my ears for the lack of a better term.
I did pick up the UA one. And I like it. Go figure. There’s a reason pretty much every studio has one or a couple I guess. It’s never going to beat out my Daking or Cranesong on most things, but as a swiss army knife in the box it’s useful.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by knucklehead89 on Jul 23, 2024 10:38:37 GMT -6
No one can answer this (and deep in my soul I know the answer) but worth $39 when you already have 46 compressors? lol Yes. I find for me it’s super useful on drum buss when I don’t want the cymbals to get too splashy. |
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Post by Dan on Jul 23, 2024 11:10:22 GMT -6
No one can answer this (and deep in my soul I know the answer) but worth $39 when you already have 46 compressors? lol The hardware? When you want something to sound like a cartoon or bad modern rock/metal. Think Stephen Slate Fischer-Price sound. Software? Zero need. Molot GE can cover a lot of the Distressor bases with better distortion and controllable transient overshoot (alpha sigma knob) separated out from the attack rate. Honestly the “Smooth Oppressor” preset sounds way better than a Distressor. Turn on insane quality, tweak that shit, it sounds sick. |
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Post by ragan on Jul 23, 2024 11:41:03 GMT -6
I still like the hardware and the software. Useful, flexible comps. But Johnkenn you prob don’t really need it. |
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Post by sean on Jul 23, 2024 11:43:49 GMT -6
I pretty much only use the software or hardware (I have a pair) when someone wants sort of a "modern" drum sound, I'll use the software or hardware on the "drum buss". Sometimes when you need to shape the attack of a kick or snare they are handy. Very occasionally on vocals, but only when it's sort of dull and needs a little excitement. I actually use them somewhat regularly on banjos or mandolin when, again, it needs some midrange "bite".
They have a use, for me anyway. And I've got too many compressors, hardware or software!
I don't think I'd spend $40 on the software, to be honest. I'm sure it's going to get bundled with a bunch of other stuff for $50 eventually.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 23, 2024 12:11:44 GMT -6
Helpful! Thanks, guys
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Post by ragan on Jul 23, 2024 12:54:11 GMT -6
I got it for like $7 when I bit on the large Christmas sale bundle.
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 23, 2024 14:13:20 GMT -6
I do think it’s worth $39, you can dial in a lot or a little distortion with its 3 modes and input controls.
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Post by doubledog on Jul 23, 2024 16:14:30 GMT -6
I just used it for a vocal track yesterday. Tried a bunch and it sounded the best (for just keeping it a little more level since I tracked with light compression too). And I was not using it for color - the track already had enough of that. But other times I use it for bass, drums, and I do push it more. I don't have the hardware unit but I do have an EL9 or Mike-E (and love DI bass through that). The compressor section is similar (but of course not the same).
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Post by jmoose on Jul 23, 2024 16:14:50 GMT -6
I also have the hardware EL8X & UAD software... used somewhat but not entirely interchangeably.
The hardware is indispensable these days in a for hire studio. Gotta have one. And so after many years of a love / hate relationship I finally broke down & bought in mainly because I was tired of hearing people go "Hey where's yer white knobs?!"
Often they were already using one somewhere else & looking for that consistency... been tracking vocals at home with the EL8, or they were cutting fiddle overdubs at another studio with a ribbon & distressor...
But sure it also does "a thing" on drums. Which, I don't often go for that sound. But sometimes 'ya need it...
On that note rarely track drums with one anymore. Kick & snare? Nah. Too many times I've gotten further inwards on a project & started wondering where all this hi-hat is blasting in from..? Who's the moron who krylon'd the snare to tape..? Oh. Right.
(so much overcooking)
All the smashy smashy felt & sounded exciting during the basic tracking. Was great too, until the wall of overdubs piled up & now the drums are gone. So I don't use 'em there anymore. Not too often. Never say never but just very rarely.
There's actually a preset in the UAD plug that got me to re-evaluate my relationship with the thing... Way better starting point for any source. Think its the Jacquire King vocal... JK vocal tracking?
Sets it up at 3:1 - all the distortion etc off - attack & release around 5... 4 or 5. That's my new zero'd point for the hardware too.
Turns it into a real neutral, normal compressor. Good baseline for just about anything. Adjust attack & release to source... then maybe explore other ratios / color options as needed... or just keep it basic.
Always been a fan of the mid-detector. Sometimes just the thing for a peaky vocal, makes it all smooth & sit down normal like. Maybe a little distortion 2 to reshape the edges... works on solos too! Guitar, moog synth...
Its not my favorite compressor or my only compressor but things sound better and I'm sure as hell a lot happier when I have one around then when I don't.
If you already have 42 hardware plugs? Well, I'll say when I bought into my hardware UAD2 rig the distressor was one of the first I picked up... and still most often used. Where I love it mixing more then tracking because I can change my mind & "uncook" things..!
So its a real kick in the coconuts to see the UAD pricing today, but, it is what it is. And not unexpected. Especially since I recall the days when the waves SSL package was new... and $750... for the two plugs... oof!
You never really own software, just kinda rent it for a while...
Anyone tried that new emperical 500 compressor yet?
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Post by copperx on Jul 23, 2024 17:18:09 GMT -6
You never really own software, just kinda rent it for a while... Just like this mortal body, right?  Anyone tried that new emperical 500 compressor yet? I have one and it does not obviate the need for a full-fledged Distressor, in my estimation. One of the big things of the Distressor is being able to finely tune the attack and release; you can hear the changes crystal-clear, unlike other compressors. The PUMP (500) is detented. On the positive side, it sounds less 'plasticky' than the Distressor and can do mostly the same jobs. I think the gain reduction element changed to a VCA, but I'm not sure. If you like ratio 3 on the Distressor I think you would like the PUMP. |
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Post by Bat Lanyard on Jul 23, 2024 21:20:52 GMT -6
Snare, mostly. At the MWTM thing when Tony Hoffer put one of our songs across the board there he used two on the drums like is usually done. Sounded pretty huge.
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