10 commercial compressors compared in a dance context
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
Hi!
This is something I wanted to do for a longer time. I couldn't decide which compressor to get for my needs, so I decided to demo many of the available commercial ones.
I have setup a small test on the site below where you can download a drumloop processed by 10 of the big VST compressors (unfortunately I have no UAD). Whereas most of the time those comparisons are done in a rock context, I tried to get a good sound out of the 909ish loop in a soundsculpting way. So the comps are working hard and show what they can do to make a very raw loop sounding more professional in a dance context.
In the examples I have tried to match RMS and peak levels, but also to get a good sound out of every comp. As I'm no mixing expert the whole test may be contaminated with many flaws and therefore useless, but by checking the demos I came to the conclusion that I like Marquis the best, and the 1980 second! So the process has led to distinct final conclusions on my side, which is all I was hoping for!
For the start I won't tell you which loop got processed by what compressor, I'm interested to see what you like without influences coming from price etc. In the next couple of days I will bring light into this.
Link: http://alienleg.al.funpic.de/index.php
The contenders are:
1970
1975
1980
Am-Track
Compadre
GUP-1
Marquis
MixPressor
SV-315
Waves SSL G
cu, Markus
This is something I wanted to do for a longer time. I couldn't decide which compressor to get for my needs, so I decided to demo many of the available commercial ones.
I have setup a small test on the site below where you can download a drumloop processed by 10 of the big VST compressors (unfortunately I have no UAD). Whereas most of the time those comparisons are done in a rock context, I tried to get a good sound out of the 909ish loop in a soundsculpting way. So the comps are working hard and show what they can do to make a very raw loop sounding more professional in a dance context.
In the examples I have tried to match RMS and peak levels, but also to get a good sound out of every comp. As I'm no mixing expert the whole test may be contaminated with many flaws and therefore useless, but by checking the demos I came to the conclusion that I like Marquis the best, and the 1980 second! So the process has led to distinct final conclusions on my side, which is all I was hoping for!
For the start I won't tell you which loop got processed by what compressor, I'm interested to see what you like without influences coming from price etc. In the next couple of days I will bring light into this.
Link: http://alienleg.al.funpic.de/index.php
The contenders are:
1970
1975
1980
Am-Track
Compadre
GUP-1
Marquis
MixPressor
SV-315
Waves SSL G
cu, Markus
- vvvvvvv
- 2578 posts since 24 Oct, 2000 from skelmersdale, west lancs, uk
Cool idea, Markus.
I'll certainly watch with interest.
btw what are 1970, 1975 and 1980?
I'll certainly watch with interest.
btw what are 1970, 1975 and 1980?
Member 12, Studio One v6.5, VPS Avenger, Kontakt 7, Spitfire, Dune, Arturia, Sonible, Baby Audio, CableGuys, Nektar Panorama P1, Vaporizer 2 to test out
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- KVRian
- 1144 posts since 26 Sep, 2005 from Germany
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 153 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
1970, 1975 and 1980 are the Urs compressors. Oh and Am-Track is the one from Samplitude, unfortunately not available without its host. Everyone who likes Blockfish would want to get it!
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- KVRist
- 178 posts since 21 Oct, 2003 from France
haha, why the SSL & URS tests now ?Alien Leg wrote:Hi!
This is something I wanted to do for a longer time. I couldn't decide which compressor to get for my needs, so I decided to demo many of the available commercial ones.
Link: http://alienleg.al.funpic.de/index.php
The contenders are:
1970 1975 1980 Am-Track Compadre GUP-1 Marquis MixPressor SV-315 Waves SSL G
cu, Markus
"It is not a man's conscience that determines his existence. It is his existence that determines his conscience."
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- KVRian
- 1256 posts since 22 Aug, 2003
c08 and c05 is almost as good, just different.
I just use Blockfish for everything, though, so I guess I'm not too picky about this stuff.
EDIT: wait, no, c02 is above c05 but below c08
I just use Blockfish for everything, though, so I guess I'm not too picky about this stuff.
EDIT: wait, no, c02 is above c05 but below c08
- AcousticHippie
- 4525 posts since 12 Mar, 2003
c10 kills the kick completely c03 is one of the URS ones if I'm not mistaken (I'd say the 1980) but ....now they're all starting to blurr on me... I can't handle this short clip tests sorry
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- KVRist
- 169 posts since 4 Mar, 2005
thanks for that comparison.
I like C05, C08 and C02 most in that order.
I like C05, C08 and C02 most in that order.
- KVRAF
- 4784 posts since 2 Sep, 2005 from city of lights (nl)
c06 sounds horrible on the kick to me, c10 and c08 (lacking mid) aren't much better.
c01 sound a bit dull, so does c04
I like c05 although it's a bit too much maybe (reminds me of me on the blockfish heh), I guess my winner is c02
c01 sound a bit dull, so does c04
I like c05 although it's a bit too much maybe (reminds me of me on the blockfish heh), I guess my winner is c02
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- KVRAF
- 6244 posts since 25 May, 2002 from Bobo-dioulasso\BF__Geneva/CH
CO2 rather than H2O ?core wrote:c06 sounds horrible on the kick to me, c10 and c08 (lacking mid) aren't much better.
c01 sound a bit dull, so does c04
I like c05 although it's a bit too much maybe (reminds me of me on the blockfish heh), I guess my winner is c02
- Or maybe you are trying to recreate (photo)synthesis, i suppose ?
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Last edited by Krakatau on Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 4275 posts since 8 Mar, 2005
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- Banned
- 318 posts since 27 Jul, 2005
alien leg, did you try to match the attack and release values?
edit: only had a quick listen to your samples, but I think I like c02 most...
thank you for this wonderful test!
edit: only had a quick listen to your samples, but I think I like c02 most...
thank you for this wonderful test!
- KVRAF
- 2488 posts since 2 Dec, 2004 from Sydney, Australia
Assuming that you used the same attack/ratio etc settings, here is my ranking, which seem to be working best for your demo beat (which doesn't mean necessary it works good on other material as well):
01 ) C02-Best
02 ) C10-OK
03 ) C08-This one is special, its not bad! - but has his own charm!
04 ) C09-OK
05 ) C04-good
06 ) C06-weird attack
07 ) C07-too hard attack
08 ) C03-weird attack
09 ) C05-weird bass
10 ) C01-overall weird and lightly distorted
When are you revealing the the result, i'm curious!
01 ) C02-Best
02 ) C10-OK
03 ) C08-This one is special, its not bad! - but has his own charm!
04 ) C09-OK
05 ) C04-good
06 ) C06-weird attack
07 ) C07-too hard attack
08 ) C03-weird attack
09 ) C05-weird bass
10 ) C01-overall weird and lightly distorted
When are you revealing the the result, i'm curious!
Cowbells!