Waves Masters vs L3 - opinions?

[xander]

But could we use the L3 for an upward compression on the quiet bits? If not, which one would you recommend?

I never used an L3, but I think a compressor would be a better bet for the parallel compression trick. Bob's recommended settings are: threshold nice and low so you squash everything lots, ratio approx 2.5:1, attack as fast as it will go, release approx 250 ms, then use the output gain to mix some of the compressed signal back with the original and control the amount of upward compression.. somewhere between -12dB and -3dB usually works for me.

I'd love to hear what you'd do with it

Something more like this probably.

Wow -- Better

I see what you mean -- well done indeed. It definitely sounds more crisp and clean on my monitors than my previous L2 mix.

But did you use the parallel compression settings you described above -- Bobkat's recommended settings? What compressor?

Too interesting!!!

Cheers,
Alex

[Jonny Quest]

Ok. I made a few runs with various plug-in limiters/compressors on a shortened edit of Alex's track (shoretened for time, quality and file constraints.)

Since I created Mp3s of his file I thought I'd post my Mp3 of the original as reference:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_0_org.mp3

This is the track run through the Waves L2:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_1_L2.mp3

This is with the L3:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_2_L3.mp3

PSP Vintage Warmer:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_4_psp_vw.mp3

PSP Multi-Pressor:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_5_psp_mp.mp3

URS BLT and Waves L1:

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_6_URS.mp3

Roger Nichols (elemental audio ) DYNAM-IZER

http://rainyworld.com/tests/test_7_rogrnik.mp3

At this point, my ears are fried so perhaps this will be of some benefit to someone.

Peace,

~jonny

[xander]

Wow Jonny -- a lot of work went into this effort!

So awesome mate -- all days listening for me!

@Ian -- Here you go mate! I reckon we did better than just answer your original question eh?

Loading on my iPod as we speaketh..

Gimme a few hours to digest it all (and get over the ear fatigue)

** I just want to add big thanks to everyone who is contributing/has contributed here. This ought to go in a reference library (it'll sure be in mine)


Cheers,
Alex

[IIRs]

But did you use the parallel compression settings you described above -- Bobkat's recommended settings? What compressor?

My chain was: Firium -> GAC-1 -> MPL-1

[iain_morland]

Thanks for all the tests! In these examples, I hear no significant difference between the L2 and L3.

[xander]

@IIRs -- Yet another confirmation that "one should never master one's own shite" I can't believe Elemental Audio sold out and that these great plugs are gone to history, but who can blame them for selling out to Roger Nichols -- especially if the price was right? The upshot is that maybe Roger Nichols will put some money into the product for further enhancements.

As a result of this, I think I'm going to try out some of the Kjaerhus stuff -- I haven't tried anything of theirs yet. Still trying to justify buying the L2...

Well done mate & thanks

@iain_morland -- I guess, as far as the L2 & L3, the key phrase here is "no significant difference" yeah? Great thread

@JonnyQ -- Still listening to everything and trying to discern the differences - some subtle and some not.

It's a subjective evaluation in a certain sense, however, my monitors are fairly flat so I'm probably close to hearing what your are.

Still listening!

[iain_morland]

@iain_morland -- I guess, as far as the L2 & L3, the key phrase here is "no significant difference" yeah? Great thread

Indeed, simple in the end! lol.

If anyone's still interested, I have bought masters instead of L3...after, erm, discussing it mostly with myself.