Antress Firechainer vs IKmultimedia 670 vintage compressor/limiter

[Igro]

Haha,

for me it is obvious that Antress annoys many of the UAD-owners, Powercore-owners and Pugin buyers.

They just can't bear the possibility that freeware plugins can cope with
those high priced packages. They just can't bear that idea!

Nothing against UAD and hi-priced plugins. These plugins don't become worse or degrade just because of the new antress plugins.

What changes is: The genuis Antress made such good plugins available for
everybody - even for the pour student. I call that democratic and social. I think it is for the art of music, which should not be dependant on commercial power!

Thank You, Antress!

Go on with your marvellous work!

+252365

[premiumcrap]

AS you hear: antress....keep on, doing your good work......


www.myspace.com/tombalcony thanks for your researches!

[Rattleshock]

Just wanted to say a big thanks to Antress for all that he has contributed!! AND for F-R-E-E! The fact that his plugins can rival ones costing hundreds of dollars is amazing. Thanks again!!!

[Tp3]

If I might add, with ALL due respect :

I respect immensely the developer but one problem that keeps rising and keeps me from using those
plugs (and apparently what sets "Pro" plugins from free ones) : the sound of the plugs CHANGES over
the lifespan of those plugs. it is as if every version is like a new variation of the plug, and one
has to stick to ONE version - and ONLY to this version. otherwise - one has to deeply investigate how
and IF the sound fits his needs, over and over again. if you are preoccupied with COMPARING plugs to
other plugs, that fine. but if you make MUSIC - that can be of a problem....

Just my HO.

I've been following Antress' plugin threads over a long period of time time, and this is how things
look from here.

But thanks for the effort anyway - it is highly appreciated

[futurefields]

Does Antress hand code these things? Anybody have a clue as to how he operates?

[Fred_Abstract]

so what is the result?

[everlast]

I think removing GUIs from plugs could be a real ear opener. By saying this I didn't mean to bash Antress' or anyone else's plugs, I really think all plugin developers should use pictureless GUIs, but that's just a dream as we could hear how plugins work finally

[RunBeerRun]

He probably codes it himself inside Synthmaker.

The result: he overcooked the bacon and now we have to eat the trash, but its ok because tomorrow we can have cereal.

[SadPuppyBlues]

It's true.

And I hear this is the next emulation in line:

[gavriloP]

I think removing GUIs from plugs could be a real ear opener. By saying this I didn't mean to bash Antress' or anyone else's plugs, I really think all plugin developers should use pictureless GUIs, but that's just a dream as we could hear how plugins work finally

Well, Reaper allows me to do this and I have to say I occasionally even use it with some plugins... But I think this myth about great Antress GUIs is little strange. Take that Lost Angeles or what is was (LA2A stylish). There are like one switch between comp/limiter and two pots for gain and "peak". It is really simple to test how it works. What that GUI has to do with it? Do you really think that people can't use their ears? I for example haven't yet found a use for this comp but surely will in the future. It has unique sound. On the other hand I like this FireChainer (Fairchild style) comp a lot. I liked it's previous version too. But not because of how it looks. That would be plain stupid. I couldn't easily get the same results with my other comps, simple as that.

And for the record, this new GUI for this Fairchild comp is very bad IMO. I mean the flaming backplate, I would really prefer black background. But even though it doesn't look too good, it works. So there you have it.

Anyone who thinks that they are messing with gold in the Abbey Road when they fiddle with plugins and their virtual knobs are fooling themselves. And even if it says SSL and WAVES on the GUI doesn't make it so. It is just the same thing. It can be quality but it isn't the real thing.

Now I wouldn't put these thing on something that has to sound pristine and sweet (from freeware I might use Bootsy's Density Mk.ii for that). But for grit and stuff like bass, drums and precussion I happen to like them. Personally I found as much use for them as for example Stillwell's Rocket. But that's just me.

[everlast]

The point is GUIs and visuals have a BIG impact on our perception how certain plugs sound. Not to mention names plugs are supposed to "emulate"..It has more impact than we actually think it has

Also, calling something "fairchild" or 1176 or LA2A in digital made from available algos in today's digital plugin world is pretty unfair IMHO. They should have given different names to most of plugs, at least to ones that supposed to sound like analog counterparts..

It all caused a big mess i think

[gavriloP]

The point is GUIs and visuals have a BIG impact on our perception how certain plugs sound. Not to mention names plugs are supposed to "emulate"..It has more impact than we actually think it has

Also, calling something "fairchild" or 1176 or LA2A in digital made from available algos in today's digital plugin world is pretty unfair IMHO. They should have given different names to most of plugs, at least to ones that supposed to sound like analog counterparts..

It all caused a big mess i think

I agree with this last part completely, and also GUIs play a big part initially of course. But after a little while they loose their "meaning" so to speak. When one uses these tools, what they do to sound becomes 99% priority. I admit that it is nice to think that "here comes that analog flavor" from free plugin, but if it doesn't deliver nice sound in the end, it won't last.

At least this is how it works for me. Like I said this Antress "fairchild" has delivered nice sounds occasionally.

This audio world is so filled with myths and these real life tools are also shrouded in magic. Of course they are great tools but they don't do the work of an engineer. Something like Kate Bush's compressed vocals with two 1176's in series etc. well first of all who sounds like her?

And on a smaller scale lets take Presonus Tubepre, cheap "toob" preamp that should be good for bass DI (relatively). Well to me it is horrible! nothing but hiss and waveclipping from the negative side of waveform (well it gives you the enigmatic 2nd order harmonics ). There is just so much stuff going on in this business that works for some and don't work for others...

This all belongs to the dream part. The reality is that if your songs sound good, bless you and if not, then it takes skills and not fancy GUIs to make them better.

We are living in the times when there is lots of real quality tools available for free or with very low cost, and I like that. I mean they get the job done. I actually feel that in my situation I won't buy any expensive plugins just because they are not that much better. I would only feel duped But of course I'm no pro, just a dreamer who tries to live up to his dreams...

[alteregoxxx]

so...the answer is:

A is Antress firechainer
B is IKmultimedia670 compressor/limiter
at the last, if you count the votes for A and B, excluding those who made the choice declaring that they don't hear differences and so relegating the choice to a flip of coin, 4 guys prefer A and 4 prefer B....

[Scotty]

This is a great discussion. It would be wonderful if you could extend the "test" to a larger group to include the golden ears and experienced. If it is all truly subjective then we are wasting a lot of money in pursuit of our passion.

so...the answer is:

A is Antress firechainer
B is IKmultimedia670 compressor/limiter
at the last, if you count the votes for A and B, excluding those who made the choice declaring that they don't hear differences and so relegating the choice to a flip of coin, 4 guys prefer A and 4 prefer B....

[dblock]

I think removing GUIs from plugs could be a real ear opener. By saying this I didn't mean to bash Antress' or anyone else's plugs, I really think all plugin developers should use pictureless GUIs, but that's just a dream as we could hear how plugins work finally

Anyone who thinks packaging and psychology don't go hand and hand in the advertising world is fooling himself. Having said that, it's not just the ears that should be able to tell the difference, it's also the brain. It is free and you get what you pay for, sometimes more, mostly less but that should tell you something before you even hear it. jmho.