ABX Compressor Test VST

[LOSER]

[...]do you have some suggestions I put this compressor on?

Well, what would be awesome would be to put it on as much different material as possible.
But since there are already many contributions for drums (and barely non for everything else), I think it would be preferable to also test it on drums, so we can at least get a representable amount of reviews for drums.
Also drums seem to be the arch enemy of every/this compressor, since drums have the full spectrum from kick to cymbals with lots of transients.

Another big thank you for all the contributors so far, it is much appreciated.

By the way, is there a way to get my hands onto your old
VSTPlugInBunlde_1915 or higher versions but not the latest ones?

I fear not. Those are from back then when I wasn't any serious at all about VST programming, hence no dedicated hosting, nor backups, that's why they were (mostly) lost (of course only the ones I didn't like, the others made it into later versions and are available at http://loser.asseca.com/downloads/ with versions dating back to 2007 something). Also I don't think those old ones are any good at all, but in case you need them to use an old project I can look and see if I have still some of them somewhere (though I don't even know what was in that old VSTPlugInBunlde_1915.zip ). Sorry.

-----

Regarding making this a VST with GUI and stuff: Sorry, won't happen.
However, if anyone (capable) is seriously interested in taking up the task of actually coding such a VST with GUI, I can release the source (even though it doesn't look so pretty).

[LXNDR1]

if it's about research it would be a good idea to give potential participants a sheet so they can present the results in an orderly manner, because so far the reports have been quite chaotic with the exception of one

maybe that's against the science, but i also think that a particular order in which the modes are arranged and their names, undescriptive as they may sound, could affect the perception and create bias, though one which on a larger scale may be considered insignificant
i think a completely blind test, one mode a day, would yield the best results, but it's too extreme a setup ain't it?

[Midiworks]

By the way, is there a way to get my hands onto your old
VSTPlugInBunlde_1915 or higher versions but not the latest ones?

I fear not. Those are from back then when I wasn't any serious at all about VST programming, hence no dedicated hosting, nor backups, that's why they were (mostly) lost (of course only the ones I didn't like, the others made it into later versions and are available at http://loser.asseca.com/downloads/ with versions dating back to 2007 something). Also I don't think those old ones are any good at all, but in case you need them to use an old project I can look and see if I have still some of them somewhere (though I don't even know what was in that old VSTPlugInBunlde_1915.zip ). Sorry.

Thank you for your answer!
In the latest VST bundle you must have used some kind of compression on the DLL files or did something different to the VSTs that you posted here.

I am having problems somehow with them (with the bundle),
I guess it is due to the dll compression but that is just a guess.
If my guess is correct, would it be possible to send me that bundle without applied compression on the DLLs?

I am using your plug-ins under MacOSX using wine,
while they're working basically very good I ran into some strange happenings here and there.

Thank you again and keep up the great work,

cheers,
René

[LOSER]

if it's about research it would be a good idea to give potential participants a sheet so they can present the results in an orderly manner, because so far the reports have been quite chaotic with the exception of one

maybe that's against the science, but i also think that a particular order in which the modes are arranged and their names, undescriptive as they may sound, could affect the perception and create bias, though one which on a larger scale may be considered insignificant
i think a completely blind test, one mode a day, would yield the best results, but it's too extreme a setup ain't it?

I think making the test more complex and/or restrictive on how to review or evaluate and present findings will make the willing participants dwindle even more :/.

[LOSER]

Thank you for your answer!
In the latest VST bundle you must have used some kind of compression on the DLL files or did something different to the VSTs that you posted here.

I am having problems somehow with them (with the bundle),
I guess it is due to the dll compression but that is just a guess.
If my guess is correct, would it be possible to send me that bundle without applied compression on the DLLs?

I am using your plug-ins under MacOSX using wine,
while they're working basically very good I ran into some strange happenings here and there.

Thank you again and keep up the great work,

cheers,
René

Sorry to hear that. But I'm not using any kind of compression on my files ever at all, since it (in my opinion) doesn't make any sense at all for a small VST ... unless they're too big. Are they too BIG?

Anyway what kind of problems? Does the ABXCompTest.ddl work fine? If so I might one day (but not promising anything) just port the old VSTs to VST 2.4.

EDIT: Just as a test here is a executable compressed version of FreeComp: http://audio.michael-gruhn.com/files/Fr ... ST_UPX.zip
Does it work?

[Midiworks]

Sorry to hear that. But I'm not using any kind of compression on my files ever at all, since it (in my opinion) doesn't make any sense at all for a small VST ... unless they're too big. Are they too BIG?

Anyway what kind of problems? Does the ABXCompTest.ddl work fine? If so I might one day (but not promising anything) just port the old VSTs to VST 2.4.

EDIT: Just as a test here is a executable compressed version of FreeComp: http://audio.michael-gruhn.com/files/Fr ... ST_UPX.zip
Does it work?

Because they are so small, I was thinking that they are compressed.
But the DLL compressed one is working perfectly fine.

What kind of problems, I cannot really say it is just behaving strange, sometimes crashing unpredictable my host.
Those things do not happen with any of the three VST that you posted here.


While playing around a bit more with your compressor test,
I was thinking that it would be nice to have sidechain inputs
with frequency adjustment or presets for this.
Also a auto-gain and a limiter would be very helpful!

cheers and thanks again,
René

[JerGoertz]

Michael, thanks for this(/these) plugins.

I won't guarantee that I'll be sending you any AXB testing impressions, as my time is pretty well-occupied for the near future, but the plugin itself is a neat idea (a smorgasboard of compressors!).

[LXNDR1]

if it's about research it would be a good idea to give potential participants a sheet so they can present the results in an orderly manner, because so far the reports have been quite chaotic with the exception of one

maybe that's against the science, but i also think that a particular order in which the modes are arranged and their names, undescriptive as they may sound, could affect the perception and create bias, though one which on a larger scale may be considered insignificant
i think a completely blind test, one mode a day, would yield the best results, but it's too extreme a setup ain't it?

I think making the test more complex and/or restrictive on how to review or evaluate and present findings will make the willing participants dwindle even more :/.

in fact i'm forced to agree

[DanielKonopka]

Perhaps a bit OT, but has anyone tried Schwa's Dyno?

I think it's quite cool because it has a threshold like
ordinary compressors and also it allows one to shape
the envelope to the heart's content, and it supports
Bezier curves.

[tongsong]

it s a great sounding compressor, lots of variety, thx so much, but seems like cant save settings at the host....

[arashmitooie]

Hi Loser
Thanks a lot. This is a great plugin and a great idea as well. I wish you the best. Don't listen to any body who says otherwise. People like you rock and people like me can not but appreciate what you do. Obtaining a very nice compressor plug-in aside, this was a lesson and opportunity for me to compare and learn how very much the compression characteristics-alone (apart from any saturation and filtering and spectral modeling) can affect the resulting sonics. Your not a loser at all... here are my observations:


On Drums Kit Overhead Stereo Raw Mid-Tempo Resaults:
====================================================

-Mode 11 :

Gives the most amount of GR. Is the creamiest mode with great smooth transients; very delicious analog VCR style softenning of attacks and smooth release. The most pushable befor fluttering and distorting articacts. It can be very agile yet clean and soft transients are achievable with the attack time very effectively controlling their timbre. However one thing for sure: it hase a very noticable effect and breaths noticably (on cymbals), but in a good way. I like to hear compressors in certain situations, so this is my pick for creaming up a drum kit and my favorite mode on drums.

-Mode 3 :

Going after a more subtle and unnoticable effect, I found this mode the most capable.If pure kick, punch and loudness is my the tharget, I'd probably pick this mode with fast attack and release times. The general timbre and the balance of the individual kit parts were quite fairly retained (as opposae to Mode 11 wich would softensnare much more, realatively and cause cymbals to breathe). Mode 1 and 2 also had similar natures but I found them a bit too aggressive and weak on applying GR. Maby with lower thresholds they would also yield interesting resaults.

On Male Vocal
=============

-Mode 11,13,15,17 :

The HQR modes in general seem to behave like soft knee and LQR modes like hard knee. And the Soft Release modes (+s) have smoother breathing release characteristics as opposed to the first ten modes who tend to be more aggressive and kick. Therefore to smoothly level the vocal and bring out the details and nuances (via very fast attack and release times: ~0.001s and ~0.010s respectively and very low ratio: ~1.37) I found all odd soft release modes equally suitable.

-Mode 3,5,7,9

For a more relaxed compression (Attack~0.030s Release ~0.0160s) I found mode3 to offer the most transparent compression. Mode 5, 7, 9, respectifely applied more aggressive compression and particularly I found mode5 to kick wildely in an unpredictable manner. Never the less These (non smmothened release) modes in general worked better in going unnoticed. Using maximum ratio I could achieve some vintage limiting style compression and also smoother resaults could be achieved through a setting of around 4:1.

On Acoustic Rhythm Guitar (Pick)
================================

-Mode 4,8,14,18

Again as all even modes are the LQR who (as I hear) act like hard knee, They sounded more open on acoustic guitar for a moderate pick reduction task. Only that here the Soft Release types (+R) could achieve a smoother and more transparent resault. The non Soft Release types again were a bit more aggressive. I used very fast time constants and moderate ratio (Attack: ~0.003s Release ~0.050s Ratio ~3.3). My favorite modes were 14 and 18.

Cheers

[hopefullysoon]

I dont use compressors much, if anyone has a link to any easy tutorial on the subject please let me know. After reading and watching videos I'm still lost


Anyway thanks for the plugin ...

I messed with it on a couple of different style drum loops for about an hour;

Mode 1 and 14 were the ones I liked the best they seemed to carry the low end better with out being harsh and still keep the high end pres.

Out of modes 1 and 14, I like 14 the best.

The rest seemed less then.

[alteregoxxx]

don't make this thread die!

woooahh!! what a great compressors in a such small dll!!!awesome Loser!!

...believe it or not tweaking attack and release every time i change the mode i can virtually "replicate" all my compressors!!

TESTED ON DRUMS LOOP

mode 1 and 2

Tendentially on the clean side, they keep the original sound source really well, difficult make them sound bad and "pump".I prefer them with medium attack time (above 10 ms).
I think they are "masteringsuitable".

Vote 9/10 for mode 1 and 8/10 for mode 2


mode 3,4,5,6:

Mode 3 and 4 can be really aggressive, their sound remind me VCA/SSLish compressors...
i perceive mode 3 and 4 like really fast capable compressors, nevertheless their "punch" is simply RIGHT...not too "spiky" not to squashed, i really like mode 3, one of my first choice for sure....
Mode 5 and 6 tend to pump, but in a good way if you find the right attack and release settings,drums transients become slightly slightly "plasticky", but only with long attack times so this can be corrected choosing times shorter than the ones good for mode 2 and 3.
Mode 5 can imitate The Glue really really really well...don't look at the Glue setting trying to replicate them on ABX...roughly release times in this mode has to be half those setted on The Glue
Mode 3,4,5,6 are really great on Drums.

Vote 10/10 for mode 3 and 9/10 for the remaining. Slightly prefer mode 5HQR over mode 6LQR.

Mode 7 and 8:
I don't like them.Transients treatment sounds wrong to my ears, too much pronounced and plasticky.

Vote 5/10

Mode 8,9,10

"General purpose compressor sound".

Vote 6,5/10

Mode 11:

I really really like it, even this is in the vca territory (and i like vca based compressors ), in the same league(not same sound) of mode 3, pump in a really realy nice way...remind me a little of blockfish, but transients "management" here is fairly superior.
Great,great compressor.

Vote 10/10

Mode 12,13:
Nothing to say

Mode 14:
I like it.

Vote 7/10


Concluding my preferred are mode 3 and mode 11.

Hope this helps.

Now i want a beautiful gui for this compressor!

[deleted]

DELETED

[hanzkingz]

i'd like to bump this thread in order to get these downloads - link in the first post is dead ...

+1