Cleanest most transparent vst compressor?

[Barendse]

Ok, after doing some searching around I've just downloaded these demos :-

FabFilter Pro-C
PSP Master Comp
PSP Old Timer
Sonalksis SV-315
Stillwell Major Tom
Stillwell Bombardier
Voxengo Marquis
Voxengo Crunchessor
Voxengo Deft Compressor
Jeroen Breebaart RedPhatt Pro
Sinus Peak Compressor

I will also be demoing these against Stillwells The Rocket, Bootsies Density mkII, Blockfish, ReaComps and Antress Compressors.

I can't think of any other compressors (without iLok/dongle) worth trying out?

I thought you asked for a clean transperant comp? Most of these are coloured, some even heavy coloured. Mastercomp and Reacomp are clean for sure.

[tman2k (Meathook Audio)]

I can't think of any other compressors (without iLok/dongle) worth trying out?

YES!

TeamDNR's Mix Control. It is a channel strip, but the compressor can be very transparent! Plus, it uses serial number only...

[pikadilly]

For me it gotta be ArtsAcoustic CL Series, Sonalksis SV-315, Pro-C, and perhaps Maximus with moderate setting.

[tony tony chopper]

What's a transparent compressor?
I can understand the need for transparency when you wanna make something louder, virtually above 0dB, but that's more the job of a limiter.
Unless it's set up as a limiter, a compressor shouldn't be transparent, because if you don't notice what it does, why use it?
(& a compressor that "colors" can only be a multiband compressor, or a compressor with added saturation. Otherwise it will just change the dynamics, which is not coloration)

Unless by transparent you mean it shows everything it does, doesn't have hidden settings/magic?

[futurefields]

What's a transparent compressor?
I can understand the need for transparency when you wanna make something louder, virtually above 0dB, but that's more the job of a limiter.
Unless it's set up as a limiter, a compressor shouldn't be transparent, because if you don't notice what it does, why use it?
(& a compressor that "colors" can only be a multiband compressor, or a compressor with added saturation. Otherwise it will just change the dynamics, which is not coloration)

Unless by transparent you mean it shows everything it does, doesn't have hidden settings/magic?

A transparent comp is one that sounds cleaner when compressing. For example, reacomp is a very transparent comp when compared to the softube fet, or waves cla, in that, while controlling the dynamic range, the output signals tone isn't as different/colored as it would be coming out of an 1176. Make sense? You can pm me if it doesn't, in the interest of keeping the thread on topic.

[audiosabre]

Hey tony. There are two areas in which I judge a compressor's transparency:

colouration
behaviour

In the first instance you're basically listening for saturation, hence colouration. That's pretty straightforward.

In the second you're actually listening to the knee of the compressor and how much it shapes (or doesn't shape) the transients. The less it shapes transients the more transparent it is.

You are correct in saying that a limiter is usually more transparent whilst increasing loudness, especially when used moderately.

There are uses for transparent compressors (e.g gain reduction without noticeable transient shaping), usually in material where compression is avoided e.g. orchestral

However, I'm much more excited by the opposite; colourful, transient shaping monster compressors.

You already know all of this. I'm preaching to the choir here

John

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Our Opto Compressor didn't make the list? It was suggested a few times, and it doesn't use a dongle. Might be worth a try too.

[dickiefunk]

Our Opto Compressor didn't make the list? It was suggested a few times, and it doesn't use a dongle. Might be worth a try too.

Hi Peter,

To be honest I would like to pick up T-Racks 3 DeLuxe in the future but am gutted I didn't join the singles group buy when it was happening!

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

There's a great audioMIDI no-brainer that might float your boat... there just may be some follow-up deals on that one (probably not surprising since they do seem to do that each time) that might get you there...

Ah, looks like they posted it in their news: http://audiomidienews.squarespace.com/a ... tomer.html

[Shy]

The cleanest/takes the most beating by far without breaking compressor is Algorithmix SplitComp. Though, based on your mixed view of what "transparent" is, I can't recommend it or any compressor.

[yellowfever]

I'm confused by the term 'transparent' in this context?
Presumably anything that alters a sound is not transparent? Educate me.

[Shy]

I'm confused by the term 'transparent' in this context?
Presumably anything that alters a sound is not transparent? Educate me.

I'd say provide the most gain reduction with the least distortion (either unstable dynamics, unwanted overdrive, altered frequency response, or any kind).

[dickiefunk]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies! I am starting to wonder if clean/transparent is the right terminology to use for what I'm looking for?

For most of my work I use VSTi's :-

Piano - NI Alicia Keys, Garritan Steinway and True Pianos 1.5

Bass - NI Scarbee Jay Bass

Guitar - ManyGuitar

Drums - Addictive Drums 1.5

I like the sound of Stillwells Bombardier on Acoustic Piano and the Main Buss because it seems like it doesn't change the original sound that much and the transients seem to stay fairly intact?

I tend to not like the sound of heavily compressed music where you can hear the compressor really pumping. I prefer if the compressor makes the original source sound fuller and punchier without changing the tone or transients?

[Shy]

I tend to not like the sound of heavily compressed music where you can hear the compressor really pumping. I prefer if the compressor makes the original source sound fuller and punchier without changing the tone or transients?

Alright, so there are different kinds of compressors/limiters for that, but other than SplitComp, by far the best sounding and most flexible plugin for that is FG-X. It's still in non-public beta but I'm seriously telling you, you better wait for it. Can't be long now.

[eduardo_b]

I tend to not like the sound of heavily compressed music where you can hear the compressor really pumping. I prefer if the compressor makes the original source sound fuller and punchier without changing the tone or transients?

This is basically how a compressor is used as...well...a compressor rather than as an effect, so I think you're on the right path. The issue with transients is to either have a slow enough attack to let the transients through or use a compressor with look-ahead, which will mean some latency (mastering comps have look-ahead to preserve transients).