Are we close to getting plugin compressors that sound like real ones?

[himalaya]

Also, I get it that you've met Shy's conditions but those conditions weren't sufficient.

Perhaps they are not sufficient to you, but I was responding to Shy's post and his descriptions of sonic characteristics to look for, and so that was my point of reference.

[ZenPunkHippy]

The most interesting thing I've learned from this thread, after doing a bit of research, is that one of the very top compressors - the Weiss DS1 - is digital:

http://www.weiss.ch/ds1/ds1.html

Used by Bob Katz, he also designed presets for it. Or is someone going to say this $8000 compressor is not as good as analogue?

Peace,
Andy.

[Uncle E]

Used by Bob Katz, he also designed presets for it. Or is someone going to say this $8000 compressor is not as good as analogue?

The Weiss is used for very different purposes than what an SSL Buss Compressor or Manley Vari-MU are used for. In the cases of those latter two, you would choose them because you specifically want their sonic imprints. In the case of the Weiss, you'd normally choose it in de-esser mode to remove harsh treble frequencies from masters without causing any harm.

btw, the Sonnox Suppressor is a brilliant Weiss replacement.

[ZenPunkHippy]

The Weiss is used for very different purposes than what an SSL Buss Compressor or Manley Vari-MU are used for.

Fair enough. I don't have any experience with high end digital or analogue compressors, so went looking for info about the Algorithmix Split Comp and found this thread on Gearslutz which also mentioned the Weiss:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/product- ... r-out.html

Peace,
Andy.

[jens]

That's why we do null testing.

[jens]

But null tests don't help with matching compressor settings. And unless you are matching settings, how can you be sure that differences in sound between two compressors are due solely to differences in quality and not to mismatched settings?

[...] As far as this thread goes, the kick is so much more prominent in Shy's Slate example

Now here is a clear objective, comparable and meassurable description.

[Fritze]

Cheers Fritze mate, Glad you enjoyed despite the dynamic nuking. Good to hear from you

Yeah man, good to hear from you, too.

On topic: I have to take the time to check out the Fatso that's hanging out in the U-He rack next door.

Yes that will be time well spent and totally enjoyable as a perk of the work to do that for a job. Especially so if there is going to be perhaps (I am purely guessing/making up stuff here, But hey why not) say a Uhbik-C (Compressor), Uhbik-P (Pre-Amp gentle colouring through to big dirty circuit mojo) and Uhbik-L (Limiter/Levelling Nuke) with possible RE versions to give Theo 3 reasons to be cheerful/excited

All the best and said I never get much good luck Still its all good

Well, let's say we've got several cool dynamics processor ideas.

[klinik]

OK, I'll bite...

I recreated the slate compressor using 9 different plugins, including a free fave of mine.

You can download the archive here:http://www.slingfile.com/file/hgdRZ2rT9C
Just click in the "slow download" button

It was a good test, I had some plugins in mind that failed (artifacts, bad sound at those extreme settings) but some forgotten ones that will be in my drum buss from now

I've had tons of hardware compressors, the big ones, from NTPs to thermionic culture, Tubetech, EMT, Manley... but I sold them over the time and now my new studio is almost software based.
I saw an improvement in software based compressors since a couple of years ago, and some jewels showed recently. Still a way to the perfect emulation, but I think I can reach the sound I want with the software tools I own.

[IncarnateX]

I have no idea whether the SSL compressor in Reason emulates the hardware correctly but I must say that I have owned a few VST compressors and used a few iPad compressors as well and this one really stands out from the crowd. As far as I am concerned it is pure magic and exeeds my humble needs by many many miles.

Cheers

[Trakstar]

I have no idea whether the SSL compressor in Reason emulates the hardware correctly but I must say that I have owned a few VST compressors and used a few iPad compressors as well and this one really stands out from the crowd. As far as I am concerned it is pure magic and exeeds my humble needs by many many miles.

Cheers

It does a good job but doesnt push enough back out as what it takes in gain reduction if you know what i mean, sure it kicks and smooths like a proper ssl Buss but its a little too quiet when adding gain to sort of reach proper commercial levels.

[Mutant]

reach proper commercial levels

Which in most cases you should avoid anyway.

[frankjcc2003]

OK, I'll bite...

I recreated the slate compressor using 9 different plugins, including a free fave of mine.

You can download the archive here:http://www.slingfile.com/file/hgdRZ2rT9C
Just click in the "slow download" button

It was a good test, I had some plugins in mind that failed (artifacts, bad sound at those extreme settings) but some forgotten ones that will be in my drum buss from now

I've had tons of hardware compressors, the big ones, from NTPs to thermionic culture, Tubetech, EMT, Manley... but I sold them over the time and now my new studio is almost software based.
I saw an improvement in software based compressors since a couple of years ago, and some jewels showed recently. Still a way to the perfect emulation, but I think I can reach the sound I want with the software tools I own.

After I finally found the right download link

T is the closest of all but the snare in the slate dragon rings just a little bit more, m was close but not quite, there was another close one but too much bass boost I think it was D the rest of them didn't really cut it. I'd like to know what they are. nice test though.

[klinik]

Just uploaded the file to mediafire so downloading will be faster and better:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dhqdcxna3wp3p9a

The original files (dry, slate dragon and SComp) are inside the .rar as well.

Frankjcc, I'm giving you a clue: "T" is "TG" "M" is a freeware compressor. Guess what the other are?:hihi:
minor diferences as a little more ring in the snare will be the same as between two hardware compressors even comparing the same model.

I did the test over headphones in my laptop, but I think shows clearly that there a a good bunch of plugin compressors out there without the artifacts Shy is telling, even at extreme settings.
Also there are tools for emulating the non-linearities in the input/output stages of the hardware, some of them really good and free.
ITOH, I'm not putting my money in the Splitcomp...

[kvaca]

OK, I'll bite...

I recreated the slate compressor using 9 different plugins, including a free fave of mine.

You can download the archive here:http://www.slingfile.com/file/hgdRZ2rT9C
Just click in the "slow download" button

klinik-so many nice examples of good sofware compressors,its very hard to find among them any with that infamous "broken sound" ...maybe X file is the right "broken" example, but most of them sounds good to excellent compared to Splitcomp version...so it appears that there are more usable software compressors than diehard hardware fans ever expected...

[frankjcc2003]

Just uploaded the file to mediafire so downloading will be faster and better:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dhqdcxna3wp3p9a

The original files (dry, slate dragon and SComp) are inside the .rar as well.

Frankjcc, I'm giving you a clue: "T" is "TG" "M" is a freeware compressor. Guess what the other are?:hihi:
minor diferences as a little more ring in the snare will be the same as between two hardware compressors even comparing the same model.

I did the test over headphones in my laptop, but I think shows clearly that there a a good bunch of plugin compressors out there without the artifacts Shy is telling, even at extreme settings.
Also there are tools for emulating the non-linearities in the input/output stages of the hardware, some of them really good and free.
ITOH, I'm not putting my money in the Splitcomp...

I went back to this test and started playing with some compressors I have, the 1st one I tested reminded me of one of your examples. I don't even know when or where I got the nightshine compressors but it reminded me of of your example G. It sounds just like G even though that's not the one I chose to be closest to slate dragon. G has soft clip as to be expected to be able to get the same level of the slate. Now I think one of your examples has a compressor with the characteristics of the slate driven into the night shine for volume match.