are there really no good free vst compressors?

[zeep]

i tried it too tame a bass that was wild and couldn't get it to work right even with it's supposed super fast attack, and the other times i have only tried it to smash drums. Interesting. I'll give it a more general workout then.

Are the algos inside the triple version identical, is it just three bands of precisely rough rider freeware?

Almost precisely.
AD changed some numbering of ranges vs knob turning distance here and there if i recall correct, so copying a setting from rough rider takes a bit of effort and may sound a bit different.

The compression character however feels the same.

A sidenote, RRP's factory presets are very different from what i was used with RR. I've often used presets from RR but never from RRP. You really need to set up yourself for it to shine.

[camsr]

i tried it too tame a bass that was wild and couldn't get it to work right even with it's supposed super fast attack, and the other times i have only tried it to smash drums. Interesting. I'll give it a more general workout then.

Are the algos inside the triple version identical, is it just three bands of precisely rough rider freeware?

It's not great on basses, but percussion and other things.

[A.M. Gold]

Edit: wrong thread.

This remark was about the FAT-FET:

I didn't have that problem, sounds fine on the bass samples I used, but that was only one or two.

[zerocrossing]

Audio Damage's Rough Rider is one of my favorite compressors free or otherwise.

[Resetti]

One of my favorites is the L3V3LL3R "leveling amp" compressor at platinumeers.com. The IQ4GUI Dynamic Compressor is a nice multiband with upward compression and the G8 noise gate is a standard for me.

[trimph1]

Audio Damage's Rough Rider is one of my favorite compressors free or otherwise.

This. Great compressors, either way.

[recursive one]

Rough rider lives up to it's name. TOO rough. Have never been able to find a use for it.. Anyone else?

Tried on different percussion, always replaced with smth else. It has some strange character, probably good for certain material but i also have yet to find good use for it.

Xfer OTT does kinda similar thing but, imo, the results are more pleasing. If the OP doesn't hear what compressors do, he should definitely try OTT (also free)

[arkmabat]

Rough rider lives up to it's name. TOO rough. Have never been able to find a use for it.. Anyone else?

Tried on different percussion, always replaced with smth else. It has some strange character, probably good for certain material but i also have yet to find good use for it.

Xfer OTT does kinda similar thing but, imo, the results are more pleasing. If the OP doesn't hear what compressors do, he should definitely try OTT (also free)

Throw it on a dull snare drum.... !!!

[jens]

now i do realize that might be because it's 'transparent'.. but if i can't hear much diff a/b-ing then what's the point of using it..

Fast/Slow attack by default?

Edit: whoops just thought about the name - the phatt implies character and prolly slower attack

Soundonsound have a few good articles which fairly well explain the basic concept of dynamic compression.


http://www.soundonsound.com/articles

[jens]

I must have really low standards, I find nearly any software compressor to be good.

That most probably means you actually know why and how compressors are meant to be used.


I think people nowadays by far do not spend enough time to learn stuff - it seems they just download dozens of plugins, arbitrarily try a few presets with promising names ("vintage boom boom" , "ultra-phat bottom" "sparkly sparkly sparkly" "shine like the sun") and expect them to lead to a signal change which matches the diffuse concept they have about the process at hand. And when this does not work, they blame the plugin.

[jens]

Compressors apply gain reduction, what else do you expect?

No, they apply dynamic reduction - for gain reduction you have your channel faders (etc.).

[jens]

The PSP mastercomp at 50$ is worth the price of admission.

Sometimes spending a little can get you a lot.

And what do you think Master Comp would bring on the table at least one of the various freeware comps mentioned in this thread does not offer? As you suggest a specific purchase, I take you have a very clear idea of the specific advantage this specific purchase will yield (otherwise you would not advice other people to spend their hard-earned dosh, or would you?).

[camsr]

Compressors apply gain reduction, what else do you expect?

No, they apply dynamic reduction - for gain reduction you have your channel faders (etc.).

But if a fader is JUST gain reduction, that must mean it can never be moved? Because surely it is not DYNAMIC. To assume the gain fader can replace the compressor for the same mixing process is absurd. Now that I think really hard, all gains are the same

[camsr]

The PSP mastercomp at 50$ is worth the price of admission.

Sometimes spending a little can get you a lot.

And what do you think Master Comp would bring on the table at least one of the various freeware comps mentioned in this thread does not offer? As you suggest a specific purchase, I take you have a very clear idea of the specific advantage this specific purchase will yield (otherwise you would not advice other people to spend their hard-earned dosh, or would you?).

I gotta agree it was a poor argument.

[jens]

Well software compressors in general free or paid don't stack up to hardware. They don't have the richness or bigness that real hardware has. A lot of it seems to be the harmonics that are missing.
>snip<

i can't believe this myth still being in the heads of some... by today one should really know better... oh well...

Read the rest of his posts in this thread, Brok - he most obviously barely knows what compressors actually do.