Best free 64bit alternative for VOS Thrillseeker LA and DLM SixtyFive (SOLVED!)

[crimsonwarlock]

damn quote button when you want to edit

[sleepcircle]

I said the two of you were, not just you.

And you're being patronizing right now. All this syrupy chiding, the rhetorical questions, as if you're talking to a stubborn child who doesn't want to admit the truth. As if you're not actually trying to embarrass or deride each other or, for that matter, me, now. This faux-pleasantry.

I DID try to help you, remember. I may not have done a very good job, but it was an honest attempt.

[heavymetalmixer]

So to make things even more clear, and for those interested in a well-performing vocal chain, here's my complete setup:

Hardware

- Microphone: Rode NT
- DBX 286s: very light pre-processing before the signal hits the converter
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (paired with an OctoPre for more IO)

Software (all freeware)

- Sleepy Time Records MonoChannel: input gainstaging and high pass filter
- Reaper ReaEQ: surgical corrections if needed
- AXP SoftAmp 30D: input stage saturation (very subtle)
- Thrillseeker LA (now replaced with ADHD Leveling Tool): very lite leveling compression to get a smooth vocal
- DLM SixtyFive: fast compression to catch any peaks the 'leveling amp' couldn't catch
- Sonimus SonEQ: coloring/program EQ to sculpt the sound further
- Klanghelm IVGI2: additional saturation/distortion to heat up the vocals if needed.

So currently DLM SixtyFive is the last 32bit plugin in my chain.

There is no De-essing plugin in my chain because the DBX has a very good de-esser already.

The closest compressor I can recommend to replace the DLC SixtyFive is TDR NOVA 2 on Precise + Mode. Why? Two reasons:
1) The SixtyFive is an RMS compressor with the classic compressor settings and soft knee. NOVA too (including the RMS part).

2) The Precise + Mode (with the "+") adds subtle saturation, so it doens't sound "clean and digital".

Now, you only need to use NOVA as a "wideband" compressor, by clicking anywhere in the plugin where there are no buttons at all. The wideband controls should appear.


Besides this recommendation and all the others already mentioned, I don't think there's anything else in the free world, we're kinda limited in options when it comes to very specific functions or sounds.

[kvaca]

I see that Acustica's TAN compressor does sub 1ms attack times. Anyone here have experience with this one. Is it any good?

if the reason of your interest in free plugins is to avoid some problems, then you should know this: any Acustica=even more problems...so you have been warned

btw- if you still looking for 65 style compressor, then there is sknote dbx165...its inexpensive payware with no activation /and sadly no demo/, you even got as bonus analog-style limiter with this for free

[crimsonwarlock]

The closest compressor I can recommend to replace the DLC SixtyFive is TDR NOVA 2 on Precise + Mode.

Thanks again for that constructive suggestion. Will look at it.

Besides this recommendation and all the others already mentioned, I don't think there's anything else in the free world, we're kinda limited in options when it comes to very specific functions or sounds.

I don't completely agree with you here. There are some real gems to be found if you (me) start looking at specific behavior. For example the Dead Duck compressor seems to have an SSL channel compressor vibe to it, according to some people who use it like that. It also is a 'fast'compressor with, as it stands, a certain character to it. I'm going to test that one as well.

Mind you, as I have a working chain, I can try out almost everything 'in place'. Still have to test some of the CM options. Funny enough the CM Fat-Fet, which is specifically aiming at 1176 territory, didn't sound convincing in my setup. This is the thing with DLM SixtyFive, you don't hear it compress but you definitely hear the very obvious result on the vocal, it is quite impressive in that regard. It is indeed like a very transparent limiter, but at the same time not exactly the same effect. It's actually pretty hard to describe, but I know what I'm looking for

[crimsonwarlock]

if the reason of your interest in free plugins is to avoid some problems, then you should know this: any Acustica=even more problems...so you have been warned

I am aware of that, but thanks for the heads up. I didn't download it thus far for that reason

btw- sknote dbx165 is cheap payware but with no activation/and sadly no demo/

I keep that as an another option besides Klanghelm DC8 if I can't find anything in the free realm. However, no demo also means no chance to see if it performs as needed in my vocal chain

[crimsonwarlock]

And you're being patronizing right now.

I guess there's a lot that you perceive as being patronizing. Oh well..... moving on.

[kvaca]

btw- sknote dbx165 is cheap payware but with no activation/and sadly no demo/

I keep that as an another option besides Klanghelm DC8 if I can't find anything in the free realm. However, no demo also means no chance to see if it performs as needed in my vocal chain

well, still there are some ways to demo it...at first ask Quinto, he seems friendly and helpful...he also offer simple buy-return /if not happy/method of pseudo-demo...

[hannesmenzel]

So to make things even more clear, and for those interested in a well-performing vocal chain, here's my complete setup:

Hardware

- Microphone: Rode NT
- DBX 286s: very light pre-processing before the signal hits the converter
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (paired with an OctoPre for more IO)

Software (all freeware)

- Sleepy Time Records MonoChannel: input gainstaging and high pass filter
- Reaper ReaEQ: surgical corrections if needed
- AXP SoftAmp 30D: input stage saturation (very subtle)
- Thrillseeker LA (now replaced with ADHD Leveling Tool): very lite leveling compression to get a smooth vocal
- DLM SixtyFive: fast compression to catch any peaks the 'leveling amp' couldn't catch
- Sonimus SonEQ: coloring/program EQ to sculpt the sound further
- Klanghelm IVGI2: additional saturation/distortion to heat up the vocals if needed.

So currently DLM SixtyFive is the last 32bit plugin in my chain.

There is no De-essing plugin in my chain because the DBX has a very good de-esser already.

Since you are using Reaper most likely you can try these stillwell plugins which come with Reaper as JS versions. I think the 1176 version is called Rocket. I can't say much about the quality because I have another 1176 plugin, but some people really like them.

EDIT: but you want to replace the Sixty Five so the stillwell counterpart would be "majortom"

[crimsonwarlock]

Since you are using Reaper most likely you can try these stillwell plugins which come with Reaper as JS versions. I think the 1176 version is called Rocket. I can't say much about the quality because I have another 1176 plugin, but some people really like them.

EDIT: but you want to replace the Sixty Five so the stillwell counterpart would be "majortom"

Yep, have tried them, and they where mentioned before in this thread. Major Tom JS doesn't have a reduction readout, so setting it reliable at around 3 dB reduction for the particular vocal stem (which is part of the setup) is kinda hard.

Besides that, I'm no fan of Reaper's default FX gui. I also have all the AirWindows stuff but hardly use any of that for the same reason. Still hoping they'll fix this for Reaper V6

[The Noodlist]

Since you are using Reaper most likely you can try these stillwell plugins which come with Reaper as JS versions. I think the 1176 version is called Rocket. I can't say much about the quality because I have another 1176 plugin, but some people really like them.

EDIT: but you want to replace the Sixty Five so the stillwell counterpart would be "majortom"

There's one called 1175.

[crimsonwarlock]

There's one called 1175.

Yep, tried that one as well

[crimsonwarlock]

OK, final testing results are in, I think I've got to the point where I'm quite happy with the results

In place of SixtyFive I finally settled on either DeadDuck Compressor, CM Analog87 by eaReckon or CM Ignite Vice One, depending on the material.

DeadDuck Compressor, as I've seen mentioned elsewhere and can now agree to from my testing, has indeed an SSL channel comp vibe to it. It is pretty clean but hypes certain frequencies that are reminiscent of 80's rock vocals, known for being produced on SSL boards. I like it a lot for that and it is my primary choice for the second compressor in my chain.

CM Analog87 is close to DD Compressor but has a slower minimum attack and gives a slight different sound. I might use this instead of DD Compressor when the source material asks for it. It's not less capable then DD Comp, just different.

Finally CM Ignite Vice One is the most analog sounding of the three (to my ears) and will probably sit better in the mix for backing vocals or more bluesy stuff. Very nice to have that option now as well. It does not have a very fast attack, but it has a look-ahead function that compensates somewhat for that.

I have all three compressors in my default vocal chain, with basic vocal setup for each, with one active and the others bypassed so I can quickly switch to hear if another option works better in place. I can say this is a real killer setup for me and in my view it is more flexible then what I started with.

So I like to thank everyone here who suggested stuff for me to look at. I'm seriously happy right now as this newly composed chain will make my vocals mixing that more fun and certainly at least a bit more easy, as making vocals sit well in a mix (in progrock/symphonic rock) is not that easy.

[funky lime]

edit: Was going to suggest the 1175 JSFX but nevermind, just saw the post a few above mine

[heavymetalmixer]

OK, final testing results are in, I think I've got to the point where I'm quite happy with the results

In place of SixtyFive I finally settled on either DeadDuck Compressor, CM Analog87 by eaReckon or CM Ignite Vice One, depending on the material.

DeadDuck Compressor, as I've seen mentioned elsewhere and can now agree to from my testing, has indeed an SSL channel comp vibe to it. It is pretty clean but hypes certain frequencies that are reminiscent of 80's rock vocals, known for being produced on SSL boards. I like it a lot for that and it is my primary choice for the second compressor in my chain.

CM Analog87 is close to DD Compressor but has a slower minimum attack and gives a slight different sound. I might use this instead of DD Compressor when the source material asks for it. It's not less capable then DD Comp, just different.

Finally CM Ignite Vice One is the most analog sounding of the three (to my ears) and will probably sit better in the mix for backing vocals or more bluesy stuff. Very nice to have that option now as well. It does not have a very fast attack, but it has a look-ahead function that compensates somewhat for that.

I have all three compressors in my default vocal chain, with basic vocal setup for each, with one active and the others bypassed so I can quickly switch to hear if another option works better in place. I can say this is a real killer setup for me and in my view it is more flexible then what I started with.

So I like to thank everyone here who suggested stuff for me to look at. I'm seriously happy right now as this newly composed chain will make my vocals mixing that more fun and certainly at least a bit more easy, as making vocals sit well in a mix (in progrock/symphonic rock) is not that easy.

HO, so the similarities with SSL channels aren't only from the GUI, interesting. Now I have a reason to use the DD Compressor