Go-to track compressor?
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 80 posts since 30 Jun, 2013 from Boston, MA
I discovered yesterday that my beloved Focusrite Red 3 compressor renders at different levels offline than it plays in real-time and that, when pushed hard, the difference can be significant. It is therefore unusable.
What compressor would people recommend as a go-to? I use a lot of orchestral instruments, so need a lot of range and potentially very low thresholds. It also needs to be light on CPU so it can be used on almost every track.
Thanks for the help!
What compressor would people recommend as a go-to? I use a lot of orchestral instruments, so need a lot of range and potentially very low thresholds. It also needs to be light on CPU so it can be used on almost every track.
Thanks for the help!
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- KVRAF
- 3469 posts since 1 Sep, 2016
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- KVRian
- 1373 posts since 16 Jan, 2018 from Portland, OR USA
+1 ...also in that order for me.Vortifex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp
Klanghelm DC8C
Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
“In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded.”
- KVRAF
- 1672 posts since 3 Aug, 2017 from San Diego, CA
DC8C3 is a champ, I’ve been using it a lot more lately.Vortifex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp
Klanghelm DC8C
Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
My go-to most of the time is Blue Cat’s Dynamics, especially for more surgical duties.
Kotelnikov GE is also excellent.
All 3 of these compressors cover my needs plenty well enough.
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- KVRian
- 749 posts since 2 Aug, 2013
The 3 Arturia compressors, i don't see it mentioned enough. And of course, the glue.
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 11449 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
One of my favorites is still Novatron by Kush. Hard to make that thing sound bad.
DMG's TrackComp offers insane value.
Other stuff: Fabfilter's Pro-C, Arousor from Empirical Labs, AR-1 from Kush, any of the UAD comps are excellent, Mu from Pulsar, the Fuse Audio compressors...there's tons of great stuff out there.
DMG's TrackComp offers insane value.
Other stuff: Fabfilter's Pro-C, Arousor from Empirical Labs, AR-1 from Kush, any of the UAD comps are excellent, Mu from Pulsar, the Fuse Audio compressors...there's tons of great stuff out there.
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- KVRian
- 1030 posts since 26 Feb, 2018
In the spirit, I'll answer what I actually use the most: McDSP 6050 (see also 6030 and 6060).
My go-tos are the LA-2A and 3A, the varimu (mootube), and the overeasy DBX.
CPU is 0%, I can run a million instances. I don't think it runs on CPU, just hopes and dreams.
Option #2 if I had to pick only one thing would be the Scheps Omni for the 3 comps (but I'd run out of CPU if used everywhere). Realistically I end up putting BX_opto on a lot of things (very low CPU, super easy to dial in, works 80% of the time), and for buses I keep leaning on TB Bus Compressor for the partial stereo link (Kotelnikov does this too, but at higher CPU).
Other than that (for tracks and buses), I can pretty much give back all my other comps and never miss them, except for the stuff I use on the master.
My go-tos are the LA-2A and 3A, the varimu (mootube), and the overeasy DBX.
CPU is 0%, I can run a million instances. I don't think it runs on CPU, just hopes and dreams.
Option #2 if I had to pick only one thing would be the Scheps Omni for the 3 comps (but I'd run out of CPU if used everywhere). Realistically I end up putting BX_opto on a lot of things (very low CPU, super easy to dial in, works 80% of the time), and for buses I keep leaning on TB Bus Compressor for the partial stereo link (Kotelnikov does this too, but at higher CPU).
Other than that (for tracks and buses), I can pretty much give back all my other comps and never miss them, except for the stuff I use on the master.
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- KVRist
- 103 posts since 18 Apr, 2014
Waves eMo D5 Dynamics - lots of options, low CPU zero latency
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- KVRian
- 1030 posts since 26 Feb, 2018
How would you describe the compressor's character?Pingafuego wrote: ↑Tue Oct 15, 2019 2:22 am Waves eMo D5 Dynamics - lots of options, low CPU zero latency
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el-bo (formerly ebow) el-bo (formerly ebow) https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=208007
- KVRAF
- 16368 posts since 24 May, 2009 from A galaxy, far far away
For workflow convenience I normally use Logic's incuded plugins. Either that, or making primary eq & comp moves with Wavearts' Trackplug. I do also use both of the Klanghelm comps.
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- KVRAF
- 4709 posts since 26 Nov, 2015 from Way Downunder
Reaching for Pro-C2 / Glue / Kotelnikov.
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- KVRAF
- 2552 posts since 2 Jul, 2010
I need to cut back my "go-to box", trying out too many at the moment... But for OP's application I'd say DC8C. Don't forget to use the "styles" presets, it's easier than adjusting the shape, RMS and programme-dependence.
- Banned
- 7624 posts since 13 Nov, 2015 from Norway
TDR Feedback Compressor v1.
Thrillseeker LA and VBL
King Tao KT-C
Klanghelm DC1A3, DC8C3 and MJUC Jr
Marc O. Hornplans MC ONE Free
Thrillseeker LA and VBL
King Tao KT-C
Klanghelm DC1A3, DC8C3 and MJUC Jr
Marc O. Hornplans MC ONE Free
EnergyXT3 - LMMS - FL Studio | Roland SH201 - Waldorf Rocket | SoundCloud - Bandcamp
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- KVRAF
- 2063 posts since 14 Sep, 2004 from $HOME
Bought TrackComp recently after being rather sceptical for a while (don't like horizontal faders), but now I love it and I use it all over the place. With the new beta version it's now seven or eight compressor models for 80 bucks - great value for money.Vortifex wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp
Klanghelm DC8C
Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
DC8C is dirt cheap and super flexible, but TrackComp is just so much easier and faster to use...
TB_Compressor from the Toneboosters TrackEssential bundle is also a great track comp, I still use it here and there.