Distressor Shootout: Arouser vs Comprexxor vs Deflector vs Disto-S vs FG-Stress

[plexuss]

UPDATE (new mix and more Distressor emus added, poll reset)
As a result of the discussions over in this thread here is a comparison of 5 compressors. I dialed each one in manually working to get all 5 to sound as close as possible. The exercise was a bit of a challenge to get them to sound the same, which is something to note.

I've posted the 5 tracks on Soundcloud and enabled downloads if you want to download the uncompressed files. I've also included the DRY version with no compression. I also ensured the tracks were loudness matched. Each track is processed through Limitless to target -16.0 LUFS and ensure no ISPs - there is little to no limiting on the final renders.

There is a poll to start with. Listen to the 5 different compressors and vote which one you think sounds the best. After awhile I will reveal which is which and some other info about them. I've enabled changing of your vote if you decide to.


Compressor A

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... IK0ZcMJMvn


Compressor B

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... WDt2MvWmgg


Compressor C

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... 2O4R4jNix0


Compressor D

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... tXcKloFE4I


Compressor E

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... XyeYIH9HOl


DRY

https://soundcloud.com/musicofplexus/di ... DFj425Gkwe

[SoftSynthLover99]

On first listen A and C sound really similar and B sounds a bit more “punchy” than the other two.

I would say B is FG-Stress, A is Comprexxor and C is SKnote Disto. Although this guess is based on initial listen for about 10 secs each.

Very cool poll!

[SoftSynthLover99]

I wouldn’t be surprised if all my guesses were wrong though lol the only one of the 3 I’ve had extensive mixing time with is FG-Stress. I haven’t put in the time mixing with Comprexxor yet to really be able to pick it out blindly.

[illegal4Hunna]

I own all three of these so I might be cheating here.

C is FG-Stress. FG-Stress has this way of compressing things that makes everything smaller & inconsistent and the top end becomes harsh and pokey. I hate FG-Stress.

Prefer B I think, but A and B are both very nice so hard to decide.

If I had to guess, I'd say A is Comprexxor and B is Disto-S.

[briefcasemanx]

The source sample used is very weird to me. Impossible to pick one due to the source.

[jamcat]

Agreed. I greatly appreciate plexuss' effort here, but I can't wrap my head around what "sounds best" even means in this context.

Really, a good test should be of a dynamic acoustic track IN A MIX. For some reason, everyone uses solo tracks for audio examples. That's alright for synths and ampsims, but it makes little sense for EQs and absolutely no sense for compressors.

Compression is all about how a track relates to other tracks and sits in the mix.

A good test would be of a 4-piece band (guitar, bass, vocal, drums), lightly mixed, with each instrument taking a turn trying on the different plugins for a total of 12 clips.

That would be a bit of an undertaking for one guy on KVR to do, and probably an unreasonable request. It would make for good content from one of KVR's resident YouTubers, though.

[plexuss]

There is no one source that is going to satisfy everyone. Typically when I am demoing compressors I start with electronic drums from a source with varied level sounds with a variety of transients. Something not so dense that I can't hear the compressors attack and release. As I set out to compare these 3 compressors, for my own use, I was getting enough from the test using that drums track, that I decided to roll with it. Sorry if it's not appropriate for you to determine anything. We all hear things differently.

[mixtur.se]

There is no one source that is going to satify everyone. Typically when I am demoing compressors I start with electronic drums from a source with varied level sounds with a variety of transients. Something not so dense that I can't hear the compressors attack and release. As I set out to compare these 3 compressors, for my own use, I was getting enough from the test using that drums track, that I decided to roll with it. Sorry if it's not appropriate for you to determine anything. We all hear things differently.

I do the same to understand how a specific compressor sounds, and based on that I would understand how to use it. The best source for me is a loop/drum sequence with a full kit as it pretty much covers the full frequency spectrum and has sounds with shorts transients as well as longer decays.

[mixtur.se]

A -more grit and distortion in the transients
B - slightly “wooly” with more low end, most punch of the 3
C- most transparent, less character

I liked B best, then A and C the least on this particular source.

[plexuss]

There is no one source that is going to satify everyone. Typically when I am demoing compressors I start with electronic drums from a source with varied level sounds with a variety of transients. Something not so dense that I can't hear the compressors attack and release. As I set out to compare these 3 compressors, for my own use, I was getting enough from the test using that drums track, that I decided to roll with it. Sorry if it's not appropriate for you to determine anything. We all hear things differently.

I do the same to understand how a specific compressor sounds, and based on that I would understand how to use it. The best source for me is a loop/drum sequence with a full kit as it pretty much covers the full frequency spectrum and has sounds with shorts transients as well as longer decays.

Yes this source is particularily sparce. However it allows the quieter parts of the dynamics to be heard clearly.

One other aspect to listen for is how the compressors dynamics interact with the rhythmn which can compliment or interfer with the vibe and feel.

Anotehr aspect is the distortion each imparts and it's character. Lots to listen for.

[briefcasemanx]

I think the issue is this sample is mostly just transients with little body. When I test a compressor I want to hear what it does to the body of the sound, that's the most important part. What happens on material that's mostly transients is not very important IMO unless maybe it's a fixed attack compressor or something.

[HcDoom]

A less punch + big body
B fat punch + big body
C punchy + thin body

I would never say they emulate same piece of gear as the character in all three is totally different.

[MadDogE134]

i like C... punchy and does the job without resonant ring that is especially noticeable on the kick with A and B. not into the 'boing' sound lol just my opinion mind you

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

As a result of the discussions over in this thread here is a comparison of these 3 compressors. I dialed each one in manually working to get all 3 to sound as close as possible. The exercise was a bit of a challenge to get them to sound the same, which is something to note.

I've posted the 3 tracks on Soundcloud and enabled downloads if you want to download the uncompressed files. I've also included the DRY version with no compression. I also ensured the tracks were loudness matched. Each track is processed through Limitless to target -16.0 LUFS and ensure no ISPs - there is little to no limiting on the final renders.

There is a poll to start with. Listen to the 3 different compressors and vote which one you think sounds the best. After awhile I will reveal which is which and some other info about them.

The poll is open for 3 days and I've enabled changing of your vote if you decide to.

Plexxus, if you're interested and want to send me your FG-Stress or Comprexxor settings I can try to match them on Arousor and the UAD Distressor and send you those as well for a bigger pool. Or a whole new poll. If interested, PM me.

[plexuss]

Plexxus, if you're interested and want to send me your FG-Stress or Comprexxor settings I can try to match them on Arousor and the UAD Distressor and send you those as well for a bigger pool. Or a whole new poll. If interested, PM me.

That's a great idea! However I found that between the 3 plugins I used here there was no direct correlation between their settings - I had to manually dial in each one by ear. With that in mind, you could download the DRY version and dial in your plugins to sound as close to what I have here. Then send me those audio tracks and I will add them to this thread and poll. Let me know!