KVR Audio

subterfuge · Post by **subterfuge** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 6:27 am

edit: rant aside...

I have had TrackComp right from the release. Back then, based on my needs it was a choice between Presswerk and TC. Today it would be the same. I'm sure Pulsar is fine as a single model, but for a good quality selection of classic compressor models , TC is hard to beat.

Mind Riot · Post by **Mind Riot** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:21 am

Wow, everybody recommending Trackcomp 2! I guess I shouldn't be surprised; I have EQuality and have used it as my main EQ for over ten years. I've been singing its praises whenever somebody asks for a clean EQ, or an EQ with the best high end boost, for more than a decade. DMG Audio's stuff is just superb.

I must be honest, when I started this thread I was leaning toward getting the 1178 and was just curious what kind of responses I'd get. Now I'm reconsidering, but I can't help from feeling some sort of way about how many of my compressors, all carefully acquired over years on a shoestring budget except for those from IK's giveaway, would end up sitting doing nothing. I mean, I just bought MJUC which everybody raves about and I've barely used it, much less really gotten to know its capabilities. I've also really been getting into channel strip plugins lately and using something like Trackcomp would negate the onboard compressors that are so important to the signal flow of plugs like that.

whassup · Post by **whassup** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 8:41 am

Yeah, basically what bmanic said about TrackComp. It is worth it. Getting to know the extra tweaks that TrackComp offers are cool and make lotsa difference.

a9k1tp · Post by **a9k1tp** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:18 am

TrackComp 2, it is a must have. Others can be purchased later.

escalona · Post by **escalona** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:39 pm

There are both awesome and great sounding compressors. Pulsar is one compressor. TC2 is a whole bunch of different compressors. For variety´s sake I´d go with TC2 unless you´re looking specifically for that 1178 sound/use.

fese · Post by **fese** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:57 pm

The only downside for me with TC2 is the user interface. I just don’t gel with it, it is somewhat too fiddly, even if resized. And I just can’t stand horizontal sliders, they don’t make sense to me. Give me knobs any day! (Don’t quote that!). I’ve nothing against a flat functional UI interface, I love how e.g. Fircomp2 looks, and the whole layout makes more sense to me. TC feels too cramped and uninviting, which is a pity, because I don’t use it as much as it deserves…

pekbro · Post by **pekbro** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 8:13 pm

I use the DMG Track series stuff a lot, especially the limiter. Pulsar audio is pretty new for me, while I haven't tried the 1178, I am seriously considering the Massive bundle. I am largely impressed with their stuff overall.

whassup · Post by **whassup** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:31 pm

fese wrote: Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:57 pm The only downside for me with TC2 is the user interface. I just don’t gel with it, it is somewhat too fiddly, even if resized. And I just can’t stand horizontal sliders, they don’t make sense to me. Give me knobs any day! (Don’t quote that!).

Yeah, I'm with you on that. Good that TrackComp works well with the mouse wheel. Otherwise it would be really strange to work with the horizontal sliders. Some british thinking in this interface. But yeah. Sound is so worth it to me. There are way worse interfaces. So happy that other good sounding plugins have more appealing interfaces.

Mind Riot · Post by **Mind Riot** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 1:40 am

Does Trackcomp 2 offer any features for the compressors that go beyond the original designs? Like a sidechain for the 76 models?

sevaels · Post by **sevaels** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:58 am

bmanic wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 7:14 pm The only thing is that it can be a bit fiddly to setup at first. You need to "learn" it and realize how the various gain staging within it works. Once you do, it's quick to use and provides superb results.

Could you please elaborate?

planet_b · Post by **planet_b** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:54 am

Oh and if mr. bManic has made any new presets for Trackcomp to share, I'm sure everyone would be eternally grateful.

I use those Gbus presets all the time..

whassup · Post by **whassup** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:26 am

Mind Riot wrote: Thu Nov 17, 2022 1:40 am Does Trackcomp 2 offer any features for the compressors that go beyond the original designs? Like a sidechain for the 76 models?

Seriously, check the demo.
Yes it has an external sidechain.
There are additional parameters. E.g. on the two 76 models is an additional Bias control. Does interesting things to the sound.
Attack and Release ranges are extended or even there for the first time as in the LA2a model. Very cool.

whassup · Post by **whassup** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:27 am

planet_b wrote: Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:54 am Oh and if mr. bManic has made any new presets for Trackcomp to share, I'm sure everyone would be eternally grateful. I use those Gbus presets all the time..

Bmanic is Mr. Compressor! I learned so many things from him.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Mon Nov 21, 2022 3:46 am

planet_b wrote: Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:54 am Oh and if mr. bManic has made any new presets for Trackcomp to share, I'm sure everyone would be eternally grateful. I use those Gbus presets all the time..

Sure, I've made quite a few presets this year and I've compiled them all today for you.

You can download them here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JNHZir ... share_link

You can also directly download them from this post at Gearspace.com, in case the google drive link doesn't work for you.

https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.ph ... count=1161

kmonkey · Post by **kmonkey** » Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:38 am

TrackComp2 is the pinnacle of DSP and the sound you can get from it is amazing. So is Pulsar 1178.

In the end, I am using Pulsar 1178 even though I own DMG TrackComp2 (and Equilibrium which is an EQ so is offtopic).

I almost never use TrackComp, ever. I purchased it because I couldn't pass the sound of it, so I am a sucker for sound.

Why then? Workflow and that's it. This is a VERY VERY subjective area so your best bet is to Trial both and see how you will work with them.

For some reason or some peculiar stuff in my head, I could never click with Trackcomp modern graphical GUI.

This must be something in my mind but I simply prefer hardware-like units when it comes to compression FX (for reverbs I prefer modern tabbed interfaces). No, it's not "I am trying to convince myself I am using hardware" or something silly, I simply prefer knobs when it comes to compressions. It is silly but I need to "dial in" which isn't that far from moving a fader (trackcomp) but that is all..

Again this is very subjective but I couldn't stand TrackComp2 GUI no matter how hard I tried I really tried because the sound is fantastic but the GUI always bothered me when I tried to work with it. These days I am using UAD or Pulsar and that's that.

Your mileage may vary as well so try both and see for yourself.

Trying to decide: Pulsar 1178 or DMG Audio TrackComp 2