KVR Audio

loopdon · Post by **loopdon** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:35 am

EXT kinda scares me. must try it, though. on my to-do list!

Blue Cat Audio · Post by **Blue Cat Audio** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:42 pm

Hello,

Is there a compression guru out there interested in including our dynamics processor in this test?

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:15 pm

Hi.. sorry I'm working on this but right now I'm too ill to hear properly! Was struck by some nasty influenza virus.

Cheers!
bManic

Blue Cat Audio · Post by **Blue Cat Audio** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:05 pm

Great! Good luck with your virus...

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:11 am

Access Virus.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:52 pm

I'd rather have one of them yes..

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:03 pm

Ok, I've added some examples of what the BlueCat Dynamics plugin can do. Please note that my hearing is not in very good shape right now so some of the examples might be a bit extreme or too subtle.

BlueCat Dynamics compressor plugin is what I would call a "tweakers dream" and is highly recommended if you know what you are doing. If you are beginner, this might not be a good place to start learning unless you like challenges. It allows the user to dial in some really extreme settings that can cause huge bursts of noise and ear/monitor damage so I recommend keeping the volume way down when experimenting!

Also, this compressor is not what I would call "instantly musical" but instead needs the user to understand exactly what attack, hold, and the two different release knobs do. This is VITAL to get the desired results. However, when you DO know what to do, you can perform tasks with this thing that I have not been able to reproduce with anything else (just listen to the "stutter" and "unique pumping" examples). The overall 'sound' of this compressor is clean, very clean.

There is only 1 more feature that I would like to see added to this beast of a compressor, namely a possibility change the 'shape' of the attack and release curves. Somehow they feel a bit linear now which is part of the reason it's a bit harder to get truly 'musical' results quickly. This is especially noticeable when you dial in release times that are really close to the dips and peaks of the transients, that kind of "riding on the transients" compression is very hard to achieve without the ability to tweak the curve/shape of the attack and release (for a good example on how much the curve, or shape affects the behaviour, check out Voxengo Crunchessor and try the different F, S and U modes of the attack knob).

Overall it's a very flexible compressor that provides just enough unique features and sound to be highly recommended!

Snappy and tight compression on a beat, using BlueCat Dynamics
Unique pumping compression on a beat, using BlueCat Dynamics
Transparent leveling compression, using BlueCat Dynamic
Heavier "slam" compression (long attack), using BlueCat Dynamics
Unique kind of pumping, done with BlueCat Dynamics
Another unique kind of compression, using BlueCat Dynamics
Transparent compression on vocals using BlueCat Dynamics
Heavy compression on vocals using BlueCat Dynamics

Original beat sample
Original dry drum loop
Original, dry vocal sample

EDIT: Here you can download the presets (+some others) that I created while experimenting with the plugin.

Cheers!
bManic

illusionist77 · Post by **illusionist77** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:55 am

Hi bmanic,

Would it be possible to add preset files for the Blue Cat's compressor? Also, could you please publish some additional presets/examples in regards to vocal compression? (Female

)

What would be your current, preferred compressor plug in for vocals (smooth, gentle, nicely rounded etc)?
Thanks very much for this great thread.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:32 pm

Yes, I have the presets for the BlueCat plugin. I'll add them to the post today.

As for vocal compression, I don't know.. it depends so much on the type of music but for smooth, gentle, dynamic "riding" in a jazz/slow rock/classical song there are many plugins that could do the job quite well. For instance, I would imagine (though I'm not sure as I don't own the plugin) that Voxengo Polysquasher might be nearly invisible. Also, BlueCat dynamics can be tweaked to be very transparent. The wet/dry knob helps a lot here (though you really need to know how to tweak it or get real lucky while experimenting!

).

Then there is the excellent, free, MjCompressor. It can be incredibly smooth and would be the compressor that I reach for first for this task. Again, you can use the wet/dry knob to your advantage here (basically parallel compression).

Last but not least is the Sonalksis compressor (SV-315). Set it's attack to fairly fast and auto release. Ratio to around 2 or 3:1 and then just tweak the knee to something like 20dB or even more. Then slightly dip the threshold down until you get the desired compression. It's very smooth.. (remeber to use the Type 2 algorithm, it's a bit smoother)

I'm sure I forgot to mention a whole bunch of compressors.. actually, one just came into my mind.. the UAD LA-2A comes to mind for this very task. It's where it's at it's best. Also, the Nebula2 Free compressor program can be tweaked to be extremely transparent.

Cheers!
bManic

kilroy · Post by **kilroy** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:28 pm

illusionist77 wrote:What would be your current, preferred compressor plug in for vocals (smooth, gentle, nicely rounded etc)?

If I was stuck with just using software...the Waves C1. A brilliant tool for shaping a vocal performance.

www.headroomproductions.com/Audio/WavesC1VocalMale.wav

Bmanic's original vox processed through the C1.

kilroy · Post by **kilroy** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:56 pm

Oh, and just because I happen be using it at the moment...the Waves RenComp on bmanic's "CuteBeat" drum loop.

http://www.headroomproductions.com/Audi ... iginal.wav

No shortage of Waves naysayers round about. Regardless, I still like the fat greasy texture you can get out of this comp. It has a quite lovely shaped bottom.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:17 am

Thanks for the examples kilroy! I'll put them up on the main page if you don't mind?

Cheers!
bManic

kilroy · Post by **kilroy** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:39 am

Aye...well, when your on about it, here's a wee trip doon memory lane. I'll wager no one has used this in a while...

http://www.headroomproductions.com/Audi ... iginal.wav

http://www.headroomproductions.com/Audi ... iginal.wav

Cakewalk's Dynamics Processor...an adjustable breakpoint compressor. This was actually not a bad way to interface with a dynamics processor, and with nine adjustable breakpoints, you could dial in some fairly mad tones.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:40 pm

Hey I do remember that one! Hah! Actually, doesn't Sony ACID/Vegas have something like that now? Isn't it basically the whole Soundforge plugin set (which I remember having a breakpoint compressor)?

I'll add those to the front page as well. Cheers man!
- bManic

birrbits · Post by **birrbits** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:52 pm

outstanding thread, thanks

All about compressors (links broken: sorry!)