So...
I keep reading about all of these "old compressors" and "old limiters" in the threads, but the only answer you mostly get is "get an UAD". EQ wise it's a complete own world (and I'm pretty much set for that). So... yeah... actually I'd like to get a piece of the cake myself, and even though I don't own a "true" LA-2A emulation (Gearbox, IMO too CPU intensive for just compressing), it's at least said to come close. I even have T-Racks, but the manual is not very helpful other than "these are built after old devices"
I'm curious which plugins (VST/RTAS, non DSP cards - or let's just stick to VST for now, RTAS wise it's Bombfactory and URS, though I'd love to have that bombfactory compressor or SMACK! in native VST form, or a RTAS to VST wrapper, not the other way around) are actually (close?) rebuilts of what. Since most manuals are only hinting or stating "like old devices", it's a guessing game.
Price is not an option this time, I just want to know what's available, even as some sort of overview for other readers maybe. So yeah, shoot away dear compressor guru's, and thanks in advance.
PS:
Antress sure looks like the old stuff, but I don't think it really is behinds it's GUIs.
LA2A, Fairchild, 1176LN, Neve 1093, ... plug in, plug away
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- KVRAF
- 14739 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
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- KVRist
- 46 posts since 5 Mar, 2008
I can't exactly tell you who emulates what, but I do know that...
1. URS's has done some of those emulations... I believe their channel strip is an uber-catalog of different EQ's and compressors...
2. McDSP also has done some of those emulations in their channel strip and filter bank...
I hope these help you a bit. Honestly, I'm a bit turned off on all the "vintage" hype. As some here might remember, a couple of months back I was doing some "R&D" around compressors, channel strips, and EQ's. After two months of asking, downloading, listening, comparing, changing, crashing, etc., I finally thought... "What the heck... I've never been in front of a Fairchild, much less know how one sounds... why do I pull my hair out over getting a 'Fairchild emulation'???". So, I decided to just try out stuff, and keep whatever sounded good to my ears. And I assembled my own channel strip with tools I already had!
1. Gearbox for the Mic preamp and pre-compressor EQ (I mainly use the Neve emulation, and turn off the LA2A compressor).
2. Daniel's TLs2095-LA or Density for compression. I might use Kjaerhus' Classic Compressor if I need something less agressive. I will try soon Compressive...
3. Voxengo's Overtone GEQ or CM's Electri-Q for post-compressor EQ. They both work really well, and have a terrific sound.
So far, everything is working reeeally well... however, I might get later during the year a UAD-1 card... although I'm keeping a really close eye on Nebula... their CUDA proposal is extremely attractive, and worth exploring.
I'm not sure if this post is of any help to you, but you can at least check out the options I mentioned at the beginning of the post. That could be a start. Good luck!!
1. URS's has done some of those emulations... I believe their channel strip is an uber-catalog of different EQ's and compressors...
2. McDSP also has done some of those emulations in their channel strip and filter bank...
I hope these help you a bit. Honestly, I'm a bit turned off on all the "vintage" hype. As some here might remember, a couple of months back I was doing some "R&D" around compressors, channel strips, and EQ's. After two months of asking, downloading, listening, comparing, changing, crashing, etc., I finally thought... "What the heck... I've never been in front of a Fairchild, much less know how one sounds... why do I pull my hair out over getting a 'Fairchild emulation'???". So, I decided to just try out stuff, and keep whatever sounded good to my ears. And I assembled my own channel strip with tools I already had!
1. Gearbox for the Mic preamp and pre-compressor EQ (I mainly use the Neve emulation, and turn off the LA2A compressor).
2. Daniel's TLs2095-LA or Density for compression. I might use Kjaerhus' Classic Compressor if I need something less agressive. I will try soon Compressive...
3. Voxengo's Overtone GEQ or CM's Electri-Q for post-compressor EQ. They both work really well, and have a terrific sound.
So far, everything is working reeeally well... however, I might get later during the year a UAD-1 card... although I'm keeping a really close eye on Nebula... their CUDA proposal is extremely attractive, and worth exploring.
I'm not sure if this post is of any help to you, but you can at least check out the options I mentioned at the beginning of the post. That could be a start. Good luck!!
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 14739 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
Yes, I know indeed URS, even though I don't own/use those plugins, afaik it is mostly an emulation of the 1176N. I do have Gearbox myself (which is one of the rare plugins, that is fully documented in terms of emulations) - I really like the modern preamp and the Neve pult for just coloring (meaning, default settings, just running it through). Though the Neve is a bit harsh in terms of sound IMO and I didn't try wether or not it can run in multi-mono mode in ProTools.
I also own and use TbT stuff myself, though I haven't tried the TLs2095-LA. Also, despite the fact that ElectriQ can be quite a CPU hog (not as much as GearBox though), I use it in nearly EVERY production, if I'm not just plain using IIEQ as 4-5 Band EQ.
Your post is helpful, no doubt, it's just that I use some of that stuff already, but don't know what they're actually "built after". If somebody maybe has a listed overview written down what's out there, that'd be really great and definitely helpful not only for me.
I also own and use TbT stuff myself, though I haven't tried the TLs2095-LA. Also, despite the fact that ElectriQ can be quite a CPU hog (not as much as GearBox though), I use it in nearly EVERY production, if I'm not just plain using IIEQ as 4-5 Band EQ.
Your post is helpful, no doubt, it's just that I use some of that stuff already, but don't know what they're actually "built after". If somebody maybe has a listed overview written down what's out there, that'd be really great and definitely helpful not only for me.
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- KVRist
- 490 posts since 21 Jun, 2002 from Hamburg
The UAD-1 effects are a class of their own which is why i'm totally sold to it. Cause it's vintage? I don't care. Each and every effect is simply perfect in itself and i love its sound. Since i consider myself being a mixing effects geek i'm trying as much as possible but nothing ever comes close. The only exception so far is Bootsy's stuff which is heads up with UAD-1 quality in terms of "own" sound and quality.
I've been demoing as much of the commercial stuff available as possible and tried most of the free ones - but they just don't come close. And i couldn't care less if they're actually modelled after something or not. The sound and usuability counts for me.
I've been demoing as much of the commercial stuff available as possible and tried most of the free ones - but they just don't come close. And i couldn't care less if they're actually modelled after something or not. The sound and usuability counts for me.
aka rktic. demoscener (Farbrausch, Holon, MFX, Still), sound designer, ux-dude, sth @AudioRealism, human synthesizer—not necessarily in that order.
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- KVRAF
- 4071 posts since 4 Mar, 2008 from Near Pittsburgh
+1 to Ronny Pries, the UAD-1 is in a class of its own and I feel the same way about not giving a rat's ass about the "vintage" moniker. They just sound great.
I end up using mostly UAD and Audio Damage plugs. Opposite ends of the cost spectrum but both have that "special something" that makes me smile when I use them. Lots of character.
I end up using mostly UAD and Audio Damage plugs. Opposite ends of the cost spectrum but both have that "special something" that makes me smile when I use them. Lots of character.
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- KVRer
- 13 posts since 12 Aug, 2004
+2 Having the time to really play around with the UAD-1e (Extreme Pak) and subsequently the remaining plugs (I guess I'm a UA wh@#e!), the above are spot on with the fact that vintage or not, these plugs have some serious kick and when used right, will get the sound you want...
They're only "vintage" and well praised for a reason...
They're only "vintage" and well praised for a reason...
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 14739 posts since 19 Oct, 2003 from Berlin, Germany
So... nobody actually knows what compressor in the native realm is a "built" of "someting"?
Which was my initial question after all (inlcuding T-RackS)
Which was my initial question after all (inlcuding T-RackS)
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- KVRer
- 13 posts since 12 Aug, 2004
Well, the problem of your question is that you're asking for a native-based plugin that is an emulation of "vintage"... The only licensed emulation comes from Universal Audio...since they are the ones who originally built the majority of the plugins they feature or have a license to do so. As far as native, its gonna be close...but its not going to have the extra kick or warmth the DSP card offers (TC, Focusrite, Duende, UAD-1). When I did my research on it, the DSP was the way to go for sound quality; I'm not saying native-based effects don't sound good, the DSP card was what worked for me...
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- KVRAF
- 2812 posts since 30 Oct, 2006 from The City that Started House Music
SSL LMC-1 Compressor VST is identical to the Real One.Compyfox wrote:So... nobody actually knows what compressor in the native realm is a "built" of "someting"?
Which was my initial question after all (inlcuding T-RackS)
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- KVRAF
- 6241 posts since 26 Sep, 2003 from right here, as you can see ...
and sounds like shit, like the original one in the consoles did ... 
which btw is no wonder, the real lmc was made for only compress the talkback return, in order to clearly understand what's spoken from within the recording room, it's a very cheap cirquit actually ... then phil collins' engineer "abused" and therefore modyfied it for the the crappy drum-room squashing on "in the air tonight" ...
which btw is no wonder, the real lmc was made for only compress the talkback return, in order to clearly understand what's spoken from within the recording room, it's a very cheap cirquit actually ... then phil collins' engineer "abused" and therefore modyfied it for the the crappy drum-room squashing on "in the air tonight" ...
regards,
brok landers
BIGTONEsounddesign
gear is as good as the innovation behind it-the man
brok landers
BIGTONEsounddesign
gear is as good as the innovation behind it-the man
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- KVRAF
- 5139 posts since 27 Jun, 2004
It sounds like shit if you use it for stuff it's not even meant for. It's a great processor for making voice sound solid and clear. It's good for talkback obviously, but not just that.
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- KVRAF
- 6241 posts since 26 Sep, 2003 from right here, as you can see ...
you use it on voice??!! hmmm ... it reduces low and high frequencies a lot here ... i never found it usual exept for unnatural effect-compression ... that's how taste differs ...
regards,
brok landers
BIGTONEsounddesign
gear is as good as the innovation behind it-the man
brok landers
BIGTONEsounddesign
gear is as good as the innovation behind it-the man
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- KVRAF
- 5139 posts since 27 Jun, 2004
When you have lots of instrumental stuff going on (especially electronic), it can be optimal for making a voice clear in the mix. Sure the low and high freq reduction is not suitable for everything. It's just a specific kind of sound, not an all-around solution. And note I usually use it mixed with the source sound (some low and high freqs remain).