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native compressor plug ins (whats the best one ?

just wondering if any guys on here have had experience with several different compressor plug ins and which ones are the better ones?

I own a bunch of different compressors from Waves, Wave Arts, Sonnitus, etc. and my favorite by far is the FabFilter Pro-C. It's clean and loaded with features and a nice interface and visual feedback of the signal processing.

"better" for what?

i use

la2a - vocals, top lines, hats
1176 - drum bus
ableton - squash samples
fairchild - synths & bass

quote:

Originally posted by Zombie0729 "better" for what?

+1

Ableton's sounds really nasty, especially when you crush things.

Pro-C is pretty clean.

http://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/index.php

Works for me and it's FREE.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I own a bunch of different compressors from Waves, Wave Arts, Sonnitus, etc. and my favorite by far is the FabFilter Pro-C. It's clean and loaded with features and a nice interface and visual feedback of the signal processing.

Going to check that one out!

sorry, better for synths, and percussion , cheers for the replies so far too

TubeTech CL1B from Softube

Check out the Trident EQ they've got as well if you're looking for a nice boosting colorful EQ. Has a nice saturation feature on it too that wasn't available on the original hardware models. It introduces a lot of 2nd and 3rd order distortion (musical distortion) to give an "analog" feel.

But yea, OVERALL, The TubeTech is my favorite. But you really gotta understand that "compressors" is a term used to describe a lot of singnal processors that squash things in very different ways.

For instance you have Opto compressors, which are very "slow" compressors when it comes to transients and generally have softer knees. These are sacred for vocals. The LA2A is a great one.

You've got SSL compressors, like the LA3A, which are very transparent, fast, and smooth. Don't get a ton of color from most, but they are great for bass guitars and things you want smooth.

Crunchier sounds you can get from compressors that are overdriven well. The 1176 is the industry standard here, although I prefer others. Many different companies have emulations of the 1176 (originally produced by Neve), with the Waves one being the best IMO.

Then you've got hybrid compressors that try to "do it all" like the FATSO from Empirical Labs. It claims to be nearly as fast as the 1176 when run in certain modes, but its also smooth enough to be used for bus compression in others.

Again, there are a lot of different "compressor" types. I havn't even touched the surface here.

Personally, if you're looking for something for synths and percussion, I'd recommend a VCA style mixer. They make sounds pop and punch well without much effort. UAD's VCA Compressor is the best IMO. But there are many out there, just look around.


But, best overall, if I could only have one, Softube's TubeTech CL1B takes the cake with the UAD FATSO from Empirical Labs/UAD a close second.

Compression: Camelphat free.

Sidechaining: Ableton's.

quote:

Originally posted by PlasticSoul Compression: Camelphat free. Sidechaining: Ableton's.

I know this isn't a compressor but I much prefer the sidechain on the gate when doing velocity sidechaining in Ableton. Use the gentle squeeze preset for EQ based SC'ing.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley TubeTech CL1B from Softube Check out the Trident EQ they've got as well if you're looking for a nice boosting colorful EQ. Has a nice saturation feature on it too that wasn't available on the original hardware models. It introduces a lot of 2nd and 3rd order distortion (musical distortion) to give an "analog" feel. But yea, OVERALL, The TubeTech is my favorite. But you really gotta understand that "compressors" is a term used to describe a lot of singnal processors that squash things in very different ways. For instance you have Opto compressors, which are very "slow" compressors when it comes to transients and generally have softer knees. These are sacred for vocals. The LA2A is a great one. You've got SSL compressors, like the LA3A, which are very transparent, fast, and smooth. Don't get a ton of color from most, but they are great for bass guitars and things you want smooth. Crunchier sounds you can get from compressors that are overdriven well. The 1176 is the industry standard here, although I prefer others. Many different companies have emulations of the 1176 (originally produced by Neve), with the Waves one being the best IMO. Then you've got hybrid compressors that try to "do it all" like the FATSO from Empirical Labs. It claims to be nearly as fast as the 1176 when run in certain modes, but its also smooth enough to be used for bus compression in others. Again, there are a lot of different "compressor" types. I havn't even touched the surface here. Personally, if you're looking for something for synths and percussion, I'd recommend a VCA style mixer. They make sounds pop and punch well without much effort. UAD's VCA Compressor is the best IMO. But there are many out there, just look around. But, best overall, if I could only have one, Softube's TubeTech CL1B takes the cake with the UAD FATSO from Empirical Labs/UAD a close second.

Yeah, this is pretty much it. You need different compressors for different things. Although stephen got a couple of things wrong. The LA3A is not an SSL, its a urei originally, now made by Universal Audio, who also make the LA2A. The 1176 was always also a universal audio AFAIK, although I could be wrong on that one..? I dunno, UA make most of the big ones now except the SSL and API 2500 ones. The famous copressors are really the LA2A, 1176, API 2500 and a couple of SSLs.

Also, all of these compressors are famous for a certain sound which they got because their controls were limited. With a good modern digital compressor with variable knee, continuously variable ratio and variable attack and release, and an EQ on the sidechain, you can get most of the sounds of these compressors to a reasonable degree of accuracy. Of course, you're still missing out on the distortion and other little things, which is why its good to have a small range of emulations. But I don't think its worth having 20 different compressors generally, because most sound quite similar.

I still like using the waves API 2500, because I find its got a lot of mojo generally and doesn't take much effort to sound good on a buss, also the SSL buss compressor emulation is good for some stuff. another alternative SSL emulation is the very cheap and worthwhile "the glue" by crysonic, which is getting amazing reviews everywhere.

For highly versatile compressors I don't think you can beat flux's one, the sonalksis one and the Pro Q. One of these should be your first priority because they're the most versatile IMO. But for character compressors, waves are a good option if you can afford it.

cheers for all the advie guys looks like i gotta do some research lol.

quote:

Originally posted by Beatflux Ableton's sounds really nasty, especially when you crush things.

I often thought that, anyone think the same?

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Although stephen got a couple of things wrong. The LA3A is not an SSL, its a urei originally, now made by Universal Audio, who also make the LA2A.

The original Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler made its debut at the 1969 New York AES show. Marking a departure from the tube design of the LA-2A Leveling Amplifier, the solid-state LA-3A offered a new sound in optical gain reduction, with faster attack and release characteristics that were noticeably different from its predecessor. Immediately embraced as a studio workhorse, the LA-3A is still widely used today. Engineers and producers the world over favor the LA-3A for its unique compression characteristics and sonic signature. Modeled from a unit in UA�s vintage collection, our digital emulation of the LA-3A faithfully captures the hardware�s sound, working magic on vocals, guitars and drums.

* Definitive solid-state optical compressor
* Modeled from a �golden� vintage unit in UA�s vintage collection
* Gain and peak reduction controls plus metering/power switch
* Front panel Limit/Compress switch



ps. The API 2500 takes a bit to master, however its very versatile. Can't believe I didn't mention that one but I've never really used it so it didn't come to mind.

UA = Teletronix = UREI actually... The new universal Audio isn't actually the same company who originally owned UREI, I think soudcraft has the rights to that name, despite the fact that teletronix was originally a UREI company. But != SSL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Audio

eh, people seem to get confused when it comes to "solid state" / "SSL". yes, its a copy name, but it's also an engineering type of compressor. (ie. a valve compressor) Just because something wasn't made by Solid State Logic (the company) doesn't mean it isn't a solid state compressor (engineering design). yes, confusing, but something to keep in the back of your mind.

eh, people seem to get confused when it comes to "solid state" / "SSL". yes, its a company name, but it's also an engineering type of compressor. (ie. a valve compressor) Just because something wasn't made by Solid State Logic (the company) doesn't mean it isn't a solid state compressor (engineering design). yes, confusing, but something to keep in the back of your mind.

lol. Dude you're very confused.

I don't know anyone who refers to a solid state device as being a solid state logic device. Because solid state logic is a company not a type of device. Devices can be solid state definately, but solid state is the opposite to valve. Valves use... well valves, solid state devices use silicone transistors.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips lol. Dude you're very confused. I don't know anyone who refers to a solid state device as being a solid state logic device. Because solid state logic is a company not a type of device. Devices can be solid state definately, but solid state is the opposite to valve. Valves use... well valves, solid state devices use silicone transistors.

?????

i think you are the confused one. i just listed, as you said, another type of compressor (valve) when explaining how solid state is a design. i then explained solid state and SSL are not the same thing, which you agreed with...

????

I quite often like to use volume automation rather than compression, mind you that's probably because the cubase5 compressor is a bit harsh sounding.

whatevers included in the app im using.

The stuff from Sonalksis are really good.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley ????? i think you are the confused one. i just listed, as you said, another type of compressor (valve) when explaining how solid state is a design. i then explained solid state and SSL are not the same thing, which you agreed with... ????

You said (ie a valve compressor) a solid state compressor is not a valve compressor, they're opposites. Also, you were using the terms SSL and solid state interchangably I think? You said "solid state" / "SSL". yes, its a copy name, but it's also an engineering type of compressor" its not a type of compressor, its just a company name, the type of compressor is a solid state compressor, not a solid state LOGIC compressor.

Meh, anyway, sounds like we agree

quote:

Originally posted by music2dance2 I often thought that, anyone think the same?

put it on opto and FF1, it can be a warmer as well

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