What Kind of Mastering Comp Do You Have & Why? (Inspired By Waltz gear)

**jaynm26** · 01-10-2013

Sorry to single you out waltz hope you dont mind I was just going through your impressive gear list and saw quite a few compressors I like and one I dont know alot of (Tube Tech SMC 2B). Thought it would be a good post for you guys to share things about your compressors are any of them custom made or modified in anyway? Anyway uniques ways you use them or position them in you chain?

All other mastering please eng join in (would like to try to keep it analog gear tho, as everyone has a custom made SSL Buss

)

**Massive Master** · 01-10-2013

Modified... All of 'em in one way or another. Some of them are "mod ready" (the STC-8M has a jumper that buffers the input to the sidechain input by 10dB allowing for MUCH finer control over the threshold), some are "semi-known" (Sean at CS made me some sidechain HPF's for the same unit that plug right into the back), HPF's on the Vari-Mu (now I understand that's actually "stock" on the newer mastering edition VM's and it's about f'in time IMO) -- And the custom-made SSL buss comp -

- MCI output transformers, HPF's, modded gain stage (the SSL units boost the output by about 3dB just engaging the unit, which I think was one of the most stupid moves ever).

Unique uses... Meh, sometimes I'll use one for parallel work, mid-side isn't all too unusual - although I tend to use digital a bit more for M/S, as it's more precise and less "colorful" (if I need M/S processing on the dynamics, I'm probably not doing it for "flavor"). Had one of those ART PRO-VLA's that I used to use for parallel work -- Actually thinking of getting another for the same purpose...

**Waltz Mastering** · 01-10-2013

I'd much rather talk about John's gear or see what Tom from PA's been using these days and of coarse anyone else...

For maybe 40% of the projects I do, I only use the Bax Eq and TubeTech, (love the sound of those boxes) ...for the other 60% I add the GML Eq in.. The rest of the gear collects dust.. I haven't used the Vari - Mu in at least a year and was thinking of offing it and getting the Neve MBC and/or Knif Soma. I love the GML 8200 eq which I know Johns had a couple of in the past.. I'm just getting tired of the ergonomics of it since it isn't stepped switching and thought of replacing it with either the 9500, Soma or Barry Porter EQ instead.

All in all, I keep the analog processing chain pretty simple in addition to one itb eq, limiter and sometimes an automated de-esser.

**jaynm26** · 01-11-2013

Originally Posted by Massive Master

Modified... All of 'em in one way or another. Some of them are "mod ready" (the STC-8M has a jumper that buffers the input to the sidechain input by 10dB allowing for MUCH finer control over the threshold), some are "semi-known" (Sean at CS made me some sidechain HPF's for the same unit that plug right into the back), HPF's on the Vari-Mu (now I understand that's actually "stock" on the newer mastering edition VM's and it's about f'in time IMO) -- And the custom-made SSL buss comp -

- MCI output transformers, HPF's, modded gain stage (the SSL units boost the output by about 3dB just engaging the unit, which I think was one of the most stupid moves ever).

Unique uses... Meh, sometimes I'll use one for parallel work, mid-side isn't all too unusual - although I tend to use digital a bit more for M/S, as it's more precise and less "colorful" (if I need M/S processing on the dynamics, I'm probably not doing it for "flavor"). Had one of those ART PRO-VLA's that I used to use for parallel work -- Actually thinking of getting another for the same purpose...

Thanks a lot massive for the post. I love hearing about custom gear, its like one sound that only you guys have its so cool.

**jaynm26** · 01-11-2013

Originally Posted by Waltz Mastering

I'd much rather talk about John's gear or see what Tom from PA's been using these days and of coarse anyone else...

For maybe 40% of the projects I do, I only use the Bax Eq and TubeTech, (love the sound of those boxes) ...for the other 60% I add the GML Eq in.. The rest of the gear collects dust.. I haven't used the Vari - Mu in at least a year and was thinking of offing it and getting the Neve MBC and/or Knif Soma. I love the GML 8200 eq which I know Johns had a couple of in the past.. I'm just getting tired of the ergonomics of it since it isn't stepped switching and thought of replacing it with either the 9500, Soma or Barry Porter EQ instead.

All in all, I keep the analog processing chain pretty simple in addition to one itb eq, limiter and sometimes an automated de-esser.

Excuse me lol, did you say your Vari-Mu is collecting dust? WHY!!!?? Waltz lol. You say your mastering chain is pretty straight forward & simple. So you go mostly GML EQ into the Tube Tech and then limiter? And you get very good results like that with a limited chain?

**Farview** · 01-11-2013

Why wouldn't he get good results from that chain? Its quality stuff and you really shouldn't need more than a high quality eq, compressor and limiter. Anything else would simply be another flavor of the same thing or something used on a rescue mission (which plugins are generally better at due to automation).

**Waltz Mastering** · 01-11-2013

Originally Posted by jaynm26

Excuse me lol, did you say your Vari-Mu is collecting dust? WHY!!!?? Waltz lol. You say your mastering chain is pretty straight forward & simple. So you go mostly GML EQ into the Tube Tech and then limiter? And you get very good results like that with a limited chain?

Yep. Sort of what Jay W is saying. I don't want to have to choose between 3 different comps or 3 different eq's. I rather be a little more restricted in that sense and then the importance comes down to making the right decisions.

**Massive Master** · 01-11-2013

I think my Vari-Mu is going on the block also... It's a supremely amazing unit - that just doesn't get used lately. Would much rather it winds up with someone who would actually work it out regularly than have it sit in the rack...

**jaynm26** · 01-11-2013

Originally Posted by Farview

Why wouldn't he get good results from that chain? Its quality stuff and you really shouldn't need more than a high quality eq, compressor and limiter. Anything else would simply be another flavor of the same thing or something used on a rescue mission (which plugins are generally better at due to automation).

Hey!, Hey!, Hey! I never said waltz didnt get good results from his chains, hell give waltz just 1 freq filter EQ for a master and I think we will come out with gold. I was just asking his details and tech.

**jaynm26** · 01-11-2013

Originally Posted by Massive Master

I think my Vari-Mu is going on the block also... It's a supremely amazing unit - that just doesn't get used lately. Would much rather it winds up with someone who would actually work it out regularly than have it sit in the rack...

Massive so whats your #1 go to compressor right now. And do you have the same approach as Tom with 1 EQ, 1 Comp a simple chain? I see you have the ST8 in your chain