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

[jaynm26]

Hey Massive see you owned some B&W's in your photo's

[Massive Master]

Compressor -- Yep, the "go-to" is easily the STC-8M. 95% if not more.

B&W's -- Yep, used 802's (from the old 800 series Matrix models up through Nautilus units) until I finally heard Tyler Acoustics' "Decade" line. Sold my 802's and in hindsight I don't even understand how anyone uses them.

Well, that might be a bit of a stretch... But let's just say that I won't go back anytime soon. The funny part is that I didn't expect to like them -- I've never been a fan of extended D'appolito arrays... Dunlavy, Duntech, etc... Never liked 'em. Tyler does something "different" -- What it is exactly, I have no idea and I don't care as long as he keeps doing it. Actually added the smaller set last year (the D4M's) as a "little speaker" reference (yes, a few of my old "little speakers" were B&W's also).

[Waltz Mastering]

B&W's -- Yep, used 802's (from the old 800 series Matrix models up through Nautilus units) until I finally heard Tyler Acoustics' "Decade" line. Sold my 802's and in hindsight I don't even understand how anyone uses them.

I never got along with B&W for mastering either. ..although it seems like the 802's are one of the most popular speakers around for the job. I'd personally go for the 801's if I had to choose an 800 series.

[karumba]

i'm using various compressors depending on what the material needs.

Tube Tech SMC 2BM Multiband Opto Compressor
very nice on hard material having the "digital-edge". it roundens the transients & gives the nive tube-tech shimmer.

Tube Tech CL 2A Dual Opto Compressor
has a bit cleaner sound than the smc, but can compress very inconspicuous.

Crane Song STC-8/M Compressor
nice crane song sound signature that almost finishes some records. it can be quite snappy. i'm always using it with sidechain (lowcut, low boost, etc. depending on the effect i would like to have) feed from my DAW.

HCL VariS Tube Vari-Mu Compressor
this is in my parallel chain. this compressor has a really nice & punchy jumping-in-your-face character. it is perfect for pop, rock, etc. (less for singer/songwriter-music, acoustic guitars).

Foote Control Systems P3S ME
very punchy & nice sound in the lower mids. this is also mostly in my parallel chain, tightening the attacks. i'm using it always with the sidechain feed from my DAW

Neve Portico 5042 Tape FX
if i need a tape effect (maybe 5% of all jobs).

[jaynm26]

Sold my 802's and in hindsight I don't even understand how anyone uses them.

WOW! Bold statement Massive!!! You cant see how anyone uses B&W's? lol crazy I thought everyone picked them as like the #1 Mastering Monitor.

[Massive Master]

They were - are - whatever they are. And I used them for years. And before that, the predecessor (the 800 series Matrix 802S3).

There's a point where you start (how do I put this without sound odd...) "maturing into your gear selection" -- I'm not by any means suggesting that people that use N (or D) 802's are making a bad choice -- Most of the people I know that use them are perfectly capable of making the right choice for them. And I have to admit, that a big chunk of what pushed those purchases was "safety" (for lack of a better term). It's hard to argue when Abbey Road, Skywalker Ranch, half the suites at Sterling, etc., some of the biggest and most successful recording & mastering facilities on the planet use that particular box. And a lot of people I know thought I was nuts for even thinking about something else.

Lucky for me, a good bunch of those people have heard these speakers and understand why I did what I did.

Still, many of us are an opinionated, finicky, picky lot. I know people who use B&W's that hate Duntech, I know people that use Duntech that hate ATC, I know people that use ATC that hate Dunlavy, etc., etc., on and on (granted, I don't yet know anyone with a set of Tylers that doesn't fawn over them - but some day I suppose even that could happen).

It's the same with most other gear for that matter -- I have a preference for the STC-8M as a main compressor (honestly - I could sell the rest and be fine with that choice), some guys prefer a variable-mu type unit, some prefer a SSL-type squeezer. You use what works for you.

[jaynm26]

They were - are - whatever they are. And I used them for years. And before that, the predecessor (the 800 series Matrix 802S3).

There's a point where you start (how do I put this without sound odd...) "maturing into your gear selection" -- I'm not by any means suggesting that people that use N (or D) 802's are making a bad choice -- Most of the people I know that use them are perfectly capable of making the right choice for them. And I have to admit, that a big chunk of what pushed those purchases was "safety" (for lack of a better term). It's hard to argue when Abbey Road, Skywalker Ranch, half the suites at Sterling, etc., some of the biggest and most successful recording & mastering facilities on the planet use that particular box. And a lot of people I know thought I was nuts for even thinking about something else.

Lucky for me, a good bunch of those people have heard these speakers and understand why I did what I did.

I respect that Massive I really do.

[jaynm26]

i'm using various compressors depending on what the material needs.

Tube Tech SMC 2BM Multiband Opto Compressor
very nice on hard material having the "digital-edge". it roundens the transients & gives the nive tube-tech shimmer.

Tube Tech CL 2A Dual Opto Compressor
has a bit cleaner sound than the smc, but can compress very inconspicuous.

Crane Song STC-8/M Compressor
nice crane song sound signature that almost finishes some records. it can be quite snappy. i'm always using it with sidechain (lowcut, low boost, etc. depending on the effect i would like to have) feed from my DAW.

HCL VariS Tube Vari-Mu Compressor
this is in my parallel chain. this compressor has a really nice & punchy jumping-in-your-face character. it is perfect for pop, rock, etc. (less for singer/songwriter-music, acoustic guitars).

Foote Control Systems P3S ME
very punchy & nice sound in the lower mids. this is also mostly in my parallel chain, tightening the attacks. i'm using it always with the sidechain feed from my DAW

Neve Portico 5042 Tape FX
if i need a tape effect (maybe 5% of all jobs).

Karumba I see your selection is wide you must master alot of diff type of music? Anyone you find you use more than others?

[jaynm26]

, many of us are an opinionated, finicky, picky lot. I know people who use B&W's that hate Duntech, I know people that use Duntech that hate ATC, I know people that use ATC that hate Dunlavy, etc., etc., on and on (granted, I don't yet know anyone with a set of Tylers that doesn't fawn over them - but some day I suppose even that could happen).

It's the same with most other gear for that matter -- I have a preference for the STC-8M as a main compressor (honestly - I could sell the rest and be fine with that choice), some guys prefer a variable-mu type unit, some prefer a SSL-type squeezer. You use what works for you.

I really would like to listen to the Tyler's. I see were your coming from at least you did try what was considered the "norm" or the "Best" and then made an executive decision based off of quality and sound and workflow if you stray from B&W/Dunlavy to find something "Better" its has to be on core reasons and logic. Most don't at least try having the exp is good cause you was able to go in a better direction. Like i said I am eager to hear the Tyler's