The difference between 'TUBE" compressors and Regular compressors?

the maestro · #1 03-10-2005

I read an article talking about ways to make your production have real "feeling" to it without really mastering, and the article recommended using a 'Tube' compressor instead of a regular compressor whats the difference?

chessrock · #2 03-10-2005

So what you're saying is that a tube compressor isn't regular? Would you call it iregular, then? Beyond regular?

Keep in mind there are more classifications or variants of compressor than just "tube" or "non-tube." There's also opto and non-opto. VCA and VCA-less.

I'm just kiddin' with ya. Tube comps can be good or bad, depending on which one you're talking about. Whether or not it utilizes tubes has very little to do with the quality of the end result, although it can effect or color the sound in certain ways, depending on how the inividual model is designed/used. So basically, what I'm telling you is that either the artical you read was full of hot air, or you didn't understand it correctly, because it really doesn't make any sense as you quoted it.

scrubs · #3 03-10-2005

Tubes will keep you warm at night. Plus, they're very sexy. That's a lethal combination.

Atterion · #4 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrubs

Tubes will keep you warm at night. Plus, they're very sexy. That's a lethal combination.

Sounds like a fetish

scrubs · #5 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atterion

Sounds like a fetish

Sssshhhhhh...

Really, it's not sexual...

We're just really good friends...

The kind of really good friends who sleep together from time to time...

And by sleeping together, I don't mean sleeping, if you know what I mean...

I mean we're doin' it...

A lot...

LRosario · #6 03-10-2005

Simplified explination:

Tube compressors physically process signals through a vaccum tube. "Regular" compressors will do it through chips and electronic circutry.

The plus side to the tube is, it's a tube, you can't beat the warmth of a tube. However, you risk a little more noise than it's electronic counterpart.

GamezBond · #7 03-10-2005

Do you guys put your dick in the tube some time

StudioMxpx · #8 03-10-2005

good tubes are good sex! bad tubes are natsy hooker sex...pick you choice...read above thread about how to choose between good tubes

just jk

mattamatta · #9 03-10-2005

Tubes blow, and Protools is for the elderly.

There, I said it! Ha ha, nobody can stop me!

chessrock · #10 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GamezBond

Do you guys put your dick in the tube some time

Only if it sounds kind of sterile in a digital sorta' way and needs to be warmed up.

GamezBond · #11 03-10-2005

I bet LRosario sticks his tube INSIDE of him

robin watson · #12 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by GamezBond

I bet LRosario sticks his tube INSIDE of him

....to warm things up?

ez_willis · #13 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattamatta

Tubes blow, and Protools is for the elderly.

There, I said it! Ha ha, nobody can stop me!

Actually, you said it twice, which tells me you weren't kidding like I suspected you might have bean in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattamatta

Actually you guys aren't quite correct.

Tube amps are for space heating and throwing off cliffs.

And the elderly. Tube amps and protools are for the elderly.

mattamatta · #14 03-10-2005

Well, recently a friend of mine said that protools is "for the elderly" and I thought it was hillarious, so I've been saying that things are for the elderly for the last couple days.

mattamatta · #15 03-10-2005

But I am always up for tube bashing, as I'm by no means a diehard tube fan, and I've heard just as much crap from tubes as I have from anything else.

I'm not convinced of any inherent superiority in any design or technique. Tubes can be warm, but solid state can be warm... tubes can just as easily by muddy and pooey.

They certainly look cool though, and I like the prospect of swapping tubes for different sounds - much easier than swapping transistors.

robin watson · #16 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by LRosario

Simplified explination:

Tube compressors physically process signals through a vaccum tube. "Regular" compressors will do it through chips and electronic circutry.

The plus side to the tube is, it's a tube, you can't beat the warmth of a tube. However, you risk a little more noise than it's electronic counterpart.

I hope all that was a joke!

ez_willis · #17 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattamatta

I'm not convinced of any inherent superiority in any design or technique. Tubes can be warm, but solid state can be warm... tubes can just as easily by muddy and pooey..

What the hell are you talking about, muddy and pooey are for the elderly!

Just kiddin', I totally agree that there is no inherent superiority in either technology also, but my opinion is for the elderly as well.

Rokket · #18 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ez_willis

What the hell are you talking about, muddy and pooey are for the elderly!

Just kiddin', I totally agree that there is no inherent superiority in either technology also, but my opinion is for the elderly as well.

Here's my opinion for the elderly (as if anyone cares...

)

It's not the equipment, it's the monkey twisting the knobs that makes it sound great or "warm" or muddy. I've heard they stick tubes in pre amps as a sales gimmick. I can't say the same for compressors, but it seems to me that if you have great ears, no matter what you are using, you can make it sound great...

And that and Depends is for the elderly...

ez_willis · #19 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokket

it seems to me that if you have great ears, no matter what you are using, you can make it sound great....

You've never owned a dbx 266xl, have you?

Rokket · #20 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ez_willis

You've never owned a dbx 266xl, have you?

Nope, that's why my opinion is for the elderly!

mattamatta · #21 03-11-2005

I'll be sure to tell my grandparents not to worry what compressors they use next time I talk to them.... hmm, allthough I dunno if they have great ears... Background music in stores bugs the hell out of my grandpa, hehe... pretty funny.

Rokket · #22 03-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattamatta

I'll be sure to tell my grandparents not to worry what compressors they use next time I talk to them.... hmm, allthough I dunno if they have great ears... Background music in stores bugs the hell out of my grandpa, hehe... pretty funny.

Before he died, you couldn't talk to my grandfather if there were any background noises. He would just sit there and give you a blank stare. His hearing got so bad toward the end that it affected his speach. Well, that and the 5th of whiskey he was drinking almost every day...