Which would you rather have: Distressor or 1176 or others?

[monkie]

If you were to have only one hardware Compressor, which one would it be? The Distressor, the 1176 or some other compressor? Why?

I need opinions so I can decide for myself on my next compressor purchase.

Thanks

[SonicAlbert]

More important than our opinions is what you intend to use the compressor for. That should be the determining factor.

[pipelineaudio]

usually those two compressors re used for saying you have one

[monkie]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

More important than our opinions is what you intend to use the compressor for. That should be the determining factor.

It's true, but I want put out a post myself to know how many people use which compressor for what purpose. I've read quite a bit somewhere else about the Distressor that most people think it's more versatile than the 1176, but there are still people that thinks the 1176 has a sweeter taste on certain things. What I would intend to use it for is vocals, guitars and bass. Some say that the 1176 is better for vocals but some say the Distressor is still the preferred choice. With so much readings done, I'm very close to buying a Distressor but before I make my decision with such expensive equipment I want some of your opinions whether it will be the right choice or not. I appreciate every inputs doesn't matter if it's not much.

[MessianicDreams]

My opinion is, get a pair of each to try. At those sorts of prices you should be able to convince a dealer to let you take a pair of each home for the weekend to try out. Personally, for what you've said you want to use them on, I would go for the 1176LN's, but then again that's what I have the most experience with (have a pair of Urei silver faced 1176 in the studio). I think the Distressors are a bit more versatile, but the 1176 is mostly my go-to for vocals, bass and guitars! However, strap the Distressor over a drum buss or on room mics, set it to "stun" and......well you can't beat that really!

[kojdogg]

ime (limited, but i've had experience with both) the distressor is more versatile-- you can do some extreme things with it that you can't do on an 1176, but may not have the same kind of distinct, aggressive, sonic signature that the 1176 will give. 1176's or clones can be very distinct and great for things like rock vocals if used appropriate, but also can quickly turn into distortion boxes if you don't use them correctly (unless that is what you're going for).

if you want something simple that will sound good on vocals, consider an optical limiter a la la2a, la3a, adl, adk, etc. those are generally hard to mess up, because they usually just have one or two knobs (perfect for me ).

also, unless you want a bunch of hardware compressors lying around so you can mix otb, it may be better just to get a kickass microphone and great compressor plugin (e.g. abbey road tg limiter, uad plugs, ssl plugs, urs plugs, etc.).

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by MessianicDreams

My opinion is, get a pair of each to try. At those sorts of prices you should be able to convince a dealer to let you take a pair of each home for the weekend to try out.

Really, that's a good way to go. Otherwise what you're basically getting is a survey of what a hand full of folks might do, and as you've probably already seen in the various forums there's a ton of oppion out there (much of which will likely say if you need '1176 that's what you get, other wise have similar' but more options.

From a similar tilt, I was using 160xt for tracking (typically just on vocal, bass and guitars) and wanted to bump up and into something versitile and found a used TFPro P38 that also imultates four styles of comp very well. On one hand I have no illusions about it really 'nailing' the 1176 or the LA2a that it "does", but at this point it really isn't an issue. (It also does Joe Meek 'Green mode -given his history he more likely got' that one -either way it's turned out to be one of my faves of the four
So for what it's worth (and to be clear I do not have 1176 or LA2a) I feel I'm covering a lot of ground with this multi purpose unit.

add.. Some of the dealers will allow well more than a weekend for a trial.

[jrhager84]

Is the distressor really THAT awesome? A studio that I intern for has like 3 of 'em..... I guess I never really thought of them as really kickass, but I'm just a newb, what the hell do I know!?

[rsolinski]

ONLY 1?! Then an LA2a ..but the 1176 is only a whisper behind...

Ray

[xstatic]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

usually those two compressors re used for saying you have one

So are you saying they aren't worth using then? That people only buy them for their bling factor?

Anyhow, if it were me, I would have a hard time deciding between only one or the other. The distressor is a little easier to use in more different places, but generally I like the way the 1176 sounds better when used on the right source. Both compressors are excellent and retain their value well. Either one seems to be a good investment to me whether you keep it or sell it

[pipelineaudio]

Originally Posted by xstatic

So are you saying they aren't worth using then? That people only buy them for their bling factor?

Those are two different questions.

Theyre great units, and definitely worth using if you are after what they do.

For the second half, yes, by a large majority. In the last five or so years the MixMagServatory marketing machine has really cranked up on these units. I am willing to bet the number of these that have never even had audio run thru them outnumbers those in actual use by ten to one if not more at this point.

Most people dont buy them because they know anything or care anything about their sound or characteristics, they buy them because "its the thing to do". What does it matter WHAT compressor you used if the end goal is hyperblasted distorted dogshit?

[NL5]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

I am willing to bet the number of these that have never even had audio run thru them outnumbers those in actual use by ten to one if not more at this point.

Really???!?!?!?

If that's the case, there are WAY too many people, with WAY too much money......

[suprstar]

Originally Posted by NL5

Really???!?!?!?

If that's the case, there are WAY too many people, with WAY too much money......

I was gonna basically say that! I do not beleive 9 out of 10 distressors have never been used! If that's the case I'm gonna start an ebay store that sells rack spacer face plates that have knobs and LOOK like gear, Hell I'll even sell the rack!

12 U 12U 19" RACK w/fake DISTRESSOR LA2A LA3A 1176 NIB NR L@@K !!
$0.99 $16.99 UPS supr_star [power seller][me] ask this seller a question

[pipelineaudio]

come down here and see how many SSL rooms are 10 bucks an hour or free. Its not about actually getting anything done, its about living thru your kids, till you get bored of it and sell all their equipment on to the next parents

[NL5]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

come down here and see how many SSL rooms are 10 bucks an hour or free. Its not about actually getting anything done, its about living thru your kids, till you get bored of it and sell all their equipment on to the next parents

SSL room for $10 an hour? Post some links. I may have to come down to AZ.......

[tc4b]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

if the end goal is hyperblasted distorted dogshit?

I saw HDD open for Van Halen in '85, kick ass show.

[xstatic]

Yeah, this is a total load. A bunch of SSL rooms in Az for $10 or free? Haha. Talk about an overbloated exaggeration of a poor defense for a weak argument. Sure there are people out there who buy things for the wrong reasons. There are plenty of people doing all sorts of things that don't really seem right. However, to use that as an argument to not buy quality equipment is pretty poor. Its not like we are talking about something that looks and sounds a lot like something that costs considerably less. There is no cheapy DBX or Behringer compressor that even comes close to the many things that both Distressors and 1176's do so well. To imply that 9 out of 10 of them are just bling purchases that sit there without ever being used is absolutely silly and shows the mindset that you are approaching this from.

Maybe it just isn't worth buying because it isn't Reaper?

[pipelineaudio]

Originally Posted by xstatic

Yeah, this is a total load. A bunch of SSL rooms in Az for $10 or free? Haha. Talk about an overbloated exaggeration of a poor defense for a weak argument.

Too bad. You are wrong. Sorry, I approach this from the mindset of a person who assembles and wires these rooms up. There are only a few guys in town who wire up ELCO's andTT patchbays. I'm one of them. Your ignorance of the local market doesnt affect my point.

In case you still aren't getting it, this is the town where the conservatory is

However, to use that as an argument to not buy quality equipment is pretty poor.

Please do not put words in my mouth or strawman me. I didn't say not to buy one

To imply that 9 out of 10 of them are just bling purchases that sit there without ever being used is absolutely silly and shows the mindset that you are approaching this from.

I'm approaching this from the mindset of reality. Perhaps you haven't seen the marketing machine in action

Maybe it just isn't worth buying because it isn't Reaper?

Another strawman and a sad attack. Besides, reaper would be in addition to, not instead of, these compressors

Nice ad hominems though

[jasonbmerrill]

Originally Posted by xstatic

Maybe it just isn't worth buying because it isn't Reaper?

this really discredits your argument... totally irrelevant and

[kojdogg]

incidentally, write in vote for the retro 175

[Daisy]

Originally Posted by xstatic

Maybe it just isn't worth buying because it isn't Reaper?

Low blow. But pretty damn funny.

[pipelineaudio]

Originally Posted by Daisy

Low blow. But pretty damn funny.

Logically its the equivalent of saying "My car can't pull wheelies because I have a hamburger in the blender"

BTW I have 2 1176's one black, one grey and an 1178. I don't have a distressor, but I think it is an excellent piece of gear and far more versatile than the 1176. The point I was making is that to the MixMagServatory crowd, these pieces are like Avalon mic pres are to rappers

[NL5]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

these pieces are like Avalon mic pres are to rappers

Now that is funny!

Where are those $10 an hour SSL rooms???!?!?!??

[kojdogg]

Originally Posted by NL5

Now that is funny!

Where are those $10 an hour SSL rooms???!?!?!??

i bet there are some 19 year olds with basement studios in their parents' houses with cracked copies of waves ssl, or maybe even legit duende minis billing themselves as ssl rooms that you could get into for $10/hr.

[pipelineaudio]

Everywhere. If theyre getting 10 bucks an hour even its amazing.

In case you aren't aware of how this works:

1. Kid graduates from the conservatory (note that the majority of students are EXTREMELY well off)

2. After the "internship" hours required for graduation, it becomes painfully obvious to the parents that there are no actual studios to employ their child

3. Parent converts poolroom or cabin to become a studio "this will be great for little Johnny"

4. Parent faces the agonizing decision whether to buy an SSL AWS or a Digidesign Icon, or to "go vintage" and but a 4000 or 9000 series SSL or Neve VRP (much less common)

5. Parent has me wire up and equip the studio

6. After repeated and clear warnings from everyone involved that there is NO market for even well equipped rooms with amatuer engineers at those amazing rates they show in the Studio School ads, they decide to price themselves into the market somehow. The majority ends up doing a bunch of free projects for publicity's sake

7. Parent finally gives up and decides to send little Johnny to law and medical school.

8. Parent calls me to see who will buy the gear they need to get rid of

9. Rinse, lather, repeat