aaronmcoleman
The truth is out there!
Ok, this isn't really a question more of a comment, so put away the flame throwers and the copied and pasted "use the search function"...
I have been using a Hairball DIY 1176 for a little while now, and just wanted to make ac comment about the difference between plugins and hardware. The major difference I see is that the hardware can get pushed a lot harder. The plugins (UAD 1176, rocket, all of the fast ones emulating an 1176) start to get really, well, over compressed sounding when they are pushed.
The real thing can knock off 10-15 db and still sound really clear. In fact, I've been using it at super fast attack and release to level out an acoustic guitar without killing the dynamics. The hardware sounds great and can push the peaks down 7 db at 8:1 ratio with no problems, it can even push them down double that and not sound too squished. The plugins I've used are not quite as good at the more compressed settings.
Same holds true with my RNC. I can push it a bit further than ReaComp. I still really like the plugs I use, for their convenience, and they sound great. But the hardware is just better, in my opinion.
I'd be curious to see what others have to say on this topic.
I have been using a Hairball DIY 1176 for a little while now, and just wanted to make ac comment about the difference between plugins and hardware. The major difference I see is that the hardware can get pushed a lot harder. The plugins (UAD 1176, rocket, all of the fast ones emulating an 1176) start to get really, well, over compressed sounding when they are pushed.
The real thing can knock off 10-15 db and still sound really clear. In fact, I've been using it at super fast attack and release to level out an acoustic guitar without killing the dynamics. The hardware sounds great and can push the peaks down 7 db at 8:1 ratio with no problems, it can even push them down double that and not sound too squished. The plugins I've used are not quite as good at the more compressed settings.
Same holds true with my RNC. I can push it a bit further than ReaComp. I still really like the plugs I use, for their convenience, and they sound great. But the hardware is just better, in my opinion.
I'd be curious to see what others have to say on this topic.