Analog Only Compress

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Golden

Golden

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Fellows, I'm curious... Who's got a rack full of comps for mixing? :)
 
or, how do you guys do it. Surely you use compression during the mix... Just curious here... I know the digital heads are using plugins like there's no tomorrow...
 
I've got just one, a stereo TLA Fatman. For vocals and other things that want compression I just record them through it, and I also use it as a bus compressor during mixdown.
 
jpmorris said:
I've got just one, a stereo TLA Fatman. For vocals and other things that want compression I just record them through it, and I also use it as a bus compressor during mixdown.
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I'm using a Pro Vla in a similar matter. Also, slamming the tape here and there...

FALKEN, how are you finding the 1176? Or, is this a question that need not be asked...? Is is like, shwing?
 
2 Demeter VTCL 2a, Summit MPC and 4 crappy Dbx 1066. Not really a rack full.

FALKEN said:
I am using a distressor, reissue 1176, and a pair of chandler LTD-2s
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How would you compare the LTDs to the TG1?
 
I run my vox through a RNC or RNLA. Other than that everything is ITB.
 
I hate slamming the meters, run everything at or below 0db. I have only 1 compressor, the dbx 118 and use it one track at a time but only to tame peaks. I hate too much compression.
 
Print vocals and individual instruments through RNC 1773. Also use RNC for stereo mix. And two old Alesis Micro Limiters, which I think are way underrated… probably more like not on most peoples radar than underrated. I also have an older Symetrix 522 that works great on bass and snare.

But yeah… to sum up, I often compress vocals and instruments individually and almost always run the whole mix through a stereo comp with gentle compression as well.

:)
 
No rack of stuff here. I have an RNC which sees occasional use. I don't compress much. I tend to record drums as a kit with one or two omnis, so it tends to mix itself in the room. Most tracks are recorded using the Studio Traps and Quick Sound Field which tends to provide acoustic compression on the track. Usually, I mix with a big dynamic range and leave the decisions about mix compression to the mastering stage.

Cheers,

Otto
 
Golden said:
Fellows, I'm curious... Who's got a rack full of comps for mixing? :)
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my rack is full of ONE alesis 3630.
it's there for when I need to compress an audio signal. ;)
also I use the unit rather more often for its noise gates, which happens when I need to 'gate-out' some noise to replace it with silence.
:)
/respects
 
ofajen said:
Usually, I mix with a big dynamic range and leave the decisions about mix compression to the mastering stage.
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Those are the same stage for me. My mixes are finished half-track masters. I can do it that way as everything is done in house, from tracking to CD duplication. The mix-as-you-go method has always worked best in my case. By the time I get to the mastering stage its most of the way there.

:)
 
Yeah, I pretty much do the same. RNC for individual tracks, then I use the "super nice" mode on stereo mixes, on subtle settings.

Tim, how do those Alesis Micro Limiters compare to the RNC, on a stereo mix?
Are you using them together?

Beck said:
Print vocals and individual instruments through RNC 1773. Also use RNC for stereo mix. And two old Alesis Micro Limiters, which I think are way underrated… probably more like not on most peoples radar than underrated. I also have an older Symetrix 522 that works great on bass and snare.

But yeah… to sum up, I often compress vocals and instruments individually and almost always run the whole mix through a stereo comp with gentle compression as well.

:)
Click to expand...
 
Golden said:
Fellows, I'm curious... Who's got a rack full of comps for mixing? :)
Click to expand...

I only have a couple of Ashly Sc-50s, 4 RNCs, 1 TC Helicon Multi-band Comp , 2 Neve knockoffs ,1 UA 610 and a Sampson something or other 2 channel for emergency type of stuff.

This is usually enough for outboard mixing. I tend to compress tracks I know will work when I am tracking them.

Edit: I forgot about the Meeks! 2 VC1s.
 
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I have a few... distressors, drawmer 1969, joemeek SC2, rnc's, rnla, dbx163's... I will always go to them before the plugs. I try to keep compression to a minimum and usually try to get the sound I am looking for on the way in. In the mix I will go outboard for light touches here and there. Maybe run the two buss through the drawmer or touch up the vox with the distressors.

mm
 
fred s. said:
Tim, how do those Alesis Micro Limiters compare to the RNC, on a stereo mix?
Are you using them together?
Click to expand...

That's hard to put in general terms. In certain applications the little Micro Limiter sounds as good as anything else (no relation to the 3630 by the way). However the RNC is more versatile and better suited to running the whole mix to half-track, which is often necessary to control the dynamic range before transferring to digital.

The lack of front panel controls is a blessing in some cases when you don’t want to screw around with the details. The Micro is clean and straightforward… works well on drums, acoustic/electric guitar, bass and vocals. Another wonder box from the old Alesis, made in USA. Lots of bang for the buck, especially at ebay prices.

:)
 
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