Cool's compressor

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dobro

dobro

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Hi. Has anybody here actually used Cool's dynamics processor on a project and got good results?

If not, which one do you use?

Can your recommend a good plug that doesn't cost a bomb?
 
Hey I've used it a lot on the recording I'm currently working on. I hated it at first but once you get used to it it seems pretty decent. Just the fact that you can see how the wave is being effected is helpful. I've found that setting the meter on the right in the edit mode to show the db helps a lot. I really don't have much else to compare it to but I think it works good.:o

I posted the new version of Polly Ethelline in the MP3 mixing clinic if you haven't been in the neighborhood. Pretty much every track had some dynamics processing of some level or another.
 
Do you use the graphic or the traditional tab in the compressor?

I downloaded the fasoft compressor demo. It's really simple to use. Cheap too ($15). But if the Cool compressor works, I'll save my money.
 
I've been using the traditional tab, but from the looks of that thread down below a few notches I may start fooling with the graphic one to see what happens!:eek:
 
OK Doobie.. I've been sitting all evening with a song I'm working with, doing a version using ONLY Cool Edit's own FX. I also cut down a bit on tube-color on the dbx576 to avoid being tricked buy that. Sat to long with it I guess.. lost all control over levels and such when I should mix it... :P

DISCLAIMER: This is by NO (100x!!!) means scientific conclusions. They're probably VERY biased. It's also a pain to monitor things when I record myself. Everything went through the dbx576 pre w/o EQ and straight into the computer...

CEP's compressor got the job done quite well.
- On Accoustic guitar, I had big problems finding a attack/release setting that sounded good with the ammount of compression I wanted.
- Electric guitar (picking chords) Fine. But not as smooth sounding as Waves RCL.
- Bass not sure.. I had problems getting a good sound to start with, and I think the compressor made it muddy. Had to work a bit with EQ to get it better. It usually gets WAY better with Waves-plugs IMO.
- Drums (Fruity Loops - stereo-wav) Kick and Snare came out really nice.. wish I had all drums on separate channels. I'll make a more thorough comparission with other plugs later..
- Cheesy backing vox.. No prob. Very nice.

I'll probably continue with the Waves-plugs, but I can't say *I* though the CEP-plugs were bad. I'll certainly try the CEP compressor next to others when it comes to drums in the future...

BTW.. the CEP reverb is really nice.

Well... that's my take.... I think... If you want I can post the mp3 in the clinic.
 
I have had some decent results on a variety of sources with the compressor.

If you like the reverb the 3D Echo Chamber is very cool also.
 
Meshuggah - yeah, my impression, based on things I've read, is that although Waves is slightly better, Cool's processors are respectable. And since I'm happy with Cool's EQ and reverb, it doesn't make much sense to me to buy the Waves Native bundle or whatever they call it.

So, okay, the compressor works - good. I've figured out how to use the graphic tab and the traditional tab, but the double attack/release settings in the attack/release tab still confuse me. How do you decide a setting for 'output gain'? And what about the Level Detector settings? What do you do about those?
 
Yeah.. you have the same questions as I have.. I just guestimated the output gain...
 
Damn! I was really hoping I'd find someone who could answer that question! I've been fishing for an answer for months. :D

Well, okay, what about setting everything in the Level Detector to 0 (zero)?
 
Okay, maybe one step at a time will do it.

I checked that link that John Sayers posted, and here's my understanding so far. Imagine I've got a track that averages about -6 dB, with peaks up to -3 dB. If I set the threshhold at -6 with a ratio of 3:1, then it'll squash those peaks down to -5 dB, right? I've knocked 2 dB off the top, in other words. Have I got that right so far?

If so, then my question at this point is: how do I do that in Cool?

I go into the Traditional tab of Cool's compressor, and set the first section to compress at 3:1 above a threshold of -6 dB. I set all the other sections at 'flat'.

Then what?
 
Dobro, if youve been trying to make CEP's compressor work for months and havent had success ---get the RCL. Its not just slightly better. Its a dif planet totally. CEP's compressor is good at low gains and is really transparent on stuff that needs a fast attack. Its good for multicomping. It may turn your acoustic guitar to shite and the expander on vocals sounds like YeEeEeaAaAhhh...hahaha. Its not an all in one comp. It has its uses but waves is a much more usable comp for all around compressing, especially guitars and vocals. . Its more natural, etc (Nothing beats cool edits transparency for soft knee stuff though.)Waves RCL is only $200 and you get waves ren EQ and the renverb. Waves EQ is really good out of the box. CEP's EQ is good if you delete all their presets. :)
Waves RCL is really essential gear IMO.
 
Hmmm... Yeah, you're right about Cool's presets, but I never use those anyway - I'm too busy sweeping for good/bad frequencies and making appropriate adjustments. But I like what Cool can do with EQ, and people report that Cool's reverb is good too. Which means that I'd be buying the Waves stuff basically for the compressor, which isn't worth it. Plus, the release of Cool Edit 2.0 seems IMMINENT, and it's bound to have a workable compressor this time, plus EQ and reverb at least as good as version 1.2. Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud here - I value your comments about Waves being quality and easy to use.

But if I'm gonna lay out two or three hundred dollars on plugins, maybe I should just apply it to the price of Cool 2.0.
 
We'll see what syntrillium cooks up in 2.0 but I doubt their compression would be anything like waves. Im not into throwing money at plugs I dont need either and to this day I use CEP for most things especially the verbs. Just so you can see what we're talking about --download waves' free 2 week trial. If you use the ren comp for more than 3 days and dont see what it does more than CEPs compression then dont buy it. Waves is an analog compressor, CEP is very digital.

BTW, Ive seen the ren collection around for $200. The compressor alone is worth that.

Did syntrillium upgrade the effects?
 
Here's what Syntrillium had to say a couple days ago:

"Re: 2.0 Release...TBA

Re: Upgrade Pricing? Yes, current users will get a discount on the upgrade

Re: Original effects + New Ones? Yes. All of the original effects are still in 2.0. We've actually optimized and re-worked the presets as well (making them more musically-useful, with specific presets for specifics instruments, voice, radio use, etc). And yes, we have some new effects as well."

They don't say that they've actually IMPROVED the effects. What they talk about is the presets plus some new effects.

Plus, if I wait till they release and until reports about it start coming in, it may be May before I'm in a position to decide. Whereas if I just cough up $200-300 right now, I can start NOW with plugs that are both really easy to use plus a known excellent product.

Waiting for it might be false economy in this case. Now I'm leaning towards Waves. LOL Like a tree in the wind.
 
Dobro,

Check out ultrafunk's compressor at ultrafunk.com. While its not waves its several notches up from CEP's compressor as far as general usability on vocals, guitars and drums. It has vintage modeling of urei, neve and some others. For $50 it can be clean or thick sounding. Definitely a good deal for the money.
 
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