Joe Meek SC2 Question

[bmg]

I'm looking at a Joe Meek compressor - SC2 v1.07, and am not sure if it's worth buying.
I'm reading this has a tendency to drift out of alignment and the left/right imaging is not accurate.

Anyone have any experience with this piece of gear?

 

[rob aylestone]

Its worth buying if it is cheap and you want a bit of nostalgia. I suspect with even the free ones in your DAW, you will want to use it very much. Lots of people liked them, and while a few complained most didn't.

 

[bmg]

Thanks; not so sure $700 is cheap.

 

[sweetbeats]

I wouldn’t pay that much for that device.

 

[sweetbeats]

The SC2 is a solid state dynamics processor. I understand it has a “sound” but the functionality is limited, no side-chain access, no way to use as dual-mono…I get it…it’s focused on serving as a 2-buss processor…but for less money, much more versatility, genius design and amazing results and sound I’d be looking for another Orban 424A…complete sleeper…

 

[bmg]

I have several compressors already; just looking for one with a little 'character.'
I read good things about this one, and also bad things, so remain undecided.
(That actually is a low price these days.)

 

[sweetbeats]

Right…I get that…all of that…I’m just saying that, for me personally, and I have a number of different hardware dynamics processors on-hand here myself, I can’t see spending $700 on a box like the SC2 with that narrow a functional focus. And I’m not saying it doesn’t make sense for somebody else, and to be fair I’ve never used one. And I know they have a following. I’m just giving the example of the 424A as something that costs less money, is much more versatile (and not in a “does everything but nothing all that well” kind of way, but rather in a “it sounds amazing and is flexible” kind of way), and is a high quality build and uniquely ingenious design. It’s magical in a 2-buss application because of how it handles dynamic peaks but also what it pulls out of the mix. You have to look at the manual to start understanding how unique it is…the unique proprietary analog processing and program-driven auto-setting of parameters while still providing manual controls, stereo or dual-mono operation, the signal path with almost no electrolytic coupling caps needed…secret black boxes inside that do amazing things. So for solid state I’d be picking up another one of those. I think if one really wants a “character” dynamics processor it seems it would make sense to look at something that is valve-based instead of solid-state…maybe? Especially if one already has a solid-state “character” box?

 

[Papanate]

I'm looking at a Joe Meek compressor - SC2 v1.07, and am not sure if it's worth buying.
I'm reading this has a tendency to drift out of alignment and the left/right imaging is not accurate.

Anyone have any experience with this piece of gear?

I’ve used it - didn’t have any complaints - Joe Meek gear tends to color things (all of it I’d say) - if you like the color then it’s fantastic - one thing you paid a lot for it - much more than I would - I think when I bought it - maybe $200?

 

[sweetbeats]

FYI I think the OP has not purchased it…is considering it and came here to discuss it in hopes of gaining information to assist in making a decision.

 

[bmg]

I already have a VCA-type and a copy of an 1178.
Both are fine, but not really what I'm searching for.

Chandler stuff looks good but $$$.

 

[rob aylestone]

If one came up here, £100 tops, because the 'specialness' is probably an illusion - just a period thing - like those Alesis processors with the big bottom knob - they were really popular for a short time, then sort of music moved on?

 

[GainBrain]

The SC2 is a fantastic compressor. Don't believe any nonsense that you read that says otherwise. Its one of Joe Chiccarelli's favourites on drum bus. U can use it either mono left in and left out...or stereo. It's a beautiful sounding optical unit that can be aggressive as well, which is rare for opticals. They sound amazing on drum bus....stereo mix or well anything. I have a C2 which is identical to the SC2 (confirmed by Ted Fletcher last time I talked to him)....and you would have to pry it from my dead hands. I would love to pick up an SC2 in the future.

 

[sweetbeats]

That’s super-helpful first-hand feedback for the OP. Thanks for chiming in.

 

[bmg]

Feeling dizzy.

 

[GainBrain]

Feeling dizzy

Joe chiccarelli is talking about compression, for better understanding i will write the passage here:
" what i will do a lot is buss my drums to another stereo compressor, usually a Joe Meek SC2, and blend that in just under the uncompressed signal. [.....] "

Believe me, Joe knows what he's talking about and I can attest to it because I own the C2 which is a smaller, but exact version of the SC2. It has a beautiful gooshy sound and punch on drums when you push it, but it also sounds really good on other things when used properly. He's mentioning parallel compression, but I like mine directly on drum bus as well. It also sounds really cool on acoustic guitar.

 

[GainBrain]

Here it is....skip to 3:00 and you'll hear that beautiful, smooth, gooshy sound on drums. He's pushing into it fairly hard on high compression/fastest release, to get it to sound like that. He kinda skips around with the settings, but it more or less shows a simple example. When I set mine similar with a med attack time, it sounds fantastic.

 

[RFR]

Here it is....skip to 3:00 and you'll hear that beautiful, smooth, gooshy sound on drums. He's pushing into it fairly hard on high compression/fastest release, to get it to sound like that. He kinda skips around with the settings, but it more or less shows a simple example. When I set mine similar with a med attack time, it sounds fantastic.

Is that a stereo or single channel?

I’ve never used or owned one but a buddy loved his.

 

[GainBrain]

Is that a stereo or single channel?

I’ve never used or owned one but a buddy loved his.

Both the SC2 and C2 are stereo, but you can run a mono signal as well...left in, left out. I'm so happy I bought mine cause it sounds awesome. It has a beautiful harmonic saturation sort of thing(you get glimpses of it in the video as he's fiddling around with it) and can get quite aggressive, if you want that. Sounds great on acoustic guitar, bass, etc. It also sounds good on stereo mix imo.

 

[rob aylestone]

I hear compression. I do not hear anything remotely special or unproduceable on many compressors I have owned. The one i think i liked best was an old symetrix because with a few controls it could usually be twiddle, adjust, done. Nowadays with simulations in the box, I do not regret selling off all my rack gear, good and bad. Beautiful, smooth and gooshy are words that i don’t get at all. I think ive had beautiful a few times when a mic really matched an instrument. Smooth maybe on a guitar sound. Compression is just well, compression. Some compressors do the job poorly, I totally agree, but usually its just that a certain compressors cannot handle the signal going through it in a musical way. They might do drums well, or not, but finding the right sound is the key. The guy in the video might have found a great sound, but he also found some awful ones.

 

[GainBrain]

I hear compression. I do not hear anything remotely special or unproduceable on many compressors I have owned. The one i think i liked best was an old symetrix because with a few controls it could usually be twiddle, adjust, done. Nowadays with simulations in the box, I do not regret selling off all my rack gear, good and bad. Beautiful, smooth and gooshy are words that i don’t get at all. I think ive had beautiful a few times when a mic really matched an instrument. Smooth maybe on a guitar sound. Compression is just well, compression. Some compressors do the job poorly, I totally agree, but usually its just that a certain compressors cannot handle the signal going through it in a musical way. They might do drums well, or not, but finding the right sound is the key. The guy in the video might have found a great sound, but he also found some awful ones.

Rob, there was no need for you to reply. Me and Joe and Ted...and many others really like the unit. I have many other compressors and 'none of them' react the same way or sound like the SC2/C2. I have no other compressor that sounds like it, it's a unique sound. There's also a reason SC2's sell for $1800US....not $100US. Besides, moderators should not be taking part in forums. Their job is to moderate, not give advice, argue with posters, etc.

We're not talking classical, jazz or whatever. We're talking pop/rock drums. Jimi hendrix. Classic rock acoustic guitars, etc.