Mix-down compressor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Booze_Cruise
  • Start date Start date
ok fine. album reference? by the way I looked at the price of those things and just a *Tad* out of budget.
 
Look around at some mastering facilities equipment list, then view their artist page. THAT is your "album reference".
 
tc4b said:
I am a huge RNC fan, but not for mixdown. It makes my bass sound like a tuba. Love it for vox, guitar, and guitar cab, as well as a few other things. But not for mixdown. I use plugins for that.
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Im thinking of getting a couple of RNC's anyway in the mean-time, not for the mixdown but just for taming things in the mix.
What do you mean exactly when you say it makes your bass like a tuba btw? do you mean hollowed out or loud and boomy?
Im think of using a few rncs for gentlely compressing/limiting some of the bass and percussion elements in the mix, would this be a bad idea do you think, is the rnc more suited for vocals/guitars?
 
Ford Van,

you are talking about how good this comp is but you can't tell me if its FET, VCA, Tube, or what?
 
No, I just choose not to tell YOU what it is! :rolleyes:

Most guys can do their own research. I will treat you no differently!
 
Just so everyone knows....Ford Van negged me....probably because he doesn't want to admit he doesn't know much about this compressor he recommended. I wasn't out to prove that. The product literature doesn't really say much other than how good it is so I thought I would ask someone with apparent experience. I never had anything against you Ford Van, but man, I think you proved your fucktardedness.
 
OH, be assured, I meant to sign it! I accidently hit the Enter key when I was starting to type, which sends the rep.
 
Booze_Cruise said:
Hi peeps ;)
Im after a (relatively) cheap compressor soley for the purpose of mastering the whole track.
Im currently looking at the RNC/RNLA or the focusrite penta/mixmaster.
It would be helpful to speak with someone whos had experience for a couple of these units to get some ideas of the percieved benefits between them.
Im edging towards either the RNLA or the RNC atm, however im not sure how suitable these compressors are going to be for mixing down (im not sure if that was ever their intended purpose), and im also not sure between the FMR's which product would be more suitable for the task.
Thanks
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The RNC is a fine comp/limiter. I'm one of the skeptics that bought one and am glad I did. I’ll use it anywhere including stereo mixdown. The RNLA seems unnecessary to me, but people that want to add some color to digital tracks on mixdown might find a use for it.

FMR really proved you can design and build an excellent product at low cost.

I’ve used more comp/limiters over roughly 25 years than I can even remember. The RNC stands out for sure. The low price actually works against it from a marketing perspective. I mean, how can a $200.00 box be a serious piece of equipment? But it is, nonetheless.

For the price you can't lose... you'll find a use for it somewhere even if it doesn't suite your taste for mixdown.

~Tim
:)
 
If you're savvy enough, you can build the SSL Compressor for less than $300.00. It's on my to do list right after I finish the API's.
 
Or if you're not quite as savvy enough, it will cost you nearly $450.
:(
:D :cool:
 
Ford Van said:
A cheapo compressor is not going to offer much luv for mastering. I would avoid them.

A Compellor would be alright. Not exciting at all, but it would control dynamics, although, it won't do much else for the sound.

A SSL buss compressor I think is best used on sub mixes. On a whole mix, it would either be too little or too much. It has a very unique characteristic, and you use it because you WANT that characteristic on something. I would never want it on my whole mix!

The Cranesong STC-8, Massenburg Model 8900, and a Manley Vari-Mu are the three best "mastering" compressors I have ever used. The Emperical Labs Distressor is sort of in that "great" group, although I did not find them terribly exciting like the above units!

The Cranesong offers a very "sweet" sound to everything. It is hard to get this unit to sound "bad".

The Massenburg really does a nice job on audio that needs the tone sort of "rounded" out. What it does to the low end is unlike any other compressor I have heard. I have no idea WHY it makes the low end so nice, but it does!

The Manley is very "classic" sounding mastering compression to me. It is FAR less "surgical" than the Cranesong and Massenburg and offers a level of "excitement" to the sound. It melts things together very well like the Cranesong, but also sort of provides a bit of "action" to the dynamics. It is hard to explain what I mean. It just has character, and it is a character that is desirable for mastering on a LOT of material.

It would be hard for me to pick between those three. I guess if I was going to run a mastering studio, I would get all three! :) Each works well for certain kinds of material!

If I had to just pick one, it owuld be the Cranesong though. It just seems to be the right blend of everything. Next would probably be the Massenburg. It has a degree of control none of the others have.

Good luck.
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Can't I just master with a few plug-ins?

Even the pros don't get mastering right the first time. I have proof.....
How many albums do you see that are "re-mastered"?

Enough said.
 
Remastered projects are usually things that were mastered first with vinyl in mind...the are remastered to optimize for digital...

Ray
 
MCI2424 said:
Can't I just master with a few plug-ins?

Even the pros don't get mastering right the first time. I have proof.....
How many albums do you see that are "re-mastered"?

Enough said.
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Almost every "re-mastered" "album" was re-mastered for CD format. Originally, they were mastered for tape or vinyl. THAT is why they are re-mastered.
 
rsolinski said:
Remastered projects are usually things that were mastered first with vinyl in mind...the are remastered to optimize for digital...

Ray
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Oops, should have read this first before posting mine! Well said! ;)
 
Ford Van said:
Almost every "re-mastered" "album" was re-mastered for CD format. Originally, they were mastered for tape or vinyl. THAT is why they are re-mastered.
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Me thinks that ENTIRE joke went over several heads. Zoom!
 
MCI2424 said:
Me thinks that ENTIRE joke went over several heads. Zoom!
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FWIW, I got ya mang. Next time try keeping the humor on the "Best mic for rap vocals under $100" level.
 
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