Pls recommend affordable software compressor

[ZOWIE!]

Are there any 2-ch. software compressors that are not real expensive and don't unduly distort or color the sound? Thanks

 

[ryanlikestorock]

What's "expensive"? I've found T-Racks to be a pretty good software compressor, but I'm sure people will argue with me. For the price, it's a great deal in my opinion.

 

[ZOWIE!]

That's just what I was looking for --- if it sounds good.

 

[gordone]

I've tried the BlueLine compressor (free or almost free shareware) and I found it ruined any signal I put through it. I've had much better luck with Waves C1 for uncolored compression (RenCompr for colored compression). You should be able to get Waves Native Power Pack for ~$300 which also gets you the L1 limiter and TrueVerb. I recommend you download the BlueLine and compare it with the Waves Demo (14-days w/o any restrictions). See if you can hear the difference. I'm sure they're alot more free compressors, but I don't have anymore experience there. Good luck!

 

[spankenstein]

I've been using the ones from http://www.digitalfishphones.com/ BLOCKFISH and endorphin mostly. I also have the FA-soft compressor that I use occasionally.

 

[kylen]

Might as well go thru the [good] free stuff first:

Classic Compressor (VST)
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-compressor.php

Just in case you want a limiter from time to time...
Classic Master Limiter (VST)
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-master-limiter.php

If you try those guys out along with the digitalfishphones stuff you might have a better idea of what you're looking for. The Classic stuff is mostly transparent. IMO T-Racks is somewhat colored (by its saturation algorithms) plus it costs a few bucks.

Are you mostly looking for tracking, mixing, pre-mastering, finalizing, whatcha doin ?

kylen

 

[crosstudio]

if you use sonar and step up to version 3, you'd get the ultrafunk compressor with it. it's got a built in look-ahead peak limiter.

i've got the ultrafunk v2 suite and it is very usable.

 

[ZOWIE!]

Thanks. I'd like to give those a shot. What's the cheapest way to a VST host program?

It's for premastering/finalizing of recordings that were done direct to 2-track with stereo pairs. Classical and accoustic music that (at least arguably) sounds best with minimalist recording techniques, but seems to need some dynamics control in order to sound good when played back on lower priced stereos, in cars, etc.

I presently have a very flexible software compressor/limiter that's part of an advanced audio restoration and editing program, so I'm familiar with their use, but it degrades the sound too much for my liking on contemporary recordings. I'm debating buying Wavelab, but want to see if something less costly can do the trick first.

Might as well go thru the [good] free stuff first:

Classic Compressor (VST)
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-compressor.php

Just in case you want a limiter from time to time...
Classic Master Limiter (VST)
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-master-limiter.php

If you try those guys out along wngith the digitalfishphones stuff you might have a better idea of what you're looking for. The Classic stuff is mostly transparent. IMO T-Racks is somewhat colored (by its saturation algorithms) plus it costs a few bucks.

Are you mostly looking for tracking, mixing, pre-mastering, finalizing, whatcha doin ?

kylen

 

[Teacher]

PSP Vintage Warmer

www.pspaudioware.com

its not a compressor i would use on every track though has a lot of character...

 

[kylen]

Thanks. I'd like to give those a shot. What's the cheapest way to a VST host program?

Zowie - I use Cakewalk VST Adapter mostly ($50 ?) and the latest DirectiXer ($39) as VST wrappers for Cool Edit Pro and Sonar3. I think there might be a free demo or lite version of DirectiXer:
http://www.tonewise.com/DirectiXer/

You mentioned you are already using a compressor - which app and compressor is it - just out of curiousity ?

I would think you would want a real transparent compressor for what you're doing - some compressors have noticeable saturation (T-Racks) that can't be turned off. Then others have gain compensation or 'upward' compression that is automatic that you may not want either for your particular job.

I have all of the compressors mentioned here and like them all well enough for different jobs.

kylen

 

[ZOWIE!]

Having gotten into PC recording/editing by way of audio restoration, I am using Diamondcut , an exceptional program for what it's designed for. www.diamondcut.com


T-Racks doesn't seem like a good idea now that I've read up on it.

 

[kylen]

Hi Zowie -
I see what you've got now:
http://www.diamondcut.com/Catalog/DC5HiResScreenShot.htm

It looks pretty interesting, 4 band dynamics processor - I don't know how the gain knob works on that one maybe it's trying to do makeup or something bad like that.

The spectrum looks cool, I don't have one that does THD ! I wonder how it judges that...

Anyway, I also use MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 to assemble tracks and premaster and finalize (not to clean). It will import 24bit wave files too. In that thing is a single band compressor and a multi-band limiter (3 bands) that you might want to try. The package cost about $39 or so (the e-version doesn't have the wizards):
http://europe.magix.com/index.php?id=411

I actually end up using this one more often than CD Architect to assemble and make the music 'fit' together - I work at the DIY homerecording level but I've got ears and taste too - ya know ?

You might want to look at that if the free stuff doesn't get you what you need.

kylen