recommend a limiter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FALKEN
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FALKEN

FALKEN

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can somebody please recommend an outboard limiter for vocals on mixdown and possibly for stereo mixes? thanks!
 
Well this is gonna seem like an obvious answer but here goes.

UREI 1176.

Also, if on a budget..You could take a look at some of the DBX comp/limiters too.

They are great all around tools.

Aww screw it....if you want the holy grail?

NEVE 33609 Limiter/Comp :eek:
 
ha!

1176 eh? thats like, $1000 for *one* channel right? you need a pair to do a stero mix? how bout under a grand for 2 channels?

the dbx's are "peak" limiters, right? is that different from "program" limiters? I am probably going to be limiting quite a bit..not sure if there is really a difference.....although yeah dbx's sound good and I have considered picking up a couple more channels.
 
FALKEN said:
1176 eh? thats like, $1000 for *one* channel right? you need a pair to do a stero mix? how bout under a grand for 2 channels?

the dbx's are "peak" limiters, right? is that different from "program" limiters? I am probably going to be limiting quite a bit..not sure if there is really a difference.....although yeah dbx's sound good and I have considered picking up a couple more channels.
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Well technicly any compressor set with a ratio of 10:1 or higher IS a limiter.
 
I must say that I don't know any great (or even good) comps/limiters in that price range. At that price I would go with UAD plugs :D :D. Try your luck at ebay too, you'll never know what you might come up with.

Usually you want to go with something quite clear on the mix buss compared to single tracks (especially vocals) where some coloring is often desired. Quite hard job to do to find that versatile compressor at any price range..

I would say save more and look these:

MONO:

- 1176 clones (colored all-around basic compressor with tone, not so great on mixbuss unless you want to have something not so clear)

- LA-2A clones (colored and more "limiting" like, another basic studio workhorse)

- Distressor (very versatile compressor, maby not the first to go with the vox thou; go with 1176 or LA-2A)

- API 525 (nice little comp.)

STEREO (mixbuss):

- Crane Song STC-8 (this rocks!)

- NEVE 33609 Limiter/Comp (veery nice too!)

- API 2500 (basic stereo comp, good for mixbuss)

- GML 8900 (again very good stereo compressor)

- Buzz Audio SOC 1.1 (no experience from this one)

All I can say is do not waste your money with cheapos.. Buy better that lasts than cheapo that you grow out after 1 year.

If you want to have only one compressor I would maby go with the Distressor or Purple Audio MC77 (1176). Distressor is veeery versatile, but as I said, maby not the first to go with the vox (if there are 1176, LA-2A or similar available). On the other hand 1176 is such a classic that sooner or later you just have to have it ;) (also this sounds great with almost anything). Both are mono. If you want to have a good stero/mixbuss compressor, prepare to spend some $$$. They aren't exactly cheap.. Think this as an investment. Good analog hardware usually retains it value very very well (way better than cars :D).

Of course there are some more or less inexpensive alternatives, but I wouldn't bother them, unless you get them really cheap or smthng. Anyway check some Meek, Blue etc..
 
Kainz said:
MONO:

- 1176 clones (colored all-around basic compressor with tone, not so great on mixbuss unless you want to have something not so clear)

- LA-2A clones (colored and more "limiting" like, another basic studio workhorse)

- Distressor (very versatile compressor, maby not the first to go with the vox thou; go with 1176 or LA-2A)

- API 525 (nice little comp.)

STEREO (mixbuss):

- Crane Song STC-8 (this rocks!)

- NEVE 33609 Limiter/Comp (veery nice too!)

- API 2500 (basic stereo comp, good for mixbuss)

- GML 8900 (again very good stereo compressor)

- Buzz Audio SOC 1.1 (no experience from this one)
Click to expand...

Do you have all these in your studio?
Have you actually spent real time with all these units?
 
Not at MY studio. I don't have anything else at home than some 57s and Cubase SX3 and stock/freebie pugins :D. (Mixing the PMC11 with this setup wasn't exactly "optimal" lol; fortunately I have the Dynaudio BM6a monitoring and quite nicely acousted room. Need a bit more $$$ and I'm starting my own studio building project).

But yes, I have spent at least some time with them all. Alot with all those mono comps I mentioned (when doing mixes at the studio). Also the studio has the Crane Song and API 2500, I love the STC-8 (IMO the best masterbuss comp)! API works well too.

From the rest stereocomps (Neve and GML) I don't have that good experience with. I have been playing around with them at the local mastering studio (quite alot infact; the dude owning the place is my good friend), but haven't really had the time to "go deep" with them.
 
I have a serious compressor fetish, and have a bunch of great choices.
I have to say, that for the money, I think the Dbx 160 A or XT could possibly be the most versatile coop ever. Certainly one of the most anyway....

Basically, there are very few compressors for low money that I would bother with on a mix buss. I would rather go after anything at the channel or on a buss other than the 2buss...

There are so many great compressors out there. Try a few, however you can. Make great sounds and have fun exploring. To me that is what this is all about!

The search for YOUR sound.
 
I've got like 4 compressors. I am looking specifically for a limiter.
 
The Dominator is good, but it has kind of a hard sound in my opinion. Have you considered the Waves L2 hardware? Great for mixdown.
 
SonicAlbert said:
The Dominator is good, but it has kind of a hard sound in my opinion. Have you considered the Waves L2 hardware? Great for mixdown.
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no, never even heard of it. I took a look on ebay - it looks like it converts the signal to digital in order to run the software on it? I am trying to maintain an analog audio chain, at least until the very end.
 
Most compressors are compressor/limiters. If you crank the ratio up high enough it becomes a limiter.

I'm assuming you want something to do levelling? Even out vocals, mix, etc?

I'd suggest you take a look at the Aphex Compellor rather than the Dominator. The Compellor is kind of a unique beast, and I personally think it sounds better than the Dominator. I have both, by the way. The Compellor does really nice levelling and is virtually invisible when doing it.

My favorite Aphex processor is the Expressor compressor/limiter. I have four of those, good units. But the Compellor might be more suited to what you are looking for.
 
ya know, while it's not technically a *limiter*, but something i've had some success with on the mix buss is the good ol RNC. just don't hit it too hard. seems to soften this highs a little, as well, which might be a nice side-effect if you've got some harsh high end to deal with.

of course, i don't do a lot of mix buss limiting (or compressing) anyway. very little, as a matter of fact--i try to avoid it if i can. so take that FWIW. :D


cheers,
wade
 
I guess it wouldn't be HR.com if someone didn't throw in the RNC.
 
SonicAlbert said:
Most compressors are compressor/limiters. If you crank the ratio up high enough it becomes a limiter.

I'm assuming you want something to do levelling? Even out vocals, mix, etc?

I'd suggest you take a look at the Aphex Compellor rather than the Dominator. The Compellor is kind of a unique beast, and I personally think it sounds better than the Dominator. I have both, by the way. The Compellor does really nice levelling and is virtually invisible when doing it.

My favorite Aphex processor is the Expressor compressor/limiter. I have four of those, good units. But the Compellor might be more suited to what you are looking for.
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interesting. really, I was looking for something I can use on vocals and perhaps snare drum during mixdown in order to keep the overall dynamic range in check. compression is good but I think a good hard limiter on those 2 instruments (naturally the loudest in the mix) would drastically improve the end product. maybe i'm dreaming.
 
I've been using my Expressors for that on vocals. They are very clean and sound great.

The Compellor will ride levels and keep them even. It's amazing in that you really can't hear it work. Quite an exceptional unit for that levelling thing. The Dominator is my least favorite of the bunch.
 
FALKEN said:
I guess it wouldn't be HR.com if someone didn't throw in the RNC.
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yeah, i hear ya...RNC this, RNC that....it gets a little tiring. but seriously, give it a go sometime. i was VERY skeptical until i tried it. and then i picked my chin up off the ground. :D


cheers,
wade
 
FALKEN said:
compression is good but I think a good hard limiter on those 2 instruments (naturally the loudest in the mix)
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compression (and limiting) is good indeed......but i've found there's no substitute for manually riding the fader during the mixdown--especially with vocals.

i don't know what you're mixing in/on/with......but having the ability to draw some automation would really, really make your life easier.


cheers,
wade
 
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