Which compressor to compress a mix?

  • Thread starter Thread starter regebro
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regebro

regebro

Insane Genious!
I'd like recommendations on which compressor to use to compress the final mix, mostly to make songs a bit louder.
Everything in the budget range of $100 to $1000 would probably be interesting (but to different people).

So, go ahead, with recommendations, opinions, and rants!
 
None of the compressors/limiters/volume maximisers I have on my DAW (Sound Forge v6, Cubase SX) come close to sounding better than the on-board Limiter of my Masterlink.... so I always use it if I want to get the levels up a bit.

I suspect the Waves plugs would be decent from what I've been told, but I've not used them myself.

As for outboard - I guess any of the comps at Mercenary could be used...!
 
Including the RNC at $175?

What would the next step up from an RNC be for maximizing mixes?
 
I suppose the RNC in SuperNice mode, but I've never tried it as a maximising tool...

I tend to avoid a comp on the mix buss anyways - I'll subgroup rhythm beds and compress those for punch, but not the whole mix.
 
The Waves L2 plugin really does sound good. You can easily boost several dB without hearing many artifacts. The L1 is not even in the ballpark though.
 
Oh, and even though they aren't available separately, the Advanced Dynamics comp/limiter and Multiband Compressor in Samplitude 7 are pretty incredible. You could pick up samp for under a grand though. You also get the room simulator which is perhaps the best reverb I've heard.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
None of the compressors/limiters/volume maximisers I have on my DAW (Sound Forge v6, Cubase SX) come close to sounding better than the on-board Limiter of my Masterlink.... so I always use it if I want to get the levels up a bit.

I suspect the Waves plugs would be decent from what I've been told, but I've not used them myself.

As for outboard - I guess any of the comps at Mercenary could be used...!
Click to expand...

Bear, how much limiting are you using with the Masterlink? I've been doing around 5-6db of limiting and it's not too bad. I've been nervous to go past that. I guess I just need to burn some other versions and see how they hold up.
 
Yeah - about the same for me... 4-5db at most.... I like to see the meters "bounce" instead of "peg"! ;)
 
i've been using the waves stuff....the c1 compressor.....followed by a little eq.....then the L1, i think it sounds pretty good
 
OK, so in summary you could say that this is the avaiable selection, more or less?
(I've taken this from the above recommendations + some reviews and from the Mercenary Audio site).

Plugins:
The Waves L2 plugin ($600)
The compressors in Samplitude 7 ($1000)

Hardware:
RNC ($175)
TL Audio Fat-man 1 (200 GBP = $300)
Drawmer DL241 ($720)
Alesis Masterlink ($1000)
Waves L2 Ultramaximizer ($2200)
Manley Variable-mu™ Limiter/Compressor ($3500)
Crane Song STC-8/M ($5000)


Comments? Additions?
 
regebro said:
OK, so in summary you could say that this is the avaiable selection, more or less?
(I've taken this from the above recommendations + some reviews and from the Mercenary Audio site).

Plugins:
The Waves L2 plugin ($600)
The compressors in Samplitude 7 ($1000)

Hardware:
RNC ($175)
TL Audio Fat-man 1 (200 GBP = $300)
Drawmer DL241 ($720)
Alesis Masterlink ($1000)
Waves L2 Ultramaximizer ($2200)
Manley Variable-mu? Limiter/Compressor ($3500)
Crane Song STC-8/M ($5000)


Comments? Additions?
Click to expand...
Not a bad listing, but where is the Distressor? or the Limiting Amplifiers from Summit. I wouldn't have put the masterlink in that list myself. I probably would take out the L2 since its primarily a limiter, useful for mastering, but not really a mixers tool. There is also the LA2A and early dbx 160's. Fairchilds are a little too much I think.

SoMm
 
I'll second the effects built into Samplitude. I'm using Samp 6.xx and aside from being the best tracking software ever, the compressors, limiters, reverbs, and other little tools sound great.

I know it comes with Sonar and everything, or at least I think that's where I got it, but the Timeworks Mastering Compressor is pretty good sounding, too, for a piece of software.
 
I thought the distressor was mainly to get a really heavy compressor effect, and not a mastering thingy? But OK, in with that too. And the other ones. As Blue BEar said above, any compressor sold by Mercenary Audio. Or at least, the stereo ones. :D

The ones I listed in the top range are those who are stated the Mercenary site to be designed especially for mastering. And besides, when you are in the range, you listen and test before you buy, and talk to Fletcher, so you don't need this list. ;)

More fillers in the bottom range of the list would probably be appreciated by us homewreckers. ;)
 
[/QUOTE]
I know it comes with Sonar and everything, or at least I think that's where I got it, but the Timeworks Mastering Compressor is pretty good sounding, too, for a piece of software. [/B][/QUOTE]

i second the timeworks mastering compressor(i think its better then the L2 plug-in, keeps the track sounding more 3 dimensional then the L2 IMO)..and no it doesn't come with sonar thats the timeworks compressor x
 
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