@@Producelikeapro I know. I reserve my judgments... Vance Powell swore by it. I tried it. It just makes everything sit right. Like unruly children in a classroom. Gets every thing to be in place.
The Warm CLiB clone is nowhere close to the Tube Tech….better off using the plug-in than the Warm. In every demo video online the Warm bottoms out on the low Mids. Use the money and buy a Distressor instead.
Surprising to hear the repeated pushing of the Warms. They fall into the category of "looks like what it 's imitating more than it sounds like what it's imitating" and are cheap because the components and assembly are cheap. Has this been reviewed for compliance with the FTC's guidelines under the Consumer Review Fairness Act?
So this whole video is nothing but a shill video for sweetwater? Man, what happened to you, Warren? You're the last one I thought would become this. Same way you always talk about how much you love your Vertigo pre, but in your preamp video about your favorite preamps you never mentioned it because Sweetwater doesn't carry vertigo. Sad times that both Sweetwater, and you, have gone down this path.
I don't own a Vertigo Pre (I had one of Jack Douglas several years ago for extra pres) so I wouldn't have mentioned it. I used to own a Vertigo Compressor a few years ago. I did the video at Sweetwater because I was teaching a MasterClass there.
I've hit the point in my life that I own everything you've labeled as your top favorites in this mini-series, and in many cases I own pairs. At one point in time I remember thinking that a $300 microphone and a cheap interface was all I could ever afford. I couldn't have dreamt of being where I am today with a studio filled with the best gear. I love my job.
@@stevenwhite3749 Hey Steven. Just so you know I wasn't born into money. I started out my career broke as a joke. If a dummy like me can do this then anyone can. Do it big.
I dont think i ever liked the compression i got on my 2 bus until i got a hardware ssl g comp, all the sudden i got why so many of my fav records sounded the way they did
Hi Warren, all this quality equipment is very expensive and even more so if they are stereo, could we pass a stereo signal through a mono equipment, passing l and r separately, process them in the same way and join them again in a stereo file? Would there be problems? Thank you for your teachings. Kisses from Palma de Mallorca
My top 5… 1) Distressor (This is the most versatile compressor ever made so get this first.) 2-5 in no specific order… 2) CL-1b… super smooth… THE #1 vocal compressor. 3) MC77… best 1176 emulation, sounds great, superior build over any other emulation 4) Neve 33609… incredible on the drum buss and great on mix buss if used gently 5) RND Master Buss Processor…. an incredibly flexible compressor. The SFE module is ridiculous, the silk modes, and the limiter just put it in my top 5. Honorable mentions: the Manley Vari-Mu and Fairchild.
Ooh I've been waiting for this one, can we get a video on the new ELI Pump vs Distressor? I am very interested in making this my first 500 series choice Yes to 1176 at the end of a chain
The MC77 is the best 1176 option. It sounds just as good as the originals but the build quality is far superior. On a side note: its so disappointing to see how Sweetwater and Warm Audio are gently twisting the arms of so many YT influencers. Warm Audio cuts corners on parts, build quality, and QC. Their gear is junk and has no resale value.
Couldn't agree more. Two guys I know bought the 1176 and it's barely useable. Imparts some 'grit' that sounds more like unmusical distortion. The build quality leaves much to be desired, as well. Spend the extra money and get the Purple.
I've just read your comment after leaving mine! I have the stereo Xpressor and the super quick to super slow attack and release times on these make them ssoooo useful. It took me a while to get to know it as just a small movement on the attack time can take you from super quick to medium but once you've got it worked out it's a total work horse of a unit. I love mine
@@whisperthiefmusic I also have the Xpressor 500. But that sounds entirely different, the Mpressor is another animal and what it does on drums I cannot get it out of Xpressor
FMR RNC should have been mentioned. You can cop one for about 300 bucks and it sounds and does what a 1000 dollar compressor can do. The Really Nice Compressor. If you only got 400 buy that one. If not save your money till you got about 1200 or more.
It’s a distressor or for me. Swiss Army knife of compression. But… I have admit guys: in the last five years it’s all gone. No hardware left. I have to be honest with myself, for the last couple of years, in a mix I can no longer tell the difference between software and hardware. It still love to be able to justify a big room full of classics though…
I'm mostly a guitarist but love learning about recording gear. All my gear is home studio grade right now but I'm SLOWLY upgrading. I'm running an Alesis 3630 currently, which was a huge step up from a Nano Compressor. Great vid. Really loving the content... 😊😊😊
EL's Arouser, UAD Stuff and some Brainworx mastering compressors. Haven't gone hardware yet, but it will be a set of Distressors. The Arouser works very well from them. Good stuff Warren!
At the studio facility we've worked with a Urei 1178 which has a phenomenal character to it. At home my favourites right now are the UAD distressor, as well as the UAD Manley Vari-mu (its almost always on my mixbus) and I love the UAD Fairchilds, they just thicken up the sound so nicely. Also there's pretty much always the UAD 1176 on a mix or production somewhere as well.. As for multiband I love the Lindell MBC right now, it has such an analog vibe. I do have the SSL Bus Compressor (with the UC1 and UF8) and it's great, but not on every occasion.
This is odd because the engineer who recorded the biggest selling record of all time (thriller) said, the only compression used was a tiny little bit of the 1176 on Michael Jackson's voice, and there no compression anywhere else on the record during the recording process, and to think, I just dropped a bundle on a tube tech compressor, now I'm wondering why? He said they used ribbon and dynamic mics on Michael's voice, no fancy, overpriced condenser mics...
Because the talent was enough and we are also talking about one of the best in the game with Quincy and his ears. To top it all off he used Auratones as his monitors!!!!!! Lol all of this is bonus. It’s not necessary to make a great record. Solid talent and It’s not the gear it’s the ear.
My choices are a bit different than yours. My compressors are: Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Processor, 5043 (2), 543 (2), API 2500, 527 (2), Daking FET3, Manley ELOP+, Elysia Impressor, Warm WA-76, WA W2, Drawmer DL441, and of course, the cheap but cheerful ART Tube Limiting amps.
I got a Fatso from empirical labs few different compressor choices on it. def diggin it, especially the Bus option on there. Have the SSL bus compressor also and with the warmth the Fatso gives me a color I can't get with the SSL
As a low budget home studio guy, I'd love to see your "best bang for the buck" video on pre-amps and compressors. I'm using a Presonus StduioLive 32 SC as my main interface but for vocals I first go through my Behringer Tube Ultragain Pro 11953 stereo Pre-amp into my ART Pro Vla II compressor. These run into channels 1 and 2 on my mixer with the gains properly adjusted. I'd love to get into the high end gear but I simply can't justify it nor afford it. It's just a hobby studio. But a nice little one.
I wholeheartedly agree. More advice on moderately priced gear would be beneficial. I imagine there are more of us watching Warren than top end studio folks (of course, they view) simply because there are more of us out here with more moderate studios.
I own a ton of compressors and have built a ton. The best sounding most all round comp IMO is the Great River PWM 501. It’s a better sounding more flexible distressor. I do enjoy distressors but the 501 wins.
Loving this top-5 series. Thank you Warren. For compressors here are some of my favourites:: SLA level - it's a beast of a mono valve compressor. Epic on vocals. Mine is made by Giles Audio Valley People 610 - super fast , versatile. Reliable. the dBX DDP - which is a digital compressor from dBX - now discontinued. I recommend people check that out... amazing functionality in a one-RU box
Thanks Warren! I needed this. I want hardware, have never had hardware compressors or the like. I've started that direction with the SSL UC-1 for my first hardwarish piece of EQ for mixing besides monitors, mic and interface. Everything else is 'in the box'. So, with starting my hardware build, beginning with the SSL 360 model, using my UC-1 gives me the SSL Native 2 channel strip for both EQ and Compressor, my other favorite is my SSL 2 channel bus compressor. Handling these main plugins with my UC-1 gives me the feel of using a console through my PC. My next piece is the UF-8 for sync with UC-1. All that being said, I know I will want to add hardware compressors so, with that in mind, wanting an all around great compressor for a variety of instruments and vocals, and possibly as a 'end of the chain' bus compressor, which hardware compressor would you recommend for my build? You Rock!
Great video! I started, back in the mid 80s, tracking on my Portastudio with a dbx 163X Over Easy Compressor, which is an amazingly forgiving compressor that really gives good results. I mean, there's just one dial for gain and one slider for amount. How can you go wrong? Great little workhorse.
I use a distressor on my vocal chain. Telefunken TF51 into a 737 into a distressor. was going to stretch my budget super thin and splash on a CL1B but I opted for the distressor. If the warm had been available, i'd have possibly gone for it.
My favourite compressor that I own is the Warm Audio Bus Comp. But I think my favourite I would love to buy is the Weight Tank by Locomotive Audio (a vari-mu compressor) and the TubeTec cl-1b. I would love to have those 2 one day in my life. Now in terms of plugins I love the Acustica Audio Titanium 3. And I love the UVI Opal and I love the Leapwing DynOne 3. On a mixbus I’m gonna reach for the God Particle
Here is my collection 2x UREI LA-4A with EC mods, Alan Smart C1, API T25, JDK R-22 , DBX 166A - DBX 166XL . UA 1776, WARM WA 76, 2x Daking 9179 FET. I also have 2x Joemeek channel strips with his opto compressor's built in. All this routed through an SSL Matrix with it's digital insert patch bay.
Haha, yes, the Empirical Labs Distressor runs on Secrets :) That made me laugh. It's a very useful and cool box of tricks. I've wanted a pair of these for over 20 years. No love for the LA-2A here though? I'm surprised. I'm kitting out my project studio now, I plan to buy a Warm WA-76 and GAP Comp 2A and DBX 160, FMR RNC, before the Distressor. Just because the four cost about the same as one new Distressor. But after that, I'll be saving up. Until then, it's learning it, via the plugin approximations (UAD & Arouser). For sheer vibe, I think a 76 and 2A are more characterful, and for utility compression, there's great plugins both for compression, and saturation (HG-2 Blackbox, the Arturia ones and Soundtoys Decapitator/Radiatior.
Great video!!!!!..... I think that at least one of the Audioscape 76 compressors should have been mentioned... Their 1176 style compressors are absolutely amazing in my opinion!!!!!....
My first experience with a Vari Mu was having a project mastered at Capitol. I was watching the thing carefully and the needles never moved. I asked the engineer if it was on?. He said oh yes, and I mentioned the needles weren't moving. He then explained why he rarely ever wanted to see them moving more than a pinch......He told me, as you stated, if you see them really moving it's too much. In the $1000-2000 range, the WA-1B and Distressor are compelling options. For $1200 you get very VERY close to a classic, and for a few hundred and change more, you get ultimate versatility.......????? 🤔. Think about this, you can have both of them, for less than one CL-1B. I think you're pretty much covered if you can only have two hardware comps 💁♂👍
If you could somehow set those rack comps up to be controlled by a naff looking circa-2000 plugin (kind of like a blind test), I wonder if it would change your opinion of then.
I think the best imo is the dw fearn vt7. Just landed one a month ago and my sweet goodness. Amazing for vocals, no artifacts. So much dimension for mix bus
I was surprised API wasn't in the list to be honest. There were two gorgeous API desks sitting in the shot the whole time, so I guess they still 'got the face on television'. I would have thought the 2500 would be on many people's list.
I love my 2500 - it's on literally every mix. I also use a Manley Vari-Mu and Massive Passive after it when the material calls for it. (incidentally, the console they're sitting at is actually a Rupert Neve Designs 5088 - also a beautiful piece of gear!) @@JulesFox
Black Lion here. I have their Seventeen which is their version of a 1176. I can highly recommend them. I also have their Bluey. Which is CLA's LA2A. It's really nice on vocals. I will use the 17 in conjunction with the Bluey 99% on vocals. I also have two Art Pro VLA Tube Compressor. I use them on many different sources, from drums to guitars/bass to banjos to vocals. Because the VLA is stereo. I also have also placed the VLA on my Sub Mix as an insert it does a great job as glue.
I use the WA76 in conjunction with the 2A-KT. They are budget compressors but I love them both. Especially the wa76. I also have the RNC 1773, a 76-KT and the dbx 266XL comp/gate 2 channel unit. I’m in budget hardware comp heaven.
@@top5dummy It is cheap garbage but I don't think they should stop making gear, if there is a demand and market for it. An affordable choice for the consumer is IMO a good thing. Warm Audio isn't prohibiting boutique gear from being made.
Dear Warren and fellow PLP community, I know the following question is out of the video’s context, but I would appreciate your feedback on this important decision. I’m thinking on switching from my Mackie CFX20 console to a Tascam M-2425. Does any of you know something about this console? Do you recommend it? I’m trying to level up my recordings and mixings as well, that’s the reason why I’m pursuing a new mixer. I thank you in advance for your help
Thanks ever so much for sharing! I owned one for years too! It was amazing for clamping down percussion, however the very slow release time meant the choking that occurred was a bit much for me.
Tube-Tech is not the same without the EQP-1A or pe 1c boost then attenuate sounds amazing. i like the snappy Eventide Omnipressor and having one compressing and another expanding (too much attack, watch out), get the idea from Pultech p-1a. Smooth it out with MC-77, you need to set the mc right, then superbass with the p1a.
I totally aggree. Unfortunately there are not many reviewers out there, that actually tell their honest opinion. It is pretty ridicolous to say stuff like „it is pretty darn close“ when you listen to it and the whole unit alters the signal so much that it sounds as if you ran it to some kind of vintage saturation plugin. The whole thing about the Cl1b is about keeping it clean and NOT adding anything else than compression to the signal
@@abzee733 exactly. I believe the THD in the original thing is of 0.02%, so as clean as it can get. And this WA 1B sounds like a vintage unit, not a compliment. I wouldn’t say this is an issue of 1/3rd of the price, because there are several clean compressors for far less money. I think this is just a bad idea from Warm, I know their 1176 and 2A recreations are solid, so maybe this was a miss.
Yeah the Warm is trash. I have read many of the forums that confirm that. If you have a 500 Series BAE makes a 1176 and if not then go with Purple Audio.
@@PurpleMusicProductions I wouldn’t go as far as calling their manufacturing trash. I know for a fact the 2A and 1176 clones are great (I’ve used them). Not great as in same as the originals, but they do what an 1176 and a 2A should do. I also tried their 73 and a few mics and they were good. A bit scooped in the mids but nothing that a good EQ can’t take care of.
@@marbelis-my8xothey have a lot of quality control issues in their manufacturing processes where knobs either do not function, out of alignment, stop working all together in short periods of time. Their level of craftsmanship is sorely lacking. Likely caused by where they source their manufacturing. It is the timeless classic of you get what you pay for although there are instances where you can over pay as well. They are sort of new Behringer of pro audio. I also do not like the sound of their gear at least for my tastes, but every one is different. On the clone side I would recommend Purple Audio, Stam Audio, Wes Audio, AudioScape, BAE but never Warm Audio.
Great video and great selection. Two of my favourites that weren't featured: 1. Thermionic Culture Phoenix 2. Valley People 610 (which I've had for a long long time).
@@galgogergo Buzz Audio SOC 1.1. Words can be so subjective, here goes : I find it has a presence , a sheen ,authority solidity if that makes sense. Kind of use it on everything at tracking ,to taste, and great for 2 buss. Great metering , which can help one perhaps back off preamp levels at times 😎. Really good for guitar stems . From memory I believe it’s an opto design but fast for an opto. Definitely has a vibe. Great for vocals and bass. Hope that helps.
@@MrTele57 yes, thanks! Could you compare it to other comps? (Especially optos if possible) I've heard people say it reminds them to the Tube-tech, interestingly.
Thanks for the awesome video Warren! My personal favorite brand is Chandler LTD and I know you love them as well. I would love to hear your direct comparison between the TG1/Zener and the Audioscape D Comp. I have heard mixed things about Audioscape and I have yet to see direct comparisons with sound clips.
Compressors are way over priced right now. An 1176 should not cost 3500 bucks in Canada. What a complete rip off. No way in hell that thing costs 3500 to make and ship out. More like 500 bucks.
J. J. Blair is a musical engineer, producer and musician who has worked with such artists as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Rod Stewart and The Who.Blair produced and engineered June Carter Cash's 1999 Grammy Award-winning album "Press On".Blair was an engineer on Johnny Cash's 2005 box set The Legend and all of the first three Great American Songbook albums by Rod Stewart. Blair has also engineered songs for many artists, including Weezer, George Benson, Smokey Robinson, Unwritten Law, Lee Dewyze, Kelly Clarkson, P. Diddy, The Black Eyed Peas, Ryan Adams, Bird York, Stephen Bishop, David Cassidy, Melissa Etheridge and others.
Warren, I know your a busy man but wondering if you have a min if you could throw any light on the SSL pure drive octo pre released around a couple of month or so ago, have you tried one or familiar with the unit ? Any thoughts ? I know the pre’s are from the Origin console Thanks man Take care and have a awesome Xmas
Hey man, I am curious about how Charlie Watts got his snare to "pop" .... to me his snare sounds the best ever in a recording and live... how did he get that sound in a recording? How was a compressor used on his drums?
Great mini series, marvelous content as usual. I'd love to see a follow up series based on the 2nd hand market and hidden gems / secret weapons. For instance, no one really talks about Orban or similar products available at decent prices in EU & USA. 😊
I’m getting to that point where I just want a 33609 to live on my mix bus. I totally in the box right now but I’ve got a 33609 plug-in on my mix bus that lives in my template and I just want the real thing. Audioscape just put out their own 33609 and I’m very sad cause I can’t afford a first run of theirs but I’ll get one eventually
What are some of your favourite compressors, digital or hardware? Share below!
API 2500 plus, is probably the best compressor ever built.
Warren what' s good common compressor settings for lead vocals ?
For which compressor?@@mystikrebel1089
Yowsa!@@badmonkeymusicproductions3569 That's a big statement! Even on the Master Bus?
@@Producelikeapro I know. I reserve my judgments... Vance Powell swore by it. I tried it. It just makes everything sit right. Like unruly children in a classroom. Gets every thing to be in place.
The Warm CLiB clone is nowhere close to the Tube Tech….better off using the plug-in than the Warm. In every demo video online the Warm bottoms out on the low Mids. Use the money and buy a Distressor instead.
1176, Distressor, 160 for mono and for buss 2500 and 33609. If you have these you’re set.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
I only have one compressor, and it is the Distressor. It definitely is worth it.
Marvellous! Thanks ever so much for sharing
Surprising to hear the repeated pushing of the Warms. They fall into the category of "looks like what it 's imitating more than it sounds like what it's imitating" and are cheap because the components and assembly are cheap. Has this been reviewed for compliance with the FTC's guidelines under the Consumer Review Fairness Act?
So this whole video is nothing but a shill video for sweetwater? Man, what happened to you, Warren? You're the last one I thought would become this. Same way you always talk about how much you love your Vertigo pre, but in your preamp video about your favorite preamps you never mentioned it because Sweetwater doesn't carry vertigo.
Sad times that both Sweetwater, and you, have gone down this path.
I don't own a Vertigo Pre (I had one of Jack Douglas several years ago for extra pres) so I wouldn't have mentioned it. I used to own a Vertigo Compressor a few years ago. I did the video at Sweetwater because I was teaching a MasterClass there.
I've hit the point in my life that I own everything you've labeled as your top favorites in this mini-series, and in many cases I own pairs. At one point in time I remember thinking that a $300 microphone and a cheap interface was all I could ever afford. I couldn't have dreamt of being where I am today with a studio filled with the best gear. I love my job.
What would you say your best gear for vocals
I needed to see this comment time to dream big
@@stevenwhite3749 Hey Steven. Just so you know I wasn't born into money. I started out my career broke as a joke. If a dummy like me can do this then anyone can.
Do it big.
Dream big indeed!@@stevenwhite3749
Dream big my friend! Thanks ever so much!
Btw the Distressor is a digitally controlled VCA compressor. Exactly like the best cheap hardware compressor out there, the RNC made by FMR.
Thanks ever so much for sharing! It sounds the best of them all by far!
I’ve had 1 of my distressors go up twice but it was fixed in record time FOR FREE. Most versatile comps I have. Great video.
I dont think i ever liked the compression i got on my 2 bus until i got a hardware ssl g comp, all the sudden i got why so many of my fav records sounded the way they did
FmR RNC, RNLA, Drawmer d241, dbx 1066. All purchased used. All work fine for me.
Hi Warren, all this quality equipment is very expensive and even more so if they are stereo, could we pass a stereo signal through a mono equipment, passing l and r separately, process them in the same way and join them again in a stereo file? Would there be problems? Thank you for your teachings. Kisses from Palma de Mallorca
My top 5…
1) Distressor (This is the most versatile compressor ever made so get this first.)
2-5 in no specific order…
2) CL-1b… super smooth… THE #1 vocal compressor.
3) MC77… best 1176 emulation, sounds great, superior build over any other emulation
4) Neve 33609… incredible on the drum buss and great on mix buss if used gently
5) RND Master Buss Processor…. an incredibly flexible compressor. The SFE module is ridiculous, the silk modes, and the limiter just put it in my top 5.
Honorable mentions: the Manley Vari-Mu and Fairchild.
SSL G clones are awesome as well. I've got the one made by Audioscape.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
My alesis 3630 which cost me 5 pounds about 20 years ago on eBay and still works fine!
I used to have one! Fiddly to use and the low end disappears with aggressive compression
My favourite one is the SSL Bus+ love it for everything!
Thanks ever so much for sharing!
Ooh I've been waiting for this one, can we get a video on the new ELI Pump vs Distressor? I am very interested in making this my first 500 series choice
Yes to 1176 at the end of a chain
Yes please! I'm very interested too in a PUMP vs Distressor, the 500 would be my first choice for rack space reasons
Would love to do that!!
@@PaoloMilaniMarvellous idea
The MC77 is the best 1176 option. It sounds just as good as the originals but the build quality is far superior.
On a side note: its so disappointing to see how Sweetwater and Warm Audio are gently twisting the arms of so many YT influencers. Warm Audio cuts corners on parts, build quality, and QC. Their gear is junk and has no resale value.
Couldn't agree more. Two guys I know bought the 1176 and it's barely useable. Imparts some 'grit' that sounds more like unmusical distortion. The build quality leaves much to be desired, as well.
Spend the extra money and get the Purple.
I am astonished and amazed by the Elysia Mpressor 500 series. I use them often on either the drum bus or parallel drum bus. Great bang for the buck.
So good! I should have featured them! Doh!!
I've just read your comment after leaving mine! I have the stereo Xpressor and the super quick to super slow attack and release times on these make them ssoooo useful. It took me a while to get to know it as just a small movement on the attack time can take you from super quick to medium but once you've got it worked out it's a total work horse of a unit. I love mine
@@whisperthiefmusic I also have the Xpressor 500. But that sounds entirely different, the Mpressor is another animal and what it does on drums I cannot get it out of Xpressor
I have the Elysia Xpressor and Xfilter 500 series units on my Mix bus. They're such high quality, clean, effective pieces of gear..
isn't that X for hardware?
FMR RNC should have been mentioned. You can cop one for about 300 bucks and it sounds and does what a 1000 dollar compressor can do.
The Really Nice Compressor. If you only got 400 buy that one. If not save your money till you got about 1200 or more.
Lol no
It’s a distressor or for me. Swiss Army knife of compression. But… I have admit guys: in the last five years it’s all gone. No hardware left. I have to be honest with myself, for the last couple of years, in a mix I can no longer tell the difference between software and hardware.
It still love to be able to justify a big room full of classics though…
I'm mostly a guitarist but love learning about recording gear.
All my gear is home studio grade right now but I'm SLOWLY upgrading.
I'm running an Alesis 3630 currently, which was a huge step up from a Nano Compressor.
Great vid. Really loving the content...
😊😊😊
EL's Arouser, UAD Stuff and some Brainworx mastering compressors. Haven't gone hardware yet, but it will be a set of Distressors. The Arouser works very well from them. Good stuff Warren!
Amazing video series, so much fun! Thanks Warren
Thanks ever so much! Really glad you enjoyed it
At the studio facility we've worked with a Urei 1178 which has a phenomenal character to it. At home my favourites right now are the UAD distressor, as well as the UAD Manley Vari-mu (its almost always on my mixbus) and I love the UAD Fairchilds, they just thicken up the sound so nicely. Also there's pretty much always the UAD 1176 on a mix or production somewhere as well.. As for multiband I love the Lindell MBC right now, it has such an analog vibe. I do have the SSL Bus Compressor (with the UC1 and UF8) and it's great, but not on every occasion.
Thanks for taking the discussion on Compressors to the entire world ...... I would prefer using Distrossor too in my next big Event mix.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
This is odd because the engineer who recorded the biggest selling record of all time (thriller) said, the only compression used was a tiny little bit of the 1176 on Michael Jackson's voice, and there no compression anywhere else on the record during the recording process, and to think, I just dropped a bundle on a tube tech compressor, now I'm wondering why? He said they used ribbon and dynamic mics on Michael's voice, no fancy, overpriced condenser mics...
Because the talent was enough and we are also talking about one of the best in the game with Quincy and his ears. To top it all off he used Auratones as his monitors!!!!!! Lol all of this is bonus. It’s not necessary to make a great record. Solid talent and It’s not the gear it’s the ear.
Pretty much every other album ever uses lots of compression. The good, the bad and Grammys.
My choices are a bit different than yours. My compressors are: Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Processor, 5043 (2), 543 (2), API 2500, 527 (2), Daking FET3, Manley ELOP+, Elysia Impressor, Warm WA-76, WA W2, Drawmer DL441, and of course, the cheap but cheerful ART Tube Limiting amps.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion!!
Great comparison...... I have a saying .. "You cannot hear the cost in a mix"
Very well said!
Until you slap a Manley Massive Passive and Vari-Mu on said mix. ;)
I got a Fatso from empirical labs few different compressor choices on it. def diggin it, especially the Bus option on there. Have the SSL bus compressor also and with the warmth the Fatso gives me a color I can't get with the SSL
I have many, but the RCA BA-25 is my tone fave. The Neve 543 and 545 for modern clean ones and the Chandler 124’s for virtually everything.
Thanks ever so much for sharing!
As a low budget home studio guy, I'd love to see your "best bang for the buck" video on pre-amps and compressors. I'm using a Presonus StduioLive 32 SC as my main interface but for vocals I first go through my Behringer Tube Ultragain Pro 11953 stereo Pre-amp into my ART Pro Vla II compressor. These run into channels 1 and 2 on my mixer with the gains properly adjusted. I'd love to get into the high end gear but I simply can't justify it nor afford it. It's just a hobby studio. But a nice little one.
I wholeheartedly agree.
More advice on moderately priced gear would be beneficial. I imagine there are more of us watching Warren than top end studio folks (of course, they view) simply because there are more of us out here with more moderate studios.
I own a ton of compressors and have built a ton. The best sounding most all round comp IMO is the Great River PWM 501. It’s a better sounding more flexible distressor. I do enjoy distressors but the 501 wins.
🤫
Loving this top-5 series. Thank you Warren. For compressors here are some of my favourites::
SLA level - it's a beast of a mono valve compressor. Epic on vocals. Mine is made by Giles Audio
Valley People 610 - super fast , versatile. Reliable.
the dBX DDP - which is a digital compressor from dBX - now discontinued. I recommend people check that out... amazing functionality in a one-RU box
Haha my favorite compressor is a cheap Donner pedal. Why because it always comes up is the same state as last left......
Marvellous! Thanks ever so much for sharing
That purple MC77 is AMAZINGGGGGGGG. It has a really hi-fi soundstage.
Thanks ever so much for sharing!
As far as 1176 clones I think stam audio is at the top of the food chain, especially with the extra features
Highland Dynamics BG1- killer compressor. Expensive but worth it.
Thanks Warren! I needed this. I want hardware, have never had hardware compressors or the like. I've started that direction with the SSL UC-1 for my first hardwarish piece of EQ for mixing besides monitors, mic and interface. Everything else is 'in the box'. So, with starting my hardware build, beginning with the SSL 360 model, using my UC-1 gives me the SSL Native 2 channel strip for both EQ and Compressor, my other favorite is my SSL 2 channel bus compressor. Handling these main plugins with my UC-1 gives me the feel of using a console through my PC. My next piece is the UF-8 for sync with UC-1.
All that being said, I know I will want to add hardware compressors so, with that in mind, wanting an all around great compressor for a variety of instruments and vocals, and possibly as a 'end of the chain' bus compressor, which hardware compressor would you recommend for my build? You Rock!
They mention that in the video. A pair of Distressors.
Great video! I started, back in the mid 80s, tracking on my Portastudio with a dbx 163X Over Easy Compressor, which is an amazingly forgiving compressor that really gives good results. I mean, there's just one dial for gain and one slider for amount. How can you go wrong? Great little workhorse.
I use a distressor on my vocal chain. Telefunken TF51 into a 737 into a distressor. was going to stretch my budget super thin and splash on a CL1B but I opted for the distressor. If the warm had been available, i'd have possibly gone for it.
My favourite compressor that I own is the Warm Audio Bus Comp. But I think my favourite I would love to buy is the Weight Tank by Locomotive Audio (a vari-mu compressor) and the TubeTec cl-1b. I would love to have those 2 one day in my life. Now in terms of plugins I love the Acustica Audio Titanium 3. And I love the UVI Opal and I love the Leapwing DynOne 3. On a mixbus I’m gonna reach for the God Particle
Here is my collection 2x UREI LA-4A with EC mods, Alan Smart C1, API T25, JDK R-22 , DBX 166A - DBX 166XL . UA 1776, WARM WA 76, 2x Daking 9179 FET. I also have 2x Joemeek channel strips with his opto compressor's built in. All this routed through an SSL Matrix with it's digital insert patch bay.
Loopyrotter monster and the thermionc phoenix
Haha, yes, the Empirical Labs Distressor runs on Secrets :) That made me laugh. It's a very useful and cool box of tricks. I've wanted a pair of these for over 20 years. No love for the LA-2A here though? I'm surprised. I'm kitting out my project studio now, I plan to buy a Warm WA-76 and GAP Comp 2A and DBX 160, FMR RNC, before the Distressor. Just because the four cost about the same as one new Distressor. But after that, I'll be saving up. Until then, it's learning it, via the plugin approximations (UAD & Arouser). For sheer vibe, I think a 76 and 2A are more characterful, and for utility compression, there's great plugins both for compression, and saturation (HG-2 Blackbox, the Arturia ones and Soundtoys Decapitator/Radiatior.
Great video!!!!!..... I think that at least one of the Audioscape 76 compressors should have been mentioned... Their 1176 style compressors are absolutely amazing in my opinion!!!!!....
This was a sales pitch/commercial for Sweetwater sold gear only.
My first experience with a Vari Mu was having a project mastered at Capitol. I was watching the thing carefully and the needles never moved. I asked the engineer if it was on?. He said oh yes, and I mentioned the needles weren't moving. He then explained why he rarely ever wanted to see them moving more than a pinch......He told me, as you stated, if you see them really moving it's too much.
In the $1000-2000 range, the WA-1B and Distressor are compelling options. For $1200 you get very VERY close to a classic, and for a few hundred and change more, you get ultimate versatility.......????? 🤔. Think about this, you can have both of them, for less than one CL-1B. I think you're pretty much covered if you can only have two hardware comps 💁♂👍
and one more thing...........can't gloss over those superb socks!! 😉👍
Hahah thanks for the sock comment! Always good to have a little eccentricity
Pl. prove everything experimentally. Otherwise it just appears to be an adv..
If you could somehow set those rack comps up to be controlled by a naff looking circa-2000 plugin (kind of like a blind test), I wonder if it would change your opinion of then.
I think the best imo is the dw fearn vt7. Just landed one a month ago and my sweet goodness. Amazing for vocals, no artifacts. So much dimension for mix bus
I like my API 2500. One of the most versatile out there. Literally can sound great on anything.
I was surprised API wasn't in the list to be honest. There were two gorgeous API desks sitting in the shot the whole time, so I guess they still 'got the face on television'. I would have thought the 2500 would be on many people's list.
@@JulesFox You can get it to sound like a few different comps and it’s stereo and sounds great on the 2 buss 🤷
I love my 2500 - it's on literally every mix. I also use a Manley Vari-Mu and Massive Passive after it when the material calls for it.
(incidentally, the console they're sitting at is actually a Rupert Neve Designs 5088 - also a beautiful piece of gear!) @@JulesFox
Indeed! I often use it in dual mono for an even wider soundstage. Perfection!@@JohnGauge790
@@siriusfun nice. I follow mine with the Neve portico 2 MBP. Burl front to back.
Love my looptrotter monster, or a pair of neve portico II channels.
Thanks ever so much
Looptrotter Emperor 500 series! (I'm sure the rack version is great too). That thing is different to anything else around.
totally waiting for this!! lol
Marvellous! Glad to oblige!
No Gates STA-level? 😮 I'm surprised!
I had a Purple from new ad the pots became noisey after a year. Ended up selling it.
Find the right 2 bus compressor after gain staging and mix into it. It works!
Tend to stick to my AMS Neve 33609N
Wonderful, great compressor! Thanks ever so much
My best buy for this year: Wes audio rhea. Absolute beast.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Yes I know! But anyway, thers Never ever any high end gear mentioned to be used with synths.
would never use warm audio gear, i would go to plu-ins before i attempt to use their gear
Chiswick Reach compressor is awesome on bass
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Black Lion here. I have their Seventeen which is their version of a 1176. I can highly recommend them. I also have their Bluey. Which is CLA's LA2A. It's really nice on vocals. I will use the 17 in conjunction with the Bluey 99% on vocals. I also have two Art Pro VLA Tube Compressor. I use them on many different sources, from drums to guitars/bass to banjos to vocals. Because the VLA is stereo. I also have also placed the VLA on my Sub Mix as an insert it does a great job as glue.
Bluey is also an 1176. Designed to match CLA’s early 70’s unit. Seventeen is a cool modern take on the 1176. LA2a’s are tube optical compressors.
I use the WA76 in conjunction with the 2A-KT. They are budget compressors but I love them both. Especially the wa76.
I also have the RNC 1773, a 76-KT and the dbx 266XL comp/gate 2 channel unit.
I’m in budget hardware comp heaven.
Budget hardware comp heaven.. lol that's hilarious. But good for you, I hope you're doing cool stuff with them.
Warm Audio should make a fairchild
True
No …hell no they need to stop makin gear , it’s cheap garbage bro
@@top5dummy It is cheap garbage but I don't think they should stop making gear, if there is a demand and market for it. An affordable choice for the consumer is IMO a good thing. Warm Audio isn't prohibiting boutique gear from being made.
Stam and Heritage Audio make one. Aside from the Unfairchild and Drip670 and others.
Dear Warren and fellow PLP community, I know the following question is out of the video’s context, but I would appreciate your feedback on this important decision. I’m thinking on switching from my Mackie CFX20 console to a Tascam M-2425. Does any of you know something about this console? Do you recommend it? I’m trying to level up my recordings and mixings as well, that’s the reason why I’m pursuing a new mixer. I thank you in advance for your help
Thanks ever so much Cristiano! My honest answer is it's probably a sideways step
API 2500?
I love that as a parallel drum bus.
Wow what about the La2a I have a real one it sounds phenomenal
Thanks ever so much for sharing! I owned one for years too! It was amazing for clamping down percussion, however the very slow release time meant the choking that occurred was a bit much for me.
They are great for driving bass guitars! Dave Jerden used to use them for DI’s on Bass guitar and just cranked the gain
Indeed. I love the RETRO 176 as it's part 1176, part LA2A. Fully controllable and best of both worlds. Perfection!@@Producelikeapro
I like the Tegeler Creme~
when prefer the "Drawmer 1978" instead?
I have an Atomic Squeeze Box Mono, this would give that tube tech CL1B a good run for its money Ryan.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Klanghelm mjuc & mv2 great as always warren 🤘
Absolutely LOVE the MJUC!
Tube-Tech is not the same without the EQP-1A or pe 1c boost then attenuate sounds amazing. i like the snappy Eventide Omnipressor and having one compressing and another expanding (too much attack, watch out), get the idea from Pultech p-1a. Smooth it out with MC-77, you need to set the mc right, then superbass with the p1a.
on a bus, its like a mastered transit thingy. transit plugins don't really work on a mastering track
Do you like the Drawmer 1978?
That warm 1b sounds nothing like the original. It sounds scooped and vintage but not in a great way. Not open and small headroom.
I totally aggree. Unfortunately there are not many reviewers out there, that actually tell their honest opinion. It is pretty ridicolous to say stuff like „it is pretty darn close“ when you listen to it and the whole unit alters the signal so much that it sounds as if you ran it to some kind of vintage saturation plugin. The whole thing about the Cl1b is about keeping it clean and NOT adding anything else than compression to the signal
@@abzee733 exactly. I believe the THD in the original thing is of 0.02%, so as clean as it can get. And this WA 1B sounds like a vintage unit, not a compliment. I wouldn’t say this is an issue of 1/3rd of the price, because there are several clean compressors for far less money. I think this is just a bad idea from Warm, I know their 1176 and 2A recreations are solid, so maybe this was a miss.
Yeah the Warm is trash. I have read many of the forums that confirm that. If you have a 500 Series BAE makes a 1176 and if not then go with Purple Audio.
@@PurpleMusicProductions I wouldn’t go as far as calling their manufacturing trash. I know for a fact the 2A and 1176 clones are great (I’ve used them). Not great as in same as the originals, but they do what an 1176 and a 2A should do. I also tried their 73 and a few mics and they were good. A bit scooped in the mids but nothing that a good EQ can’t take care of.
@@marbelis-my8xothey have a lot of quality control issues in their manufacturing processes where knobs either do not function, out of alignment, stop working all together in short periods of time. Their level of craftsmanship is sorely lacking. Likely caused by where they source their manufacturing. It is the timeless classic of you get what you pay for although there are instances where you can over pay as well. They are sort of new Behringer of pro audio. I also do not like the sound of their gear at least for my tastes, but every one is different. On the clone side I would recommend Purple Audio, Stam Audio, Wes Audio, AudioScape, BAE but never Warm Audio.
Great video and great selection. Two of my favourites that weren't featured:
1. Thermionic Culture Phoenix
2. Valley People 610 (which I've had for a long long time).
Phoenix here also and the original Buzz Audio
Also DAV electronics with the filters.
Agreed - the Valley People 610 is so versatile. Talk about fast ...
@@MrTele57what about the Buzz, how do you find it sonically?
@@galgogergo Buzz Audio SOC 1.1. Words can be so subjective, here goes : I find it has a presence , a sheen ,authority solidity if that makes sense. Kind of use it on everything at tracking ,to taste, and great for 2 buss. Great metering , which can help one perhaps back off preamp levels at times 😎. Really good for guitar stems . From memory I believe it’s an opto design but fast for an opto. Definitely has a vibe. Great for vocals and bass. Hope that helps.
@@MrTele57 yes, thanks! Could you compare it to other comps? (Especially optos if possible) I've heard people say it reminds them to the Tube-tech, interestingly.
Thanks for the awesome video Warren! My personal favorite brand is Chandler LTD and I know you love them as well. I would love to hear your direct comparison between the TG1/Zener and the Audioscape D Comp. I have heard mixed things about Audioscape and I have yet to see direct comparisons with sound clips.
FNR Realy nice compresor.
poor mans compressor, the distressor of course, two el8x bought from hunting online markets..very very cheap ;)
Fun video 🎉🎉🎉🎉 love compressors.
Thanks ever so much!
Warren, I like the compressors but you didn't show us the socks. Those are way more important. 😁
intel x86 best hardware
Compressors are way over priced right now. An 1176 should not cost 3500 bucks in Canada. What a complete rip off. No way in hell that thing costs 3500 to make and ship out. More like 500 bucks.
J. J. Blair is a musical engineer, producer and musician who has worked with such artists as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Rod Stewart and The Who.Blair produced and engineered June Carter Cash's 1999 Grammy Award-winning album "Press On".Blair was an engineer on Johnny Cash's 2005 box set The Legend and all of the first three Great American Songbook albums by Rod Stewart. Blair has also engineered songs for many artists, including Weezer, George Benson, Smokey Robinson, Unwritten Law, Lee Dewyze, Kelly Clarkson, P. Diddy, The Black Eyed Peas, Ryan Adams, Bird York, Stephen Bishop, David Cassidy, Melissa Etheridge and others.
Are you sponsored by Warm?
No chandler zener?
Yes!! Chandler are amazing
Warren, I know your a busy man but wondering if you have a min if you could throw any light on the SSL pure drive octo pre released around a couple of month or so ago, have you tried one or familiar with the unit ? Any thoughts ? I know the pre’s are from the Origin console
Thanks man
Take care and have a awesome Xmas
All the blind test I’ve done the Ua 1176 smoked the rest. And the warm 1176 was not as good as cla76 or uad 1176.
Hey man, I am curious about how Charlie Watts got his snare to "pop" .... to me his snare sounds the best ever in a recording and live... how did he get that sound in a recording? How was a compressor used on his drums?
Can you /have you done a best vst compressors video?
Isnt the 1176 more expensive than the distressor by quit a bit?
Mmmmm……. Spongy
Wes audio really improved the ssl bus comp
Super great stuff really, how about Shadow Hills?
Great mini series, marvelous content as usual. I'd love to see a follow up series based on the 2nd hand market and hidden gems / secret weapons. For instance, no one really talks about Orban or similar products available at decent prices in EU & USA. 😊
.1 or Auto. 4:1
:)
Thanks ever so much
Ryan you need a bigger shirt mate
Who’s Ryan?
I’m getting to that point where I just want a 33609 to live on my mix bus. I totally in the box right now but I’ve got a 33609 plug-in on my mix bus that lives in my template and I just want the real thing. Audioscape just put out their own 33609 and I’m very sad cause I can’t afford a first run of theirs but I’ll get one eventually
The Vintech version is cool as well.
Try the Manley Nu-Mu on the drum bus!