Hardware compressors

[dirty_bass]

I don`t think parallel compression is exactly an essential part of putting warmth into a mix.
It has specific uses, some engineers will say are essential others would say is totally pointless.

[Louk]

I don`t think parallel compression is exactly an essential part of putting warmth into a mix.
It has specific uses, some engineers will say are essential others would say is totally pointless.

Steve, what are your thoughts on the DB Audioware Dynamics Processor, for sidechain compression? I use it quite a bit and find it gives a really clean and pumping sound.

Louk

[rhythmtech]

i stand corrected on the price argument, i was thinking of the UAD / DSP signal processing method as competiton for hardware as discussed earlier in the thread.

I do find it interesting how strong you feel about vst (software only) compression, since this relies on a decent platform, decent hardware, plenty of spare CPU, plenty of spare RAM, and no other issues that are commonly associated with PC/MAc operation.

Maybe this is taken for granted in the cases discussed but i know i personally would have a problem freeing up spare load for the amount of standard / sidechaining & Parallel compression required to get that lovely analogue warmth into the tracks.

most up to date pc's can handle a shed load of compressors. i know i can lay a sonalksis across 15-20 tracks without barely moving the cpu meter.

[benjames]

What went from an innocent conversation about hardware compressors has turned into a bit of an argument about software compression.

At the end of the day the facts still remain:

Digital compression is excellent
Analogue compression is excellent

Any prefences are surely subjective as any producer will be after their own sound / method. I personally (as a hard techno producer) love hardware compression and the ability to change the feel of a mix while monitoring and I personally value the hands on approach to compression.

Whatever we use it will always be bettered by something, and it looks as if this forum is the place to make sure we know when we are using the incorrect tools for the job, thanks guys for all your excellent advice it really has made me feel like there are people out there that do care.

[benjames]

Errr, the Sonalksis compressor is £150 for a start.

Always check facts before posting, especially if you're going to get all elitist.

Tidy Trax indeed. Even the Tidy Boys have a good grasp of VST pricing.

The tidy boys will know the prices of vst's, and im sure that is what makes their music sound so gooooood, of course the only real way to evaluate someones production work.

I was under the impression that Dirty Bass used the liquid mix (from other posts)!

[dirty_bass]

Steve, what are your thoughts on the DB Audioware Dynamics Processor, for sidechain compression? I use it quite a bit and find it gives a really clean and pumping sound.

Louk

I haven`t used DB Audioware for a long long time.
There old multi band and straight up stereo compressor was nice.
Very transparent but behaved nicely.

No idea about the new stuff, but I`m assuming your talking about the DB-D Dynamics compressor, which is fine as far as I remember for transparent compression.

Not absolutely into it`s attack and release behaviour, but I think for what you are using it for (pumping the mix cleanly?), it`s fine.