Mix bus compressor thoughts.

[Jonesy]

Lately I have been looking for a new hardware mix bus compressor. I am so used to the SSL master bus compressor sound, I would like to get some other flavours happening as well. I have tried several plug-ins, some of them sound quite good, but none of them feel in the pocket like a good hardware comp. I have a Prismsound Maselec MLA-2 here that I have been trying out, it is a polar opposite to the SSL VCA dynamics, the Masalec is optical: smooth, transparent and precise, not rock and roll at all.

Usually I mix with no stereo bus compression at all, depending on what type of track I am working on, in the digital realm it is too easy to let mix buildup get out of control if there is a comp. sitting across the stereo bus, so you have to stay on your toes. I would be interested to hear of anyone else's favorites or suggestions, and what styles of mix you do.

[Sam]

For rock - SMART C2
For slower rounder....Neve 2254 (there is a reissue in the works from Neve too!)

Those 2 comps can see me home every time I find....

[Jonesy]

For rock - SMART C2
For slower rounder....Neve 2254 (there is a reissue in the works from Neve too!)

Those 2 comps can see me home every time I find....

How much does the Smart C2 sound like the SSL? Can the Neve 2254 be gotten in a stereo configuration? Maybe the re-issue will have them in pairs...

[Sam]

I think the C2 sounds pretty close to me....maybe a little thicker? But I really have't done side by side shoots....I know Al Smart was heavily involved at SSL for a time though...

The re-issue 2254 will be stereo from the proto's I saw....It was a single rack unit - but I can't remember if it was stereo in one unit or linkable mono's...

[Jonesy]

I think the C2 sounds pretty close to me....maybe a little thicker? But I really have't done side by side shoots....I know Al Smart was heavily involved at SSL for a time though...

The re-issue 2254 will be stereo from the proto's I saw....It was a single rack unit - but I can't remember if it was stereo in one unit or linkable mono's...

Sounds like something worth waiting for, I don't want to think about how much it will cost.... Do you know what topology the Neve is? I assume that it isn't FET?

[Michael Tibes]

The neve is a diode-bridge type, very sweet and yery different from the SSL / Smart. It can anyway be stereo-linked. Another very good bus compressor is the Cranesong STC-8. Not as punchy as the SSL, somewhat in between the 2254 and the SSL.

Michael

[MattiasNYC]

I'd look into the Neve 33609 as well. It's an absolutely awesome compressor that is a dual mono/linked stereo unit. A reissue exists.

Only thing is it doesn't work on everything (duh) and the controls aren't necessarily as flexible as on the SSL.... depending on your needs of course...

But check it out...

[tunetown]

Make sure you ckeck out the API 2500. It's very versatile and has that punchy API sound. http://www.apiaudio.com/2500.html I generally mix into it with low settings and tweak further as the mix progresses. Works great.

Cheers

[Softy]

Just to throw in my 2 cents worth, the two that I actually have here and like are the Summit Audio DCL-200 and the Manley Massive Passive. I figure that I'll most likely use plug-ins whenever those won't fill the bill. I like to paint with color though. Maybe someday I'll make my own hardware ones in my mad scientist electronics lab, if I ever get the time to do things like that.

[Mark Williams]

I've relied on my Manley "Vari-MU" for many years. I prefer to add a couple of dB of leveling while mixing to hear what happens with the low end and not be surprised when I get to the mastering lab. My unit has both the side chain high-pass mod and since it's a later unit, the "T-bar" (dual variable gain tube) mod. Both of those mods make quite a good difference.

Hope this helps,

Mark

[Softy]

I've relied on my Manley "Vari-MU" for many years. I prefer to add a couple of dB of leveling while mixing to hear what happens with the low end and not be surprised when I get to the mastering lab. My unit has both the side chain high-pass mod and since it's a later unit, the "T-bar" (dual variable gain tube) mod. Both of those mods make quite a good difference.

Hope this helps,

Mark

Yeah, I want one of those too.:icon_cool:

[RiffWraith]

+1 for the 33609. Not cheap, but probably the best stereo compressor you will ever get your hands on.

[Jonesy]

+1 for the 33609. Not cheap, but probably the best stereo compressor you will ever get your hands on.

Now I just have to find a way to get my hands on one down here....

[Michael Tibes]

As far as I know the 33609 uses the same way to achieve gain reduction as the 2254, but the rest of it's electronics are more modern (I assume not class A any more, I'd have to check the schematics though to verify that). So it should behave quite like a 2254, probably with a bit less colour.

Michael

[colony nofi]

I'd like to second the manley vari-mu... it sits across the mix buss of the console here permanently...(ish)
:)
Smart C2 on crush on some ambient music is simply amazing on mixbuss.

[Sound Drifter]

I'd like to second the manley vari-mu... it sits across the mix buss of the console here permanently...(ish)
:)
Smart C2 on crush on some ambient music is simply amazing on mixbuss.

To throw another bird into the cage, maybe check out a Pendulum Audio ES8. Greg's work is stellar and he a good gut to bat. Would love to have one of those in here.