This ssl bus compressor clone has been around for a long time but i find it still holds up nicely. Many claim vca compressors are the most universal compressors, fit for any and all purposes an engineer might need in. Saves space in the 500 series and gets you a taste of what the big boy can do without having to sell your car. To accomplish this, i chose the vca compressor section. Vintage kings guide to vca compressors vintage king blog. Blackface sc5 80s vca compressor black rooster audio. Dangerous master analog mastering console with ms processing.
This allows for full control of attack and release parameters and smooth response to the compression itself. Hornet vca offer a toolkit for controlling the track level, it can work as a simple voltage controlled amplifier using a control signal in its sidechain input. Waves ssl gmaster buss compressor best bus comrpessor plugins. Virtually every compressor technically uses a vca, whether it is based on fets, variablemu tubes, or optical elements. Finally, the vc 160 is a selfstyled bold and dirty compressor thats based on the vca dbx 160, and is best used for adding extra punch to kicks and snares. If youve shopped for a compressor, doubtless youve seen compressors of various types including optocompressor, vca voltage controlled amplifier, fet fieldeffect transistor overeasy the ratio increases as the signal gets hotter, and variable mu, which uses the natural compression characteristics of tubes. A stereo optical compressor followed by a discrete stereo vca compressor so that you can truly tackle any task from recording any source to making your mix buss snap with this single machine. One of the 2500s notable qualities is its use of apis patented thrust circuit for a chesthitting, punchy bottom end. Vca compressor utilize a voltage controlled amplifier in their compressor circuit. The blackface sc5 adds an external sidechain input that can be engaged by depressing the ext sc button. The 1176s enormous popularity has given rise to legions of impersonators, including hardware units such as universal audios re. The portico ii mbp master buss processor continues this tradition of quality in this multifeature vca compressor. Although mastering engineers use limiters to make mixes louder, solely relying on a limiter to do all of the legwork will produce unwanted effects such as pumping and distortion.
A simplified and more accessible version of the mastering compressor s vca section. C165a vca compressor with saturating limiter punch, sustain, drive. When it was released, the original dbx 165a was a compressor unlike any other. Shadow hills industries highly coveted and equally highly priced shado hills mastering compressor is the latest addition to the long list of classic studio hardware offered in software.
It gives you a painstaking emulation of the sound and features the hardware is known and loved for. Compression can do many things like add punchiness, increase detail, and make things sound fuller, but in mastering a compressor is primarily used to increase loudness. Add them to your toolkit today and compress your way to success. The best vocal compressors for studioquality audio ledgernote. Audio damages rough rider is a modern compressor with a vintage flavour. Fet compressor designs are less commonly used over the master bus, but. The api 2500 stereo bus compressor allows adjustment of sonic qualities to alter the punch and tone of the stereo mix. The waves ssl gmaster bus compressor is a classic plugin, modeled after a classic compressor. So here are 7 free vst compressors plugins for you. Masteringgrade compressorlimiter with optical and discrete. The fullblown set of parameters allows you to dial in just the right setting for your application. The tegeler audio magnetismus 2 is a stereo vca compressor ideal for processing transient, rich signals like drums and acoustic guitars by combining vca compression with transient shaping for fat, tape recording style sounds.
The best bus compressor plugins in 2020 resoundsound. The best vocal compressor for voice, bass, drums, and any other audio signal is the topmost studioquality one you can afford. Likewise, almost all compressor plugins take direct inspiration from the sound and features of hardware from the 60s and 70s. Four different types of analogue compressor are widely used for mixbus compression. Also known as the mercedes of compressors, the vsc2 quad discrete compressor sports four vcas designed to capture the character of the best vca based compressors of the 70s and 80s. This versatile compressor provides a smooth and rich tone. Click each link below and look around each website for the download link or button. Hiend analog mastering compressors are usually very expensive. Almost a must for smooth and rich vocals, these effects can ensure driving dynamics with bass guitar, kick and snare drums, and other instruments. The tegeler audio magnetismus 2 vca compressor was developed for the processing of drums and other transient rich signals such as acoustic guitars. Starting from there you can add functionality like an envelope follower on the control signal, with attack and release ranging from 1ms to. This makes it applicable to almost anything, from mastering tasks to. Vca fast, peak based compression that offers you snap and punch. Rough rider is the best for adding pump to rhythmic tracks.
The 19inch, rackmountable unit boasts a dualchannel design that can be configured for stereo compression. Tegeler audio magnetismus 2 vca compressor vintage king. However, in the parlance of audio, the term vca compressor usually refers to a compressor using an integratedcircuit vca for gain control. For your convenience, dual hoyt meters provide signal status at a glance, and stepped attenuators make it easy to recall specific session settings. Many claim vca compressors are the most universal compressors, fit for any and all purposes an engineer might need in her or his quest for the perfect sound. A simplified and more accessible version of the mastering compressors vca section. More compression can be achieved by increasing the input gain. Which compressor plugin should i choose for my mix. This classic based sound is combined with a modern mastering grade signal path equipped with innovative features. I typically use this to create just a small amount of. These names are for different circuit designs, for the part that actually follows and reacts to your signal level, and the way in which it. That being said, fetbased compresors arent always unclean.
Learn about the best compressors for general use, multiband processing, vocals, drums, and your master buss. Its features have been extended including sidechain filters, a samplealigned parallel mixing control and a limiter. Vca compressor designs are perhaps the most widely used in mixbus applications, with popular choices including the neve 33609, ssl xlogic gseries and api 2500. In fact, the quickest way to make your master sound like a demo is to overcompress it.
Some vca compressors, like the api 2500 and the master buss. Compressors are often described with category names like vca, optical, fet, feedforward, ota, and so forth. As with equalization, the less compression you apply during mastering, the better the result. Rather than the more traditional vacuum tube, it used a solidstate vca to create its compression effect, and cuttingedge rms dynamics detection. What are the differences between various types of compressor. C165a has been developed by measuring and testing a classic vca compressor with a great sound and very simple to use. You will notice in the photo that the attack is set to the slowest 30ms setting and the dual setting for release. The warm audio buscomp is an allanalog, 2 channel, stereo vca compressor based on classic circuitry that has provided silky smooth tone for decades. The alpha compressor plugin is the software version of our famous analog mastering compressor. Nov 25, 20 lets kick off with a stunning tripledecker unit, and one of the best software emulations of analogue gear that weve encountered to date.
Superior performance and an incredible tone makes the provla ii and indispensable tool for tracking, mixing, mastering, dynamic control of live sound sources or for use in broadcast audio. Here are the best free mastering vst plugins online that can be used with fl studio, reason, ableton live, and other vst supported software. Most mastering engineers use high thresholds and low ratios typically 1. Accurately modeled after the original 70s blueface version of a classic and soughtafter vca compressor the sc5 audio plugin opens up a whole world of versatility. Maserati beyonce, jay z applies an ssl gmaster buss compressor to a hihat loop. These names are for different circuit designs, for the part that actually follows and reacts to your signal level, and the way in which it reacts. Warm audio buscomp analog 2channel stereo vca compressor. The attack and release times are not continuously variable but discrete on most units and thus easier to reproduce, but threshold and makeup gain require a bit more attention to set the. The result is a fat sound, which is similar to a tape recording, but integrates better into the mix due to the highly developed analog circuitry.
The ultimate rhythm section compressor, comp vca65 is a perfectly recreated vca compressor with a modern twist. The vbcs are unofficially sourced from three classic designs. Gmlsontec inspired distopik precision series mastering eq. Digital processors, either in hardware or software plugin format, can also be used. Best vca compressor plugins and goto settings on 2bus youtube. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. Digital processors, either in hardware or software plugin format, can also be used for mixbus compression. You cannot achieve a recording or a mix that matches what you hear on professional releases without a compressor. The best vocal compressors for studioquality audio. The tg mastering chain has been in use in the abbey road studios ever since the early 70s.
The fg401 is a hybrid emulation that draws its sound and character from several vca compressors such as the ssl 4000 channel compressor, empirical labs distressor, dbx 160a, and others. In this guide, well level out which compressors are which. Super gentle compression to smashedup live drums the blueface sc5 handles it all. Dtc 1 is perfect for trackingmixing and very useable for transparent compression during mastering. Audio compressors compressors, limiters, and gates offer reliable dynamic controls for your critical recordings. Jan 19, 2020 the best vocal compressor for voice, bass, drums, and any other audio signal is the topmost studioquality one you can afford. Mar 24, 2015 vca compressor plugins comparison the third and final in a series of parallel tests of compressor plugins is a comparison of vca compressors. Gsonique dtc1 is modeled after analog vca based voltage controlled amplifier analog bus compressors that are known for its transparency and clear sound without lot of coloration and distortion. C165a vca compressor with saturating limiter punch. This bundle is guaranteed to infuse your mixes with both mojo and definition to make them perform their best. Choose from optical compression, vca compression, or both in series, for unprecedented dynamic control with a mastering grade signal path optical section provides smooth, program dependent leveling, just like a classic audio leveler from the late60s. To start with, the mastering compressor sports stereo and dualmono modes to fit any application, and separate optical and discrete compression sections for twostage compression techniques. The blackface sc5 is a feedback compressor design, thus feeding an external sidechain input into the existing feedback loop circuit would result in feedforward topology, which would result in different compression behaviour. Best compressor settings for vocals, guitars, drums and more.
Shadow hills industries highly coveted and equally highly priced shado hills mastering compressor is the latest addition to the long list of classic studio hardware offered in software form by universal audio. Fggrey, the vertigo vsc2 compressor by brainworx is also a vca type compressor. The fg grey is modeled after the classic ssl 4000 buss compressor. Stereo vca compressors are masterful at controlling dynamics on many sources, but they have become widely known for their magic touch on stereo mixes. Span is a free realtime fast fourier transform audio. Pro vla ii two channel vactrolbased compressor art. Vcatype compressors voltage controlled amplifier based in my experience, can be tuned to sound like optos, fets, etc. Vca designs also have a colourful sound quality, but the colour involved is quite unlike that obtained from tube designs. Different variations of the vca bus compressor, software and hardware alike, have slightly different internal levels and settings at the same knob positions. Best compressor settings for vocals, guitars, drums and. Shadow hills industries mastering compressor features. Sporting two channels of compression, limiting, and a stereo field editor, this unit looks to be a multifaceted tool for improving upon your sound. Compressing the entire master output of your mixing desk or daw is an ageold trick of mixing engineers to achieve a more compact and lively.
The second stage is our discrete classa vca compressor. Knif soma eq knif varimu 2 compressor bettermaker 232p mk2 equalizer hendyamps michelangelo equalizer rupert neve designs master bus processor overstayer stereo vca compressor eq avalon design 747sp compressor eq sknote ms4 stereo pwm compressor mammoth cave audio wooly mammoth deluxe. Choose from optical compression, vca compression, or both in series, for unprecedented dynamic control with a masteringgrade signal path optical section provides smooth, program dependent leveling, just like a classic audio leveler from the late60s. Mastering compressor offers the cleanest compression weve heard to date, and its capable of extreme punch when required. Vca stands for voltage controlled amplifier, a type of mechanism found in many musical applications. For the most part it was derived from voxengo glisseq dynamic parametric equalizer and reproduces its spectrum analysis functionality. There are no electrolytic caps or ic chips in the audio. This section utilizes the same t4b optical attenuator as the la2a and la3a, but is optimized for mastering. Jun 15, 2017 as with equalization, the less compression you apply during mastering, the better the result. Comp vca65, comp vca65 plugin, buy comp vca65, download. This is arguably the most commonly used compressor phenotype in the corporeal universe. Span is a free realtime fast fourier transform audio spectrum analyzer aax, audiounit and mastering vst plugin for professional sound and music production applications. To sum everything up it would be safe to say that, of all of their analogue equivalents, solidstate voltage controlled amplifiers are providing the most precise and controllable gain manipulation.
This unit is found in many mastering studios throughout the world because of its ability. This beast of a plugin is based on a beast of a hardware unit that carries the same name. Apr 12, 2017 vca compressor utilize a voltage controlled amplifier in their compressor circuit. Vca compressor plugins comparison the third and final in a series of parallel tests of compressor plugins is a comparison of vca compressors. It changes character with each ratio, and is capable of mimicking punchy vca compressors, fat tube. It is comprised of an optical compressor and a vca compressor in series. Top 20 best compressors of all time attack magazine. The 7 best free vst compressor plugins available today. In specific applications, you can find vca compressors in almost all aspects of audio, from tracking to mixing to mastering. Dtc1 one of most transparent vst compressor for mix and. In cooperation with the code experts from brainworx, our ultimate flagship was made available as a software plugin version. Blueface sc5 70s vca compressor black rooster audio. This bundle is guaranteed to infuse your mixes with both mojo and definition to make them perform their best in the club, laptop or phone.
Stereo vca compressors are masterful at controlling dynamics on many sources, but they have become widely known for. Comp 160 compressor fat channel plugin simple, yet effective vca compressor factory refurbished this item has been 100% tested for proper operation and carries the full manufacturers limited warranty. Tk audio bc1s stereo vca compressor mastering mixbus otb with stepped knobs ssl. Considered to be a classic bus compressor, the api 2500 is a vca style. Vca, fet, optical, variablemu and digital compressor plugins. This makes it applicable to almost anything, from mastering tasks to taming down exaggerated transients. Even more importantly, with just a couple of exceptions, most of the compressors on our list have been modelled and emulated by software developers over recent years. Yet it always maintains its own pleasant and characteristic tone. It combines a modern flexible vca compressor with a downstream transient shaper. In this video davids favorites vca compressors plugins for 2019. The input stage is transformer balanced, followed by our fully discrete optical compressor. Warm audio buscomp 2channel stereo vca bus compressor. Grab them for either mac or pc and install them on any daw.
1548 1431 485 578 122 1518 1676 451 117 911 1285 421 407 1063 1091 659 1305 150 339 1300 293 451 486 1040 1607 56 1196 1079 1503 1191 1670 1270 186 665 1473 1315 976 46 252 1015