Fairchild Techniques

[BTLG]

What's everyone using this on?

These days I'm finding the mono version great for vocals and the stereo for drum compression (try turning the bias pretty far down, you get some really great not-subtle-yet-not-squashing compression).

 

[Fundy]

I have found it adds much needed tightness to a mix, although not as refined as the Neve 33609, it certainly contributes a much less digital sound than some native software plug-ins.

 

[BTLG]

I don't think it has anything to do with it being native or not - it's all a matter of whatever coding they put into the thing.

I tried throwing it across a 2 mix , and didn't really dig it, maybe I need to play with it some more. I think a lot of the key lies in turning the bias down a bit.

 

[Akis]

Agrred, native or DSP doesn't mean anything.

I like the Fairchild on vocals, where you can really compress hard without making it sound squashed, piano, where you can squash the hell out of it and hear it, too, and also lead guitar tracks (bluesy).

 

[Arys Chien]

To my ears, the F670 plug-in has this \"elegant character\" that other UAD-1 compressor plug-ins just don't have.

If that's what I'm after for the sound, I'll use it. For example, a beautiful power chord for a lyrical ballad, or a silky and surreal vocal.

 

[BTLG]

It's become my go to compressor for vocals because it doesn't add the nasty artifacts of an 1176 (which can sometimes be desirable of course) and is more controllable than the LA2A.

 

[Fundy]

I think I was misunderstood in my prior statement, as what I was suggesting was that \"some\" plug-ins when native don't use as much computing power and pale in comparison (usually free).

Of course, you can't deny Waves sound good.

 

[BTLG]

heheh

I actually DON'T think the waves sound that good. The only plugs of theirs I like are the RBass, the dynamics section of the Rchannel, and......

I think that's it. I haven't tried the SSL bundle yet, but I've got no need to between the UAand URS stuff.

Matt

 

[John Lance]

To me, this compressor has a \"thickness\" the others don't. It can still sound sweet though in the right places. I'll use this on acoustic guitar and/or vocals sometimes instead of the LA-2A. Sometimes when I think the Fairchild would work, it simply comes across as too thick regardless of settings. Probably all of those (modeled) transformers in the signal path.

The LA-2A is a great compressor also: simple, and very musical with a wide range of material.

 

[mangel1234]

I was surprised how great the Fairchild sounded on drumset stereo room mics. It allows the short decay of the room to pass through with a natural sound, but clamps down on the early attack on kick, snare, toms and tightens them with a lot of focus. With the slightly long release, the cymbals don't get a fake-transient sound but sustain nicely. It has a similar pleasant effect like the 33609 does on a full drum buss. It also reminds me a little of Vintage Warmer on Overhead drums with a couple of decibels of 100 hz and 4 khz and moderate 'speed' compression. I still like what Fairchild is doing better than VW by a long shot.

 

[imdrecordings]

It's become my go to compressor for vocals because it doesn't add the nasty artifacts of an 1176 (which can sometimes be desirable of course) and is more controllable than the LA2A.

I agree, but would add that when slamming drums hard, through a buss, the Fairchild sounds more like a real 1176 (all button in mode or any mode) than the 1176LN. I own a 2-1176 and have compared the two. The "hair" it seems to add, when pushed, is almost identical. The only difference between the 1176LN and the F-670 is in the low-end dept. But F-670 & 2-1176 (hardware) pretty f'n close. This thing can do so much, I have only just scratched the surface. Only used on drums, so far. I imagine it would sound killer on a acoustic piano. Man I need to play with this comp a bit more. It really is cool. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BTLG]

yeah but, does the 2-1176 really sound like an 1176?

 

[imdrecordings]

yeah but, does the 2-1176 really sound like an 1176?

Yes.. of course it does...and that is also debatable, but I'm using my ears and giving my opinion between UA's Hardware and their software and what I own and have used. 1176LN (plug) sounds like a weak 1176 w/stereo adapter, to me. Where the f-670 (plug) comes close to the 2-1176 stereo hardware, for me, on a stereo buss... regardless of what UA was trying to model. I was speaking of either compressor on a stereo buss. This doesn't mean I don't think the 1176LN is good compressor. I love it. I haven't really used the f-670 on individual instruments, like the 1176LN. I use them both. If they ever wanted to rename the Fairchild, 2-1176 would fit perfectly. ha! :wink:

 

[BTLG]

I was tongue in cheek referring to the Urei models and wondering how similar the new UA hardware sounds to the old stuff.

 

[imdrecordings]

I was tongue in cheek referring to the Urei models and wondering how similar the new UA hardware sounds to the old stuff.

UA stuff sounds and works better!
Every Urei I've ever worked with has been either broken or completely different, but still sounds cool, non the less. Or in the case of the broken ones, looks cool. (red stripe, black or silver)Black ones are farely consistent. But comparison is almost impossible with Ureis.. and don't worry. I got your dry sense of humor. You're tongue and check? My tongue hangs out of my mouth!.blahh .ha! that made no sense.

-s-

 

[BTLG]

True, comparison is more or less impossible with all that old gear. It's amazing that any of that stuff still works...

 

[NuSkoolTone]

I love the fairchild on Vox groups. Also I've like it on the Drum Buss.

It can work on the Main bus, but generally it's not what I'm looking for there.

 

[Awesom-o]

I sometimes use the Fairchild to enhance the stereo field when mastering. Set it to LAT-VERT mode and un-link the sidechain. Now the mono and mid-side components are being compressed independently. If you set the controls right, you can create some cool movement effects within the stereo field. I've foud this works best when used in parallel (eg when the Fairchild is fed via a send) to the original material, and you have an EQ in front of the Fairchild to roll off the bottom end and prevent muddiness.

 

[mangel1234]

I was curious about this.
So, if sidechain is linked does lat-vert work like mid-side with other compressors? I know it was made for the Fairchild for mastering records and controlling mono-bass and needle movement.
The only experimenting I've done with lat-vert was testing it in true mono to see if the phasey effect cancelled anything out. The settings I used folded to mono.
I'd love some insight to what exactly is happening to the timing when sidechain is unlinked. I don't think I would want to master with that feature personally, but for individual instruments and sections grouped it could be useful.