Good 2buss compressor ... UAD or anyone try Sonalksis???

[Straticus]

I'm looking for a good 2buss compressor and since UAD doesn't seem to have anything for this purpose (I really like the Fairchild but it's very colored), I started looking elsewhere. Is there a UAD compressor that you like on the 2buss?

I just downloaded the Sonalksis demo and really like the SV-315 compressor. Has anyone tried this one? The demo comes with four plug-ins. The SV-315 comp plus the SV-517 EQ (one of the best EQ plug-ins I've ever heard!), and two multiband dynamic plug-ins.

So my basic question is, has anyone tried the Sonalksis plug-ins and if yes, what do you think of them and what UAD compressor plugins are comparable to them???? I'm not really looking for a multiband comp. Just something that sounds really good on the main outs.

BC

 

[xist2005]

I think Sonalksis and UAD's stuff are quite different style. Both very good in my opinion, and the SV315 is much more \"trasparent\".

 

[Medway]

The Sonalksis comp is excellent, deffinatly on par with the UAD stuff. Best native one I've heard.

 

[Straticus]

Thanks for the replies.

Is there anything from UAD that you feel is a good 2bus comp? This 15% off thing is making the UAD stuff even more tempting.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

The 1176LN is excellent on a drum 2-bus & parallel compression. I personally prefer the Sonalksis on the main bus over any of the UAD plugs.

Have you looked into the Waves SSL 4000 Collection yet? Myself, I'd probably get it if I didn't already have the Sonalksis.

 

[electro77]

I've heard good things about this
http://www.voxengo.com/product/marquiscomp/

 

[Dan Duskin]

Polysquasher is excellent on the mix-bus

 

[lordward]

The 1176LN is excellent on a drum 2-bus & parallel compression. I personally prefer the Sonalksis on the main bus over any of the UAD plugs.

Have you looked into the Waves SSL 4000 Collection yet? Myself, I'd probably get it if I didn't already have the Sonalksis.

It's interesting that you like the 1176 on a drum buss, I find the stereo image to be kind of strange to be honest, very noticeable if you have a widely panned drum fill going on. I find the fairchild is much better for this but there is the problem of low freq attenuation.

The Waves SSL 4000 is for me by far the best buss compressor (plugin) out at the moment, especially if you want "meaty" drums. In comparison to the Sonalksis, well, there really is no comparison. The Sonalksis is much too clean for a drum buss comp, IMO.

I guess at the end of the day they are all usable, somehow.....

 

[xist2005]

Probably it depends also on what kind of music you do...

For example, would the SSL stuff be useful to people doing electronic music as well?

 

[secretworld]

On 8 out of 10 songs I love the fairchild on the masterbus.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

It's interesting that you like the 1176 on a drum buss, I find the stereo image to be kind of strange to be honest, very noticeable if you have a widely panned drum fill going on.

Could be. I don't pan drums wide so it's not something I would've noticed. I remember going to SRS Labs & hearing what their process did to the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DVD, it sounded like the conga player's arms were each 15' long.

Anyway, I agree that the Fairchild is good for this, the only reason I didn't mention it is because the poster already said he's looking for something else.

 

[Straticus]

It's interesting that you like the 1176 on a drum buss, I find the stereo image to be kind of strange to be honest, very noticeable if you have a widely panned drum fill going on.

Could be. I don't pan drums wide so it's not something I would've noticed. I remember going to SRS Labs & hearing what their process did to the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DVD, it sounded like the conga player's arms were each 15' long.

Anyway, I agree that the Fairchild is good for this, the only reason I didn't mention it is because the poster already said he's looking for something else.

Actually, I sort of like the Fairchild on the master bus but I've also heard that it's too colored and that you can lose highs. But if a lot of people like the Fairchild on the master bus, that's what I want to know.

I'm trying to get an idea about what would be a good comp for the master bus. If UAD makes it, all the better.

Thanks.

 

[Ashermusic]

The Sonalksis comp and EQ are excellent.

 

[xist2005]

Jay, which kind of settings you use on them on this case? Would you be so kind to share with us?

 

[taylor]

my favorite bus compressor is the Sony Oxford Dynamics for powercore. nice and transparent...

i've also used the URS 1970 compressor on the mix.. but only in a live situation when i didn't have my powercore with me... it seemed to be good.. but, again, it was a live situation, so harder to tell critically..

but, Oxford it is for me.. (until maybe Duende comes out..!)

 

[Ashermusic]

Jay, which kind of settings you use on them on this case? Would you be so kind to share with us?

It is different on different projects but generally just a little. I am not trying to achieve the maximum possible perceived loudness that those making radio ready recordings are trying to achieve. I use it to put the sound a little bit more in your face. If I am looking for more color then I go with a UA comp but I am overall still far more likely to use comps on tracks/busses than on the mix output. Usually I use the Precision Limiter lightly for that.

 

[maq]

my favorite bus compressor is the Sony Oxford Dynamics for powercore. nice and transparent...

As was mine until the Waves SSL came out.
Love 'em or hate 'em, Waves has a great product here.

 

[ed1966]

Actually, I sort of like the Fairchild on the master bus but I've also heard that it's too colored and that you can lose highs.

Thanks.

Not necessarily true. Setting the Fairchild up isn't the most intuitive thing in the world but it can sound wonderful beyond words.

If I had to live with native compression I'd probably use PSP Mastercomp (The "link ,"tilt" and paralled compression features are great) or Voxengo Marquis.

 

[panziniman]

I agree with the Fairchild being colored, (I tend to lose on the low end though) and I agree that is pretty tricky to get it to sound how you want to..can anybody share some presets or starting settings that work on most programs? ( i mean real world stuff not factory presets..)
Thanks

 

[bob humid]

I'm looking for a good 2buss compressor and since UAD doesn't seem to have anything for this purpose (I really like the Fairchild but it's very colored), I started looking elsewhere. Is there a UAD compressor that you like on the 2buss?

I just downloaded the Sonalksis demo and really like the SV-315 compressor. Has anyone tried this one? The demo comes with four plug-ins. The SV-315 comp plus the SV-517 EQ (one of the best EQ plug-ins I've ever heard!), and two multiband dynamic plug-ins.

So my basic question is, has anyone tried the Sonalksis plug-ins and if yes, what do you think of them and what UAD compressor plugins are comparable to them???? I'm not really looking for a multiband comp. Just something that sounds really good on the main outs.

BC

absolutely check out the PSP MasterComp and Voxengo´s Polysquasher 1st. it is exactly what you are looking for. especially the PSP. it is even a very powerful mastering compressor. it´s true, there is no such functionality in the UAD-range yet..

rumors go that algorithmix will issue a new stereo-compressor soon that is supposed to literally wipe-out all other stereo-compressors on the native market - as it happened with the RED EQ and other linear EQs.. but then it will be around 1200,- euros for the plug I estimate

sonalskis is fine but it doesnt come close the PSP MC or the Polysquasher in my subjective view..

my cheap 50 cents

robert