Which Compressor and EQ Plug-ins should I buy?

[TCW]

Hi All,

I have the UAD-1 Project Pak, but I want to upgrade my eq and compression options. My style is rock (Coldplay, Live, U2, Radiohead) and I will be using the comp and EQ for mixing vox, guitars and bass (no drums...I use programs for that). I will NOT be mastering the music myself. Just tracking and mixing.

For compressors, I'm deciding between the 1176LN, LA-2A, and the Fairchild. The vocals get the royal treatment here, so whichever one works best with vox wins.

For EQ, I'm deciding between the Pultec Pro (cheap), or the 1073 (not cheap). The 1073 is pretty pricey, but I could be convinced if it makes a big difference on vox and instruments.

For verb, I've decided to go with the Plate 140.

(FWIW, My mics are AT4060 (vox) and sm57 (guitar cab) and MXL603 for acoustic guitar. All go through a Great River ME-1NV preamp---> M-Audio Delta 44---> Mac running Digital Performer 4)

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

TCW

 

[imdrecordings]

For compressors, I'm deciding between the 1176LN, LA-2A, and the Fairchild. The vocals get the royal treatment here, so whichever one works best with vox wins.

Fairchild... Great for vocal and acoustic guitar.

For EQ, I'm deciding between the Pultec Pro (cheap), or the 1073 (not cheap). The 1073 is pretty pricey, but I could be convinced if it makes a big difference on vox and instruments.

Pultec pro... if your looking for something to sweetin up the vocal.

For verb, I've decided to go with the Plate 140.

-yes

I based my decision on your mic selection and what you said is important to you. I wouldn't have picked thos e for me, but they seem appropriate for what it is you are doing / looking for.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

TCW

Your welcome

 

[djsynchro]

I think the LA2A and the 1176LN are the best to get.
LA2A is smooth and 1176 can be dirty and agressive. They are both killer compressors for bass, drums, snares, parallel compression.

I have the Pultec pro and it's really good but I'm thinking of getting one of the Neve's

 

[brian]

I would go with either the 1176 or Fairchild for rock vocals. The 1176 might work better in parallel on vox if you don't want it to sound too gritty (versus straight on the vox track). 1176 and the 670 both are nice on bass but sound pretty different. The Urie can add some cool distortion if you need it.

The PultecPro is certainly more tweakable than the Neve and considerably cheaper. When I demoed the 1073 I was really impressed with it on guitars, drums and bass though. Start your demo period and compare them, it's really the only way to tell.

 

[MASSIVE Mastering]

LA2A + Pultec = Wonderful vocal treatment.

 

[wishingwell]

LA2A + Pultec = Wonderful vocal treatment.

I concurr!

I'd also like to add that the Neve 1081 is great on Vocals too, i like it better then 1073 usually on vocals.

 

[Paul Woodlock]

LA2A + Pultec = Wonderful vocal treatment.

I concurr!

I'd also like to add that the Neve 1081 is great on Vocals too, i like it better then 1073 usually on vocals.

I used to use 1176 + pultec on vocal. Currently I'm into using 33609 + 1081 + PMB ( de-essing and low mid taming )

 

[TCW]

I would go with either the 1176 or Fairchild for rock vocals. The 1176 might work better in parallel on vox if you don't want it to sound too gritty (versus straight on the vox track).

What would give it the 'grit'..the 1176 or the Fairchild?

Have you tried the LA2A?

TCW

 

[brian]

Depending on how you use the 1176 it can add some grit. Getting some pretty aggressive limiting with it in parallel with the uncompressed track yields some really nice rock vocal sounds though. The LA2A is nice too, I really like tracking vocals through the hardware version.

 

[imdrecordings]

Depending on how you use the 1176 it can add some grit. Getting some pretty aggressive limiting with it in parallel with the uncompressed track yields some really nice rock vocal sounds though. The LA2A is nice too, I really like tracking vocals through the hardware version.

Thanx Brian
I don't know why I didn't think to use a distorted 1176LN in parallel compression, for rock. It seems perfect..awesome.

I gotta start using Parallel Compression way more...

 

[Dan Duskin]

LA2A + Pultec = great vocals, & sounds great on most instruments

LA2A+1081 = sounds great on most instruments, more flexible than pultec

 

[Arys Chien]

I used to use 1176 + pultec on vocal. Currently I'm into using 33609 + 1081 + PMB ( de-essing and low mid taming )

+1.

To TCW:

Why don't you just do one or two mixes with your 14-day demo versions? Remember that your decision mostly bases on YOUR singer, YOUR players, YOUR mic and mic pre and ad converter, YOUR everything.

 

[Paul Woodlock]

Depending on how you use the 1176 it can add some grit. Getting some pretty aggressive limiting with it in parallel with the uncompressed track yields some really nice rock vocal sounds though. The LA2A is nice too, I really like tracking vocals through the hardware version.

1176 in "all buttons mode" as a parallel compressor is great for drums