Al
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« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2008, 07:54:28 PM »
I guess Brad and Bob use both together....
So you have never felt the need to combine the ocl2 and the API 2500 comp...
Nice tip about the 2500. It may help the ocl2 in tough chores.
Does it have fixed attack times only? I will pick its pdf.
BTW...Steve, your mastering rack is terrific!!!
Thanks
Anyone else?
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« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2008, 08:12:26 PM »
Al
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« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2008, 08:57:10 PM »
You may take a look at the HEdd 192.
I have been pretty satisfied with it.
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« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2008, 09:57:10 PM »
I'd say that on at least 80% of my projects I use both the OCL-2 and the STC8. The OCL-2 is GREAT at adding that 'thwack' to a project in a manner that pleases even the audiophile, non-compression types while being able to nicely tighten the bottom and add some 'glue' to the mix rather transparently. Def a go-to box in fast attack mode with a HPF on the SC.
The STC8 is my 'averaging' box - it does some very nice things on the bottom end as well as overall tightening of the mix. It does a great job of cleaning up the image, if that makes sense - it really seems to make room for the midrange in the center without sacrificing the bottom one bit. FWIW, I probably see the GR meters moving on my STC8 <1% of the time.
With the right tubes in the OCL-2, the two are an astounding combo, imo. I have zero desire to even look at other compressors.
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« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2008, 10:52:02 PM »
Brad have you ever tested this API 2500?
Lately I have seen other "fancy" boxes people here do not mention very much, like the Millenia compressor and the Termionic Culture Phoenix.
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« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2008, 10:58:02 PM »
| bblackwood wrote on Mon, 01 December 2008 21:57 |
I'd say that on at least 80% of my projects I use both the OCL-2 and the STC8. The OCL-2 is GREAT at adding that 'thwack' to a project in a manner that pleases even the audiophile, non-compression types while being able to nicely tighten the bottom and add some 'glue' to the mix rather transparently. Def a go-to box in fast attack mode with a HPF on the SC.
The STC8 is my 'averaging' box - it does some very nice things on the bottom end as well as overall tightening of the mix. It does a great job of cleaning up the image, if that makes sense - it really seems to make room for the midrange in the center without sacrificing the bottom one bit. FWIW, I probably see the GR meters moving on my STC8 <1% of the time.
With the right tubes in the OCL-2, the two are an astounding combo, imo. I have zero desire to even look at other compressors.
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Brad - So you actually have both in line on the same track for the majority of stuff you need analog compression on? Or are you more often using just one at a time? I find I really like the OCL-2 on things where I need a high ratio / high threshold - i.e. it seems to shine on acoustic rock with an overly prominent vocal, or jazz where I just want to control a few elements from popping out without overly coloring the mix - but to date I haven't really gotten totally satisfying results where I want lots of "thwack" and a little glue in comparison to my other compressor options (and I've done a very similar tube upgrade for the OCL-2 as you have). Best regards, Steve Berson
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« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2008, 11:00:50 PM »
Al
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« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2008, 11:23:04 PM »
| TotalSonic wrote on Mon, 01 December 2008 21:58 |
Brad -
So you actually have both in line on the same track for the majority of stuff you need analog compression on?
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Yep, both most of the time. Very small amounts of overall GR, but both working in tandem is far more common than not...
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« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2008, 11:37:24 PM »
Dave McNair has the API and I can say the effect on the bottom end is exactly as Steve describes it: tight. The STC8 works really well in M-S. If you get used to setting the make-up gain by feel and not worry too much about it being potentially un-recallable (though a Teaboy recall sheet for this looks like it might be a good solution...) it can really fill up the middle perfectly. I have also been experimenting with using the peak limiter on the sides of busy mixes to create a subtle cushion. In this case I set it to not register on the LEDs and I just try to hear how it is coloring the top end. Brad is right on about the GR meter indicators, esp. on the mid in M-S. Just a blip and you're good.
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« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2008, 11:16:16 AM »
There's a 2500 on the Bay of E right now.
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« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2008, 06:54:32 PM »
| TotalSonic wrote on Tue, 02 December 2008 15:00 |
I demoed the Thermionic Phoenix (regular "non-mastering" version) and found the controls to be a bit tweaky feeling as well as interactive with each other to the point it was hard to dial the desired sound in. I also felt that it had a very strong sonic signature that I couldn't imagine being able to use on a lot of the tracks I get in - so ended up passing on it. OMMV!
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Ditto, Steve. And I've not used the STC-8 in M-S mode, nor used an API 2500 (it certainly appears flexible) but have had the Vertigo with either the STC-8 or even the LTD-2's working nicely together indeed (very percussive folk style project in need of some tone colour but transparent gain reduction). If not for the LTD-2's it would've been the STC-8 but with less vibe. The Vertigo just rocks for fast, clean VCA compression or gentle auto release (non-linear but with fast transient response) and can be set up to emulate the LTD-2's, though in this case I tried it in Soft (variable ratio) mode. Have fired up the Vari-MU maybe twice this year, but it's great having the option there.
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« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2008, 03:23:20 AM »
The STC-8/M is my averaging box as well. Plays very nice with the Chandler LTD-2's as well. When I want it, lightly double compressing works great. When they are in line, I tend to use the Chandler's set fairly fast.
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« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2009, 04:59:59 PM »
I almost always have two comps in line in my chain as well: STC8M into Summit DCL200, each hardly compressing, I just like what each adds to the sound even when hardly compressing and like Brad, I almost never see my GR meters blink on the STC8, it seems to do some compression to my ears even when the meters are still and you have to be careful it doesn't bite in too much, for sure I keep the attack time opened up on most stuff. I have a C2 as well but mostly use it on drum bus, I would really like to try the API....
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