rjd2 wrote on Mon, 02 March 2009 16:21 |
hi folks, im wondering if any of you have any suggestions for limiters in this price range(3-4k, could maybe push this closer to 5k if needed). since i do alot of tracking one instrument at a time, im considering picking up one really nice limiter that almost everything would go through. having variable attack/release times is a big plus, as well as stereo inputs.
stylistically, the "sheen" of modern rock records is not something im after. im more chasing your typical ghosts of classic rock and soul records(otis redding/stevie/ELO/queen/etc). i know thats probably more info than necessary, just trying to give a better idea of my sonic leanings.
i also like the fact that i could return to mercenary if it doesnt suit my needs. anything else i should be looking at? an 1176 is currently the "nicest" limiter i have, and gets a ton of use. used/vintage or new/warrantied, doesnt really matter to me. thanks for any advice.
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Hey RJD2, Firstly, let me express that I am a HUGH FAN of your productions/music. GREAT work!! Perhaps we may even have similar aesthetics/personal tastes, as I do a lot of instrumental "east coast underground" style, tiphop/hiphop/boom-bap music. My stuff is heavily oriented with samples from old records, blended with real instruments and synthesized ones. Needless to say, I highly appreciate your productions. The Manley Vari MU is wonderful limiter for a lot of applications. I find it to be incredibly LARGE sounding, while its capable or mucho gain reduction action, it keeps the depth in tact, and makes the signal bigger than before. You can shave like 10 DB of a vocal without hearing any adverse "grabbing" and it will add some really musical thickness. Its really syrupy, colored, and very dense sounding. Some people might even find it TOO big, but not me. Bring on the warmth and tone!!! To my ear, this unit has some pretty "round" and rich warmth that lets you know you are using a Manley compressor.
Perhaps the amount of HF softening is a turn off to some, but I like the warm top of Manley gear. It might be considered slightly dark sounding. I find it makes me a better engineer most days. I think its excellent for tracking/mixing: bass/drums/samples/ambient stuff/room/strings/whatever! For me; its always been a versatile limiter, where "I want a sound" with truck loads of clean limiting ability. At this price point, there are a myriad of AWESOME compressor/limiters, but I certainly think the VMU can be classified as a "desert Island" beast, in my experience anyway. Another to recommend: The Thermionic Culture Phoenix, which is immensely colored, and old school sounding. This one "adds a simonize" to the top end, adding a very cool clarity, [who knew?]. It is also highly capable of truck loads of compression. I think all Thermionic equipment is a time machine to the old school, so it might be worth a shot to try.